77 manual to automatic

[scouthead]

I've searched a little here for the topic of swapping a 4 speed manual to an automatic. I'm curious what automatic transmission are people using? and is it possible to use the original shifter?

you've given us a run down on what you want to do with the blazer, but not a particular reason for changing to auto transmission - may I ask why the manual trans doesn't work for a:
-daily driver?
-5 hour trip to pick up the boat?
-launching the boat?

 

[tarussell]

It’s law down here in the south that all trucks must have three pedals unless there is a documented medical reason or better yet it’s a badass race truck - ya might get five to ten if ya swap in an auto and get caught around these parts!

 

[max 02]

1977 Colonial Yellow

77 Colonial Yellow

ck5.com

1977 Colonial Yellow

This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1977 Colonial Yellow. Please add to the discussion here.

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I've got a new engine that I'll put in sometime in December, possibly January. I'll use this as a daily driver. I like the idea of keeping it original. I don't want to paint it because the paint is original, at least I think most of it is.

I'll also use to to tow a boat. A 17' boat. Not a big deal. It will also take quite a few 5.5 hour trips. I travel from my home to a fishing location that is 5.5 hours away. The boat won't be towed that distance since it has a home where I fish. At most the boat will be towed 3-5 miles at a time. The 5.5 hour trips is what I'm thinking about the most. Keeping a manual has always been the plan, but I started over thinking the issue. An overdrive, 5th gear would be real nice. I have a friend that is an excellent mechanic that will help wtth the engine and transmission replacement. I think I'll have the transferase rebuilt just to know the condition of the vehicle.

I recently replace all the bearings and seals in the front end including replacing the hubs with Warn hubs. I put new carpet in it and insulated the floor side panels and doors.

Very nice looking Blazer!
I think it deserves a nice nv 4500 swap.

 

[imiceman44]

1977 Colonial Yellow

77 Colonial Yellow

ck5.com

1977 Colonial Yellow

This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1977 Colonial Yellow. Please add to the discussion here.

ck5.com

I've got a new engine that I'll put in sometime in December, possibly January. I'll use this as a daily driver. I like the idea of keeping it original. I don't want to paint it because the paint is original, at least I think most of it is.

I'll also use to to tow a boat. A 17' boat. Not a big deal. It will also take quite a few 5.5 hour trips. I travel from my home to a fishing location that is 5.5 hours away. The boat won't be towed that distance since it has a home where I fish. At most the boat will be towed 3-5 miles at a time. The 5.5 hour trips is what I'm thinking about the most. Keeping a manual has always been the plan, but I started over thinking the issue. An overdrive, 5th gear would be real nice. I have a friend that is an excellent mechanic that will help wtth the engine and transmission replacement. I think I'll have the transferase rebuilt just to know the condition of the vehicle.

I recently replace all the bearings and seals in the front end including replacing the hubs with Warn hubs. I put new carpet in it and insulated the floor side panels and doors.

If you are considering a swap i wouldn't touch the transfer case yet because it might be useless for the new transmission.
I will vote for an nv4500 or even nv3500 swap, either will get you the overdrive and ease of use,both will require a different transfer case

 

[mrk5]

For a daily driver, I would go automatic. 4l80e would be ideal in my book. Running a clutch on a daily driver is cool if you're a die hard like the guys in this thread stumping for a standard trans, but it's nice to drive an auto especially if you have a lot of stop and go traffic to deal with. You can leave the clutch pedal in the truck so you're still a "man" with 3 pedals.

You should do some research. None of the swaps will be "simple" if you want overdrive.

For auto you could do a 700r4 but the throttle valve cable setup can be tricky and it's pretty critical. The ideal is if you have factory TBI that came with those transmissions and then all the bracketry is straight forward. Anything else takes some messing with to get it right. I like the electronic controlled trans like the 4l60/80, but you will need a standalone controller to run those. Plus you gotta add a throttle position sensor. There are solutions, but it's a cost to be considered. If you have plans to put in aftermarket EFI, then you could look at options that include the transmission controller. Tricky part there is you'd need to do the EFI at the same time as the trans swap. The last thing that's already been touched on, is how you'll shift the auto trans. A floor shifter of some variety will be the most straight forward since you don't have a column with the factory auto trans shifter.

I don't know much about a NV manual swap. I do know you'll have to figure out the hydraulic clutch setup. Plenty of info about that around here. Good thing is you already have the clutch pedal so that's a plus.

Ultimately I would pick whichever setup makes you happy driving the truck.

 

[USSkoval]

I think the simplest overdrive swap, by far, would be the A833 overdrive 4-speed that was used in the 80's. Really the most difficult part of that is just locating one that is complete with the shifter.

 

[Z8987]

It's been awhile. I had a good friend install a new engine and a 5 speed manual. I like it so far. I'll have to go post somewhere else on here for my next question related to AC.