What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

How hard is it to convert from automatic to manual?

C

chvyblzr1977

Registered Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2001
Posts
83
Reaction score
0
Location
Pissburgh,pa
I have a 77 blazer with 350 automatic transmisson and i think the 203 transfer case.I wwant to put a sm465 and a 205 transfer case in it.I heard you had to change out rearends is this true anyways how hard is it for the do it yourselfer.Any info would greatly be appreciated thanks.
 
Never done the process, but I can tell you for sure you absolutely will not have to change out the rearend. /forums/images/icons/cool.gif
 
if you offroad much, you'll want a hydro clutch which is more expensive. I just priced the swap and with buying the tranny, tcase, shafts, clutch, ect ect, I was going to be well over $1K. It'd be a nice swap, but not for that kind of coin. You might also try using the SEARCH feature on this board. You'll get tons of great threads without starting a new one. /forums/images/icons/grin.gif
 
I made this swap well over a year ago. Costed me only a new clutch. I traded my th350/np205 setup for a sm465/np205 setup. No shaft modifications, it was the same length setup as my auto. Swapped everything in and bought a new clutch is all.

Hardest part was getting the clutch pedal bracket in, after that everything was cake. Total cost = $65
 
Yes please do a search...I've covered this topic myself too many times.Basically it's an two day job,go "hydro" and pull the trans tunnel cover.Do a search then if you have any Q's I'd be happy to help.I did the same swap(sort of)..went fron a TH350/203 to an SM465/208.I needed new rear shaft.Mike
 
I just finished this swap last month.

I went from a th350/203 to a
sm465/203/doubler/205.

I did the Hydro conversion.

Rear driveshaft is the same length! WOOHOO!

E.A.S.Y. My friend and I did this all in a weekend.

It took two months to get all the parts together though.
 
Hey would you mind putting up a list of parts that i would need for it.Do you have to change steering columns
 
Off the top of my head...

Flywheel
Shaft bushing for manual tranny, this goes into the crank
clutch
pressure plate
clutch fork and boot
clutch pedal assembly
clutch linkage (reason to go to Hydraulic)
sm465 bellhousing for mechanical linkage
sm465
sm465 to your favorite transfer case adapter
your favorite transfer case

You might also want to get the crossmember. Apparently a 205s adapter bolts are 1" narrower than a 203s adapter mounting bolts.

If you get a stock sm465 and adapter to a 203, and the 203, you will not need to modify your driveshafts.
 
Topoff and Krazie are good ones to talk to about this swap.
Topoff did the hydro in the old style cab conversion and documented it well
Krazie has great threads on this subject including some tranny work
Leadfoot has good images of step by step 205 rebuild....
there is a ton of great info here by tons of great ?members?(so what are registered but nonpaying people called now? just deadbeats? no wait freeloaders!) just use the search function I cannot think of any angle that hasnt been covered
 
I did it about 2 months ago.. pretty easy considering.

I swapped a TH350,NP203 to a SM465,NP203,NP205.

Almost everything lines up the same.

Issues I've had are:
-Hydraulic clutch from mechanical
-Front drive shaft lengthened (due to double T-case setup)
-I had 2 cross members and the primary one fit just fine, but the second one required a little grinding. (also due to double t-case setup)
-Custom shifter for 2 T-cases

That's it..

As far as cost, depends what you can find.

A used transmission will probably run you about $150
Same with a transfer case
Then it depends if you want to rebuild the items or not, rebuild kits are about $100
The hydraulic clutch cost me about $150
Of course the adapter to do dual t-cases is probably the most expensive.

So the moral of the story is if you don't want or need the dual t-cases or a hydraulic clutch you can do it quite easily and cheap.

Adam

'75 383,465,203,205,1/2ton axles (I'm workin on it), 35's
 
hee hee.. i bought a pickup (since I dont have a blazer) for $500 and swapped sheet metal!!!! NOW THAT IS EASY..

anyway.. yall talk about a hydrollic clutch... Why? what are the benefits and any links to info on this stuff? I am getting ready to swap in a motor soon so I will be there anyway....

last question..
dual transfer cases... what does that do for you?
is that only good for rock crawling?
and I thought if you are in 4high you are in 4 high.. no matter how many trasfer cases you have????

so someone give me an example of a truck with a smc465/np205/np205??? how would you operate it???
 
I did it last year. I thougt it was as easy as replacing a clutch. I had to get new driveshafts.

All linkage (except for the bracket that bolts to the frame) I got from junk yards. The bracket on the frame is rivited so I didn't attempt to cut it out. I bought one at my local Chevy dealer for $10. bucks.

If you can wait, get the bracket the pedals bolt to also. You'll have to cut the automatic one to work, but it still sucks. It bolts in anyway. I scored one from a junk yard for $20.00.

Also get the trans tunnel cover. It already has the holes cut so no modifications are necessary.

Replacing the steering column is not necessary, however I did because I wanted the truck to look stock.
 
Hyde. setup isn't affected by body flex (no linkage between the body and frame to bind or bend) and it's self adjusting as the clutch wears. It's a bit of a pain to bleed the slave cylinder, but thats the worst part...except FINDING the hydraulic stuff!
 
"Doubler" questions... go to www.offroaddesign.com

If you don't rock-crawl, you probably won't want to double up a 203 and 205 transfer cases.

If you DO rock-crawl.. why did you change your gears???

Because you want to go slowly when going off-road. Slow = traction
to go slow instead of going into 2:1 low range, you go into a 4:1 low range. Now that's slow.

Although, I thought it would be slower with the granny gear.
My super low is about the same speed as a lazy walk. /forums/images/icons/frown.gif
 
if he dosent end up needing it...i know kidjethro is lookin for the clutch stuff /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom