The swap itself shouldn't be too hard because GM sold a ton of manual transmission trucks in the '70s and early '80s. Look for a donor truck you can get the SM 465 transmission and NP 205 transfer case from as well as the clutch linkage, flywheel, clutch and brake pedal assemblies, shifters, bellhousing, and transmission mount and crossmember. Using the donor truck as a guide, this swap should be a bolt-in. Change the gear lube in both gear boxes, buy a new clutch and pressure plate, and then have the flywheel resurfaced at a local machine shop to make sure you don't have any problems. We don't know exactly what transmission you have right now, so we'd plan a few extra days for the swap in case you need to have your current driveshafts modified.
You Want to Outrun a Semi, Eh?
My project started off as a '94 F-150 4x4 but was transformed into an F-350 after I performed a frame swap and added a Dana 60 up front and a 1011/44-inch full-floating axle in the rear. Both axles were stuffed with 4.56 gears. The rearend houses a Detroit Locker, and the front is welded. The only problem I'm having now is with towing. I occasionally pull a 15,000-pound, 35-foot, fifth-wheel trailer. Usually I run 38.5 Swampers but when I'm hauling, 36 Cepeks take over. With the setup and a stock 300ci six-cylinder, everything passed me going down the road. Needless to say the straight-six didn't stay in long after that. I have since found a little more grunt out of a 514ci big-block.
I'm still not happy with what should have been asphalt-ripping torque (my goal is to outrun that semi over the Grapevine), so I'm leaning toward lower gears. I would like to install somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.13s or lower. I know the Dana 60 will accept these gears, but I heard from friends that the 1011/44-inch rear won't. On the other hand I know that friends aren't always the best source of advice. Do you know anyone who makes gears lower than 4.56 for my 1011/44-inch full-float?
FC1 Hinojosa Corey
CM Div., USS Vicksburg
Yes, as a matter of fact we do. If you want 5.13s call Superior Axle & Gear (888/522-2953, www.superioraxle.com). To get 5.38s call Randy's Ring and Pinion (877/349-1367, www.ring-pinion.com). For a long time it was hard to find any gear lower than a 4.56 for this axle. Now that Super Duty trucks are so popular the aftermarket has come through with just what you need. These gears will work with your older 1011/44-inch axle as well as the new Sterling 1011/42-inch axle found in most Super Duty trucks. Just make sure to use the correct pinion bearings for the gears, and ask if your particular application requires a different pinion yoke.
Submission information: Questions should be as brief and concise as possible. We will answer as many letters as possible each month, but due to the large volume of mail, we cannot send personal replies. Letters are subject to editing for length, as space permits. Always check state regulations before modifying a vehicle with pollution controls or one that will be driven on the street. Write to: Nuts & Bolts, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515, fax 323/782-2704, e-mail david.kennedy@primedia.com