The Quest For Overdrive . . .

[DoubleDingo]

In the context of manuals (specifically excluding automatics with OD, as they generally lockup providing additional
benefits) OD probably won’t matter as much as a useable gear spread and appropriate final drive ratio for reasonable freeway speeds.

I still think if your trans needs to be replaced with another manual, a 465 will be a cost effective route. Those 3.55s should be a good blend of freeway and surface street. I had 33” tires, 3.73s and a th400 (1:1 with average converter slip) in my truck previously, and it was fine on the freeway.

Yep, a 29 or 30 inch tire and it's fun and useful

 

[DoubleDingo]

Good luck. I'm following, but you are in a crazy rabbit hole. Hope you make a good choice, if not, you'll be spending the money all over again to redo it a different way.

 

[Ricko1966]

I've learned so much about T5s these last few days. I was going to put one in my Chevelle build,but at a glance I didn't think it would live. But the Mustang guys and the Corvette guys have figured out how,and why they blow up,and how to fix and prevent it. Now I want to play with one again. That stamped steel retainer is too weak it let's the tapered bearings pushout and change the clearance between the mainshaft and the counter shaft the bearings are supposed to be preloaded to keep tolerances. A 20.00 part. Amazing!

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[bucket]

I've learned so much about T5s these last few days. I was going to put one in my Chevelle build,but at a glance I didn't think it would live. But the Mustang guys and the Corvette guys have figured out how,and why they blow up,and how to fix and prevent it. Now I want to play with one again. That stamped steel retainer is too weak it let's the tapered bearings pushout and change the clearance between the mainshaft and the counter shaft the bearings are supposed to be preloaded to keep tolerances. A 20.00 part. Amazing!

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I don't know much about them either. But I know it takes much more than that to make them significantly stronger. A good used T56 was always a cheaper proposition, so that's been my go-to.

Also, I do not know at what power level it becomes an issue, but the case itself can be a weak point.

 

[peats]

Your budget is simply too small to do what you want. I would just leave it alone.

 

[legopnuematic]

Why not go for the rubber overdrive (taller tires)? If you have 235/75/15s now, a 31” tire will drop about 200rpm.

You could probably shove a 33” tire on the rear if you wanted to without any issues. Atleast for a proof of concept, swapping tires is a lot easier and cheaper than finding a different trans, potential regear in the rear, just to find out the combo isn’t as good as expected, etc.

 

[Grit dog]

Why not go for the rubber overdrive (taller tires)? If you have 235/75/15s now, a 31” tire will drop about 200rpm.

You could probably shove a 33” tire on the rear if you wanted to without any issues. Atleast for a proof of concept, swapping tires is a lot easier and cheaper than finding a different trans, potential regear in the rear, just to find out the combo isn’t as good as expected, etc.

Best idea yet for ease, budget and practicality.
But on the flip side @jjester6000 is a bright motivated resourceful young guy who also happens to be an old soul gearhead.
Depends if he has the time and potential extra funds to make the “perfect” version of his truck or not. God knows he’s about 90% there based on all the awesome work done along the way.
All in all you gotta really “want” to make a rattly, underpowered old car or truck a legit daily driver.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Jjester, first, good to see you post, haven’t seen you in ages, we might run in different circles. I bought a 700r4 with a 208 transferred case for 450. I am going to put it in my C20 W/ the 6.2 diesel. It is two inches longer though, but that low first gear is a gem for towing. It’s strong enough and if I take it apart, for a couple hundred, (4l60e center section) and a few other parts, you could run it behind a bb like I did with my th350.

 

[jjester6000]

Why not go for the rubber overdrive (taller tires)? If you have 235/75/15s now, a 31” tire will drop about 200rpm.

You could probably shove a 33” tire on the rear if you wanted to without any issues. Atleast for a proof of concept, swapping tires is a lot easier and cheaper than finding a different trans, potential regear in the rear, just to find out the combo isn’t as good as expected, etc.

Yeah, I'm already running 31's on there.

I'm thinking that I should just pick up an SM465 then put a 3:07 in the rear.

 

[DoubleDingo]

You've mentioned driving a truck before with an sm465, or maybe it was the sm420.

Did it have 4.10s, 4.56s, 3.73s?

If it had 3.55s you would want that setup.

You want 3.07s? Why?

 

[Ricko1966]

Jjester, first, good to see you post, haven’t seen you in ages, we might run in different circles. I bought a 700r4 with a 208 transferred case for 450. I am going to put it in my C20 W/ the 6.2 diesel. It is two inches longer though, but that low first gear is a gem for towing. It’s strong enough and if I take it apart, for a couple hundred, (4l60e center section) and a few other parts, you could run it behind a bb like I did with my th350.

How are you planning on running a 4wd 700r4 in a 2wd C20? Also a2wd Squarebody th350 and a 2wd 700r4 are close enough in length to swap, so you should be able to get away with a TH350 driveshaft if you have one.

 

[jjester6000]

You've mentioned driving a truck before with an sm465, or maybe it was the sm420.

Did it have 4.10s, 4.56s, 3.73s?

If it had 3.55s you would want that setup.

You want 3.07s? Why?

I' not quite sure about the gearing, but I'm assuming 4:56 since it was an old tow truck.

With the SM465 having the low first gear I wouldn't have any trouble leaving off, and a 3:07 in 4th gear would be a little better on the highway.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I' not quite sure about the gearing, but I'm assuming 4:56 since it was an old tow truck.

With the SM465 having the low first gear I wouldn't have any trouble leaving off, and a 3:07 in 4th gear would be a little better on the highway.

L is not 1st, it's granny gear. L is not synchronized. I don't think you absorb what you read, you have your heart set on it and are going to do it regardless of what experienced and knowledgeable people write or tell you.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

How are you planning on running a 4wd 700r4 in a 2wd C20? Also a2wd Squarebody th350 and a 2wd 700r4 are close enough in length to swap, so you should be able to get away with a TH350 driveshaft if you have one.

remove the 208 transfere, sorce a car or 2wd truck tailhousing. Use my 350 torque converter, should work.

 

[Rustisbest]