I just got a really stripped down 70 k-5. It needs all drivetrain but axles and maybee a t-case. It has a "bad" t-350 in it now. I am really thinking of throwing in a manual trans. It will be a tow rig.
I don't like the unpushability(is that a word) of the auto if something mech. goes wrong. I have to route coolers and shifters and shtuff. It has the colom shifter but I really don't care. It has a hole in the floor too. I was mostly wondering if I could get a newer 4 or 5 speed manual trans and hook it to a 205? Everything will be J-yard wars style purchase... I don't have a clutch pedal either....How hard is it to go back to the light side? I've done it in toys.....There hydrolic though...

I really dont think that it would be worth it to swap a manual into that truck. It would be easier and cheaper to find one with a manual already in it. I personally love auto's for towing. Sure are easy to drive. Especially when loading boats and the like. (when on steep ramps) Just get a remote filter and a temp gauge along with a nice cooler. Maybe think about a deep pan as well. Buy a shift kit and a good torque converter and you are good to go!

Thats alot of stuff, but its got to be easier than swaping in a manual. Note: 700r4's have a lower first gear than the 350 and 400's.

I could be wrong, I am definately biased toward autos:usa:

Run a TCI 2+ quart capacity deep aluminum pan (plumb the temp guage in the pan itself for a clear picture of how the trans it doing) and put the fattest, biggest transcooler you can fit on the front. I have both of those, and my trans never gets above 160* no matter what i do with it (i also have a k5 TH350 NP203 1-ton axles 4.10's and 39.5)

my best friend did a manual conversion in a similar rig and its no big deal.
you'll have to hang a new set of pedals, run the clutch linkage and of course find all the components. however, the stuff you need should be very easy to find at wrecking yards because there hardly is a more common rig than a chevy p/u ( or ford,... i know:flipoff2: ). you might want to opt for the sm465 cause they are stronger and newer than the sm 420 so parts will be easier to find. put a 205 behind it for the strength alone. you'll need the 10 spline input gear on it. also buy yourself a decent clutch kit, not some reman POS or a centerforce ( they're good for high rpm applications only and wear out way too fast in a normal rig.

i myself would stick with the auto (autos rule!;) ) but it's really up to you.:smokin:

I have been around a 70 3/4 ton 2wd for a long time. It's the "campermobille" it is standard and is great. It has the grannied 4 speed though. Man that part sucks. Then when in traffic while towing and you have to up shift then down shift it sucks!! Thats why I was wondering about a newer 4-or 5 speed w/o grannie low.
I also used to build 67-70 hotrod trucks that had t350's when I was younger (18 or so) Well I was poor and stupid and kept having "issues" with the truck. Well When that happened i couldn't push start it or nothing. I towed it once and left the driveshaft on and fubared the tranz. Well went to aamco and got fawking ripped off!!! like 1500-2000$? to rebuild it and then it wasn't right and shifted hard. blew up once litterally. I guess it gave me a bad taste or something. I guess with a decent torque converter and a B&M shift kit on the floor it wouldn't be all that bad... I'd have to spent almost that mutch money in hanging new peddals and clutch and all that anyways.... thatnx for the info....