Author Topic: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4  (Read 15156 times)

Offline chevyman72

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Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« on: June 07, 2011, 10:42:03 am »
A friend of mine has a 94 1500 SWB stepside with a 350 CID and original T5 tranny. He has converted the 94 to carburetor. He wants my 700R4 from my 87 C10. I want his T5 to put in my 87 SWB 350 CID. I would like to know if anyone has made the swap. I know the T5 is not a heavy duty tranny but I don't haul or drag the truck. I know several  mods will have to be made. I need to know what pedal assembly to use and how to set it up to utilize the hydraulics. I need to know drive shaft mods, cross member mods, Seat mods, and etc....Any help would be appreciated.


Chevyman

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2011, 12:07:53 pm »
Shifter hole will need to be moved back about 4 inches.
use a pedal assembly from an 85-87.
Clutch cylinder from an 85-87
slave from the 94.
Make or modify the line between the two.
the cross member will need to be moved maybe 3" back
Your driveshaft will need to be lengthened or shortened then rebalanced depending on what you have.
This swap was very easy, the hardest part was bleeding the clutch line.
Also the trans from the '94 won't have a cable drive for the speedometer.
 

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2011, 05:29:14 pm »
btw, the trans in a '94 would have most likely been an nv3500 not a T-5. Also make sure you use syncomesh or comparable lube if you make the swap.

Offline chevyman72

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2011, 01:27:29 pm »
Appreciate your help. You are probably right. It may be a nv3500. That's probably better though. So you done the swap? What do you think about the shifting? What gears are you running in the rear?
Chevyman

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2011, 09:10:20 pm »
Just did this swap in march, I had the sm465 in it previously with a mechanical linkage. The shifting is great the gears are evenly spaced. I don't yet know what gears I have as of now as I just haven't gotten that far in this project. the gears are pretty tall; I have had first up to 27 mph and 2nd to 67 mph. Next up is new gauges.
If it is in the donor truck now, just take it for a drive.
I can help you with specifics if you do this swap as it is very fresh in my head yet.

Offline chevyman72

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 10:16:19 pm »
The 94 truck shifts nice with the 3.42 gears in the rear. Mine should really be nice with the 3.73 gears in the rear. How did the shifter fall out with the dash or seat? Did you use the factory stick that came with the NV3500? I did look into it and like you said it is a NV3500. Now I can understand moving the cross member and I can see adjusting the driveshaft but my concern is the pedal assembly. Ok once I locate an assembly it is pretty much an easy swap on the pedals? Now the fire wall should have to be drilled or modified. Do you have pics of where your reservor/master cylinder is located and how the linkage from the manual type clutch pedal assembly is transferred to the hydraulic reservor/master cylinder? If pics aren't available just a small explanation would be great. Thanks for your help and clarifying the tranny type.
Chevyman

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2011, 08:38:17 pm »
The shifter is back maybe 4" from the originial 4 speed.
the left pedal assembly is from an '85 and is the version you'll want to use.

the two bolt on the rods on either side of the clutch pedal actually mount against the firewall and go through and hold the clutch master cylinder in place.
here is the clutch cylinder in place

not my truck but it gives you the idea of the location, notice the fuse pane to the left (its the only place it will fit)

here is how I moved the shifter hole back; in this pic it is cut out, in the second it is swapped end for end, then I welded it in place.

[imghttp://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/titera1/0423111138.jpg]http://[/img]
A pic from the top with the tunnel piece removed

from the bottom

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2011, 08:54:21 pm »
just to be clear I swapped the entire pedal assembly and after 85 it is hydraulic, it is a straight forward swap but a little time consuming. you'll need to pull out the steering column and unbolt the brake booster.
i used a clutch cylinder from an 80 and the matching slave to my nv3500.
I bent a brake line from the clutch master and ran it below the trans where i used a union to match up to the line to the line out of the slave as it has a unique fitting that is held in place with a roll pin. 
I also made a template of the mounting surface of the clutch master. It Made it a little easier to line up; which i did from the inside of the cab.
btw I have a straight bench seat and no issues with clearance, I have a stock shifter but it has been shortened as it was planned for a differant project at one point but the originial would work nicely with out a problem. some day I may replace it with a hurst.

Offline chevyman72

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2011, 01:18:47 pm »
You have been a great help! I feel good about the project. Is your truck a play toy or work truck? Mine is strictly for fun. I am doing this for fun and sound. Thanks for your time and efforts.
Chevyman

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2011, 07:03:31 pm »
my truck is strictly for fun, the 5 speed definatey helps it out.
this helps too;

heres the rest of it;

Offline big bear

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2011, 12:41:38 am »
such a sweet truck

Offline chevyman72

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2011, 03:25:44 pm »
very nice! once again...thanks! I am in the process of locating my 85-87 pedal assembly/master slave. Another question about your tunnel. Mine is originally auto tranny and dont have the huge removable shifter plate that you modified. i wonder if this is something i can work out with my tunnel and look right in the end. Do you think i should locate that plate and also modify as you done?
Chevyman

Offline zieg85

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2011, 04:11:05 pm »
very nice! once again...thanks! I am in the process of locating my 85-87 pedal assembly/master slave. Another question about your tunnel. Mine is originally auto tranny and dont have the huge removable shifter plate that you modified. i wonder if this is something i can work out with my tunnel and look right in the end. Do you think i should locate that plate and also modify as you done?

I know I test drove one about a year ago with the same transmission that originally was a low hump 3 speed column shift and everything seemed to fit nicely but I didn't crawl under the truck to see if any modifications were made to it.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline 1980c10

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Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2011, 12:15:32 am »
very nice! once again...thanks! I am in the process of locating my 85-87 pedal assembly/master slave. Another question about your tunnel. Mine is originally auto tranny and dont have the huge removable shifter plate that you modified. i wonder if this is something i can work out with my tunnel and look right in the end. Do you think i should locate that plate and also modify as you done?
-I bought the master and slave new they are fairly cheap.
-keep in mind your tunnel will get covered in carpet anyway
-my solution would be to cut out the piece around the shifter hole out of a 90's p/u and weld it in place where it needs to be.
-when you cut it be sure to cut well beyond the screw holes for the shifter boot as well you can grind your weld smooth on top. On the bottom of the weld I used a rubberized type of undercoating to seal it just in case my weld wasn't water tight and to cut down on noise.
- a little extra effort on this part and you can make it look factory and it will be easier to install the shift boot.

Offline chevyman72

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  • 1987 C10 2WD 350cid 700r4
Re: Can I swap a T5 in place of 700R4
« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2011, 01:07:57 pm »
Thanks once again.
Chevyman