Best towing tranny

[f-100]

79 sierra 350 3speed manual. I have a 3 speed manual that I believe the bearings need to be replaced. Shutters when you take off. I do landscaping and tow a 5 by 8 trailer regularly. I would like od tranny but not necessary. I'am concerned about gas milage.

So which tranny would be best for me or should I just rebuilt the 3 speed. Never rebuilt a tranny before but fairly handy with tools. Don't really like 700r4's was considering maybe 200r4. Thanks.

[Irish_Alley]

imo a manual is best for towing. sm465 is what you have i have the same trans in my 79 k20  now im lifted with 38s but it tows pretty good even with the bigger tires. if your worried about mpgs i would be thinking more about changing gears. but with the cost of the gears it would make the slight change in mpgs not really beneficial

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana

Shuttering usually is when the pressure plate and flywheel have hot spots from excessive slipping of the clutch.  Replace the clutch, throw out bearing and pressure plate and have the flywheel turned.   The SM465 does real well towing but you will have to do some work on the cab floor due to the size of the transmission.   

[VileZambonie]

The 2004R is no better than the 700R4 for what you are considering. Is it 2 or 4wd? Where are you located? I have a free 465 2wd for anyone who wants it.

[bake74]

     Welcome from California.  I agree with Zieg, it does not take long to drop the trans and inspect the componets.  Switching to a different trans means a lot of modification for a newer one.

[f-100]

I live in atlanta  ga. Just put in a new clutch kit  a few weeks ago. Tranny makes some strange noise at times. I was looking on utube and found person with same problem, got new bearings and problem solve. No tranny expert but from noises and shuttering I think something is wrong inside. How can I id which gears i have in my truck. Thanks.

[zieg85]

I live in atlanta  ga. Just put in a new clutch kit  a few weeks ago. Tranny makes some strange noise at times. I was looking on utube and found person with same problem, got new bearings and problem solve. No tranny expert but from noises and shuttering I think something is wrong inside. How can I id which gears i have in my truck. Thanks.

Easiest way is to look on the options list inside the glove box or on the fender if still there.  It will tell you either the ratio or give you a 3 digit code.  From there I can look it up and at least tell you what it came with originally.  The other method is to pull the cover off the rear differential and see what the stampings on the ring gear say.  Divide the 2 numbers.

[f-100]

Ok it's getting dark outside so I will check tommorow. Has anyone rebuilt one of these there self, is it hard to do. Any special tools needed.

[zieg85]

Never have but I can't believe it would be to difficult.  If you are near NW Indiana, I have one on the shelf I took out of a 79 GMC some years back that worked fine.

[Lt.Del]

you have to take out the trans to replace the clutch anyway.  remove the trans.  inspect the pressure plate, throw out bearing, disc, flywheel.  Then look at the trans.  if the bearings are bad, there should be play noticeable in the shafts.  Remove the cover and look for shavings, whatever.  Just give everything a good inspection.

[f-100]

I installed a clutch kit in a few weeks ago, plate, throw out bearing, clutch, flywheel was in good shape. I had to get it done in a hurry because my other truck was down and I did not think to check tranny for wear. Did not check input output shaft for play to see if maybe the bearings were worn.

I looked at the tranny today it looks like I have a saginaw 3 speed. Haynes manual has a complete break down and rebuilt instructions. A friend told me the bearings would have to be pulled and pressed back in. I have a small press so that should not be a problem.

Orginally the truck had automatic in it and it's a 2wd.

Doing some searching and I do have a saginaw 3speed. What would it take to put a 4speed manual in it. Would the clutch, pressure plate etc. work. I know I would mostly likely have redo the drive shaft. Sm 465 seems most popular. Other suggestions.