newbie drive train set up

[foreverstrong]

Hey guys,
Just bought a project truck, 76 Silverado 1/2 ton 4wd Short Bed. It has a 4 speed granny low manual transmission, looked up case numbers and it's a np205 case.  I'm sure it is a d44 front with 12 bolt rear.  It has a 350 motor with top end mods.
Lift is i'm guessing a 4" front spring, 4" blocks in the rear with a 3" body lift. It has 38" tires on 15" rims.
I'm looking to build this truck for a weekend rider/ pickup everyday hauler. Trying to get somewhat decent gas mileage. I will be removing body lift and one day setting it up with a 6" suspension with 35" tires.
With this said here are my questions.
How do i tell what kind of 4 spd tranny i have? (Granny low w/rev bottom right).
Is there a better tranny/transfer case setup? Still keeping it manual. 5spd, 4spd O.D.?
Is the np205 the hot setup?
Just to be a real pain..... Is there a better way to setup the clutch? Hydrolic instead of mechanic?
Any answers would be greatly appreciated. I have plenty of time... LOL
If anyone is interested I will post pics of what you would like me to.
Thanks guys

[codyC10kid]

This has nothing to do with your questions...But could you send a pic of the 3inch body lift from the front bumper so i can see how mutch space there is...I'm doing a body lift (3 inch) in a week or so.Thanks if ya dont mind,And your Front Diff. if the U bolts go thru the diff housing and on the bottom right side of the webbing youll see a 44...that's how you tell....And the GM10 bolt the U bolt dose not go thru the housing

[foreverstrong]

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention that all the info about the truck I gave you was what the previous owner gave me.. Let me know how wrong he is.. LOL
Thanks again..

[thirsty]

First of all welcome to the site foreverstrong! And congratulations on your new truck.

How do i tell what kind of 4 spd tranny i have? (Granny low w/rev bottom right).

You have a SM465 transmission.

Is there a better tranny/transfer case setup? Still keeping it manual. 5spd, 4spd O.D.?

You can't go wrong with a SM465/NP205 combo. It is the toughest set up available in your truck.

Is the np205 the hot setup?

Cast iron and gear driven! It is tough.

Just to be a real pain..... Is there a better way to setup the clutch? Hydrolic instead of mechanic?

If you want a hydraulic clutch you will need to change the bell housing and pedals from a newer truck that came stock with a hydraulic clutch, mount a master cylinder through the firewall and a slave cylinder to your new bell housing connected with a steel/rubber line. It would be in your best interest to change the clutch at the same time too while everything is apart. In my opinion swapping to hydraulic is worthwhile. It may be a pain to get it bled the first time but an SM465 with a hydraulic clutch will be worth it.

Post up some pics of your truck. Even if you leave it just the way it is now you still have a very stout truck set up the way it is!

[bake74]

Is there a better tranny/transfer case setup? Still keeping it manual. 5spd, 4spd O.D.?

     If you wanted to change your transmission from the granny to an o/d transmission you have options.  The 2 most people do is either the A833 4 speed over drive unit (out of 82 -86 chevy pick ups) or the later nv4500 5 speed transmission. 
     Both would require some modifications though.

[Blazin]

I would leave the drive train alone. SM465, and a 205 are the best you can get as far as plain strength.
I don't think you would gain much by going with a juice clutch honestly.
As far as milage, no matter what you do your milage is not going to be good. For the little you might possible gain by going with an overdrive trans, the cost, and hassle will far outway it.

[bake74]

I would leave the drive train alone. SM465, and a 205 are the best you can get as far as plain strength.
I don't think you would gain much by going with a juice clutch honestly.
As far as milage, no matter what you do your milage is not going to be good. For the little you might possible gain by going with an overdrive trans, the cost, and hassle will far outway it.

     I agree, to really make changes in MPG, you would have to go both engine and trans swap to a more current type set up that will gain you updated technology and thus better MPG, at least to be cost effective for the swap.  If you want just to do swaps to experiment and see what you can achieve, the trans is less of a hassle.

[foreverstrong]

Thanks guys,
I like all of your ideas, which is to keep what i got! LOL  I'm thinking of really changing out the clutch though.  But first I have to find a mid 80's model...  Thanks again all for all the input!!  Very much appreciated!!!!

[snibook7537]

Why do you want to change the clutch? Is the clutch slipping or are you talking about going hydro? If you want to ditch the mechanical for the hydro because it's a heavy pedal it won't happen. A lot of people will tell you, me included, that these trucks with a mechanical clutch are lighter than hydro. I have had both and they are way less of a hassle driving with a mechanical clutch for example in traffic. Personally if it were my truck I wouldn't bother.

[1980c10]

The swap is very simple to convert to hydraulic. I did mine because I went with a 5 speed trans. I didn't notice anything gained in pedal travel or ease of use. it is a little cleaner set up. When I did mine I also used the newer style brake booster as well which was a nice upgrade.  All of my parts were from an 85 k10.