Thread: going from auto to manual

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i mlooking into buy a late 70s to early 80s k10 pickup when i get back from deployment. i really want a manual in it but most of the trucks i see that are in my price range and are what i want are autos. now i have no grudges against a well built auto. in fact i love them. but i have more fun with a stick and a strong 5 speed maual is cheaper than an auto and i want 5 speeds. so im just wondering if anyone has some advice on this matter. like how much it might cost and some of the major components i will need to replace. and how long it might take to do such a job. my knowledge of transmissions isnt all that great but i am a little familiar with them. thanks for any help.

Take your "price range", add the thou (minimum!) it's gonna cost to switch everything over, and find a truck that has the equipment you like. Or learn to live with an automatic.

yes .. even if it`s a grand higher buy the stick to begin with

Originally Posted by klauss89

.... and some of the major components i will need to replace.

First, thanks for your service, and looking forward to a post saying you're home and shopping for a truck!
Some of the major components - Bellhousing & tranny are obvious; driveshaft will likely have to be modified or changed out for length & yoke differences; new/donor flywheel to replace the flex plate; clutch, pressure plate, clutch fork & throwout bearing; adding a clutch pedal is a major hassle - have to find a donor truck and still a big job on a later model; clutch linkage - if not cable or hydraulic then the pivot arm assembly (mounts frame to block with bellcrank arms) and engine end mount may be a challenge - if hydraulic then a new hydraulic line, master and slave cylinders. The only way I would want to tackle this would be if I had access to a donor truck of the same vintage, where I could get all of the miscellaneous pieces and parts. Like the guys said, add a grand or so to your budget and find the stick if that's what you want - money well spent.

May I join Roger in saying thanks for your service.

You didn't indicate to what use you plan to put that K10; may I offer some things to consider? For most intents and purposes, in an off road 4x4, an automatic is so much easier to live with, especially if you are going to be crawling rocks, hills, and timberlands; having an automatic eliminates the need for three feet - you can brake with your left, and gas with your right, and not be going heel and toe all the time. On the other hand, if you're planning to have a street 4x4, or exclusively mud and relatively flat ground play, you can get along pretty well with a stick; in the mud, once you're into it, you are going to be in one gear until the end of the pit, for the most part, and of course, street driving is no contest - a stick is just way more fun.


The other considerations have been covered: availability of parts, amount of work involved, cost. In any newer vehicle, about 1960 vintage or later, all of the systems involved are much less straight forward than in older vehicles, for this sort of conversion. Yes, it can, has been, and will be done, but often the benefits are much less than desired.

well thanks for all of your inputs guys. i know it would cost alot to do. but i was just curious because im sure you could understand that an old truck in good shape being exactly wat you want isnt the easiest to fnd.most of them were work trucks. and the stock ones are four speed which i would change out for a stronger 5 speed. i like to beat on my vehicls a little bit and have fun with them. so having an extra strong tranny would be good.so thanks guys i appreciate your inputs and when i get a truck ill be sure to post some pics and to keep everyone updaed on wat i do to the truck.