Gears

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

fnny6770

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
55
Reaction score
29
Location
Pocatello
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
3500 camper special
Engine Size
454
My 1980 GMC 1 ton truck came from the factory with four 10 gears 400 engine and a th400 tranny, my brother put a 454 in it with a three speed manual transmission and it seems like the differential gears are too high, my question is what size differential gears would have came with a manual transmission?
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,352
Reaction score
16,091
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
You are gonna have to define "too high".....too high engine speed(RPMS)? or it lugs the engine?..(doubtful) Please, more info
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,981
Reaction score
2,522
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
@fnny6770 there is no set ratio with auto or manual transmissions, a 3/4 ton (or 1 ton) could have come with 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56(rare). What actual ratio came in a truck is dependent on the options ordered.
 

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,124
Reaction score
5,848
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
My 86 3/4 ton 3:73, 208 transfer, 31" tires with the sm465 manual runs 2000 rpm at 55. I'm really happy with my gearing, I rarely get over 60 mph. If I need to creep around the woods I have low range and the creeper 1st gear.
 

Old Guy Bill

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2023
Posts
445
Reaction score
1,375
Location
KY
First Name
Bill
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
As previously posted we need more info..
Is it “Too high” when traveling in high gear, or “Too high” when trying to take off in low gear?
Please elaborate
 

fnny6770

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
55
Reaction score
29
Location
Pocatello
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
3500 camper special
Engine Size
454
I misspoke, it seems like the gears are too low I haven't driven it in many years but it seems like at 50 or 55 mph the tack is anywhere between 25 and 3,000, my father ordered this from the factory so I remember the Gear ratio is 410, but pictures will have to wait because my truck is at my daughter's house 60 mi away or I might could possibly find some older ones to post but it just seems to me that 410 differential gears was because of the automatic transmissions gear ratio, it's a camper special
 

fnny6770

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
55
Reaction score
29
Location
Pocatello
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
3500 camper special
Engine Size
454
It's very Rusty and all of the factory badging has fallen off or been removed, did I mention it is a 4x4?
 

fnny6770

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2024
Posts
55
Reaction score
29
Location
Pocatello
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
3500 camper special
Engine Size
454
It's the only truck I've seen that came with shock absorbers, from the factory mounted in the bed of the truck that mount to the cab
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,341
Reaction score
3,393
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
maybe drop a 700R4 or 4L80 transmission in it? It'll give you a 4th gear.

[edit] nevermind, you said it was a 3 speed manual.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,596
Reaction score
9,112
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
maybe drop a 700R4 or 4L80 transmission in it? It'll give you a 4th gear.

[edit] nevermind, you said it was a 3 speed manual.
Actually,not a bad Idea. It started life as a th400.A 700r4,leave the pedals as is just a spring to return the clutch, the column probably wasn't changed. Then he'd have gearing for work and decreased rpm on the highway. But @fnny6770 any mods you make to slow the highway rpms down are going to be expensive and you will still have to buy gas. You will have to put a lot of miles on this truck to break even in gas savings.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,414
Posts
957,061
Members
36,748
Latest member
mrevil
Top