School me on transmission options

[Rembrant]

I think I will go with the M5OD.

I have two of them (in the 2wd 1984, and the 4x4 1980), and I'm happy with them.

You'll need a 1983-1986 hydraulic clutch pedal set. They are plug and play install.

In case you need to buy the pigtail for the back-up switch, I used LMC p/n 47-0901. You could snip one off a truck at the junkyard easy enough as well (if you have one close by).

I am running a 1984-1986 Bullnose clutch master cylinder on both trucks, with 1988-1991 hydraulic lines and slave cylinders. After 1986, the master cyl mounting holts went diagonal, and since my '84 was originally a hydraulic clutch truck, I wanted to keep that part correct in case I ever swap a Bullnose trans back into it.

I'm using an M5OD crossmember in both trucks, but I don't think you necessarily need to. I know other folks have simply moved their existing crossmember.

I also welded a 4spd stick on to the M5OD shifter stub to keep my interior looking somewhat period correct, but still used an M5OD shifter knob...not that it matters much.

Here is the stock 5spd stick installed in my 1980 4x4. Not 100% sure what I'm doing with this one...I might swap a 4spd NP435 stick on to this one as well. The 4x4 shifter is on the floor (1988-1991 style) as that is what I had to work with. I may modify that later to put the 4x4 shifter in the tunnel cover (so that it looks more Bullnose).

 

[Gary Lewis]

I think I will go with the M5OD.

I have two of them (in the 2wd 1984, and the 4x4 1980), and I'm happy with them.

You'll need a 1983-1986 hydraulic clutch pedal set. They are plug and play install.

In case you need to buy the pigtail for the back-up switch, I used LMC p/n 47-0901. You could snip one off a truck at the junkyard easy enough as well (if you have one close by).

I am running a 1984-1986 Bullnose clutch master cylinder on both trucks, with 1988-1991 hydraulic lines and slave cylinders. After 1986, the master cyl mounting holts went diagonal, and since my '84 was originally a hydraulic clutch truck, I wanted to keep that part correct in case I ever swap a Bullnose trans back into it.

I'm using an M5OD crossmember in both trucks, but I don't think you necessarily need to. I know other folks have simply moved their existing crossmember.

I also welded a 4spd stick on to the M5OD shifter stub to keep my interior looking somewhat period correct, but still used an M5OD shifter knob...not that it matters much.

Here is the stock 5spd stick installed in my 1980 4x4. Not 100% sure what I'm doing with this one...I might swap a 4spd NP435 stick on to this one as well. The 4x4 shifter is on the floor (1988-1991 style) as that is what I had to work with. I may modify that later to put the 4x4 shifter in the tunnel cover (so that it looks more Bullnose).

Cory - Good points. Very helpful.

Didn't you put a firewall brace on one of the trucks?