With the snow we've been getting the last few weeks I'm really wanting to get a 79-86 Suburban 4x4. Getting stuck in my own driveway this morning was too embarassing. I've found a few cheap 3/4 ton 4x4's and would love to drop in a Buick 455. However, I have also always wanted to put a 5 speed in a Sub, and there's plenty of strong ones out there but I have no idea if any will bolt up to the back of the BBB, AND bolt up to a transfer case. Does anyone know if there's something out there I could use or do I have to settle for an auto?
Sure, find the setup you want(5sp,t/case,bellhousing) in Chevy and use a speedway adapter plate to go from Chevy to the Buick pattern. I have thought about this myself and the only thing I can think of being a problem would be the clutch adjustment with the adapter plate. Shouldn't be a big issue I dont think though as the plate isnt that thick. Let us know whatcha do. Later.....................
Cool, thanks. I'll start looking into that stuff, I'm going to want a truck by the end of summer so if I go for it I'll be doing it soon!
jaredyocum Im not sure just how hard it is to find a bellhousing for a buick manual one that is but chevys use the same trans bolt pattern so if you had the bellhousing you could bolt a 5 speed and a 208 np transfercase to it and have a going machine!
Other stuff - Don't forget you'll have to rework the floor and hang a clutch pedal too. I don't remember when we quit putting manual transmissions in Suburbans but it has been a long time (pickup parts will work). K
I think they stopped putting sticks in the long vehicles from the frame twist. I would defiantly go with a hydraulic system. If you have ever driven an extended cab, full bed truck with a stick and the old Z bar system, you will know. Just driving over some small runts, when the frame twist in different direction. the pedal /Z bar doesn't work very well.
