Just lucky I guess...a good friend called me up and said he located one for me for $50. I bought it sight-unseen and just got lucky. I guess I was due as I have been the loser on many of those deals in the past where it turned out less than what I was hoping for. I would consider a T5 if you know how to hook up the column shift. There's no way I will be the first person to cut this truck up. Besides, I prefer the column shift on trucks and floor shifters on the cars. Thanks for all of the help thus far. I really appreciate the feedback.
I have nothing to add on the transmission discussion, but I had to chime in on the just how *****in' that truck looks! The stance and the color combo are spot on!
It's been over a year since I posted this and thought an update was in order. The front suspension is now working great after the axle adjustment. It's still not low enough for my tastes, but I just can't bring myself to cut this one up...so I might tweak it just a tad but don't have any intentions doing anything rash just yet. As for the overdrive, I stumbled across an original 3 speed OD ****** this spring at the PATE swap meet (not sure why they still call it that? since it's just not the same as it was back when it was located on Mr. Pate's pasture). I installed it just as it would have left the factory with the kick-down switch under the go-pedal and it works great. Undoubtably this is the best change I have made on the truck thus far. As for the other OD's pictured, I still have them so if anyone is interested...PM me. Thanks to everyone for the input and advice. What a difference the OD has made in this old truck.
The Jalopy Journal
