to buy or not to...70' 3 speed tranny

[MarcoPolo]

A guy is selling a 1970 tranny out of a cruizer. It's been sitting for 10 years. Is this worth getting for future or otherwise?

He's asking $20 and I'd have to drive 30+ miles for it.

Thanx 4 the input...

 

[addicted56]

You can't even buy lunch for 20 bucks. Skip it one day and go get the tranny. You never know. It will make a great paperweight until you get to use it.

 

[Python]

I have a 3sp. cruiser tranny but I don't know what year. It does have the backup light switch. It came with an SM420 I picked up. Looks to be in really good condition. I'd sell it to you for $20.

Don't know if it's any closer for you but I'm in Auburn, WA and get to the Seattle area nearly every day for work. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Varty Yo]

i have a problem buyin trannys i dont need too. i have 2 4 spds just sittin on the floor gathering dust.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I'd buy a 4 speed for that, but 3 speeds are given away or tossed in the trash. If your 3 speed goes south, it's just as easy to swap in a 4 speed and then you have a much nicer tranny.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Cruiserdrew I'd buy a 4 speed for that, but 3 speeds are given away or tossed in the trash. If your 3 speed goes south, it's just as easy to swap in a 4 speed and then you have a much nicer tranny.

Do you have an opinion on using a 3sp with "granny" gears over the 4sp?
Thanx Drew, Marco

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Do you have an opinion on using a 3sp with "granny" gears over the 4sp?
Thanx Drew, Marco

To be honest, I don't see any advantage of the 3 speed over the 4 speed. Hopefully others will chime in.

Since you have the 3 speed bellhousing and the 3 speed t-case, you are an ideal candidate for an SM420 swap. That would be very worth it.

 

[ekimatuan]

3 speed transmission

My Cruiser has a 3 speed in it. It seems fine but I was wondering about an upgrade to a 4 speed. From what I am reading, it is an easy swap. Besides the extra gear, what are the benefits of the 4 speed over the 3 speed.

The Cruiser has a SBC 350 in it. Are there any issues with that?
Thanks!

 

['74 UA FJ]

The 4 speed is tougher than the 3 speed. If all you do is drive it on the road, a 3 speed is fine. Less gears to shift...

 

[John Smith]

My Cruiser has a 3 speed in it. It seems fine but I was wondering about an upgrade to a 4 speed. From what I am reading, it is an easy swap. Besides the extra gear, what are the benefits of the 4 speed over the 3 speed.

The Cruiser has a SBC 350 in it. Are there any issues with that?
Thanks!

Benefits are a synchronized 1st gear and the 4 speed is much quieter than the 3 speed. Since you have a SBC already I would go SM420 or 465 for the granny low if it were me.

 

[Seth_O]

I have a '69 with the 3spd in it. As much as I love the t-case, it's definitely time for the tranny to go, asynchronous 1st gear, roars like a freight train and she pops out of 3rd at 55mph+. I am in the process of upgrading to an SM465 + 3spd t-case, and can't wait to try it out!

 

[ekimatuan]

I have a '69 with the 3spd in it. As much as I love the t-case, it's definitely time for the tranny to go, asynchronous 1st gear, roars like a freight train and she pops out of 3rd at 55mph+. I am in the process of upgrading to an SM465 + 3spd t-case, and can't wait to try it out!

Sounds like my Cruiser, also a 69. I mainly have been using it as my DD but would like to use it on some backwoods trails, etc. Please document your upgrade and post it for those of us thinking of the same thing.