Manual trans option questions

[sbnova]

Does anyone know what manual transmission is the easiest to put in?
My truck is a factory 5 speed, with everything still functional. I’m just looking for a transmission with better gear ratios. My 5lm60/np3500 whatever it is has a really low first gear, with pretty wide spread gearing.
I want something geared closer to my manual C6 corvette ratios.
I read a lot of t56 swap pages, but I don’t need 2 overdrive gears. Really looking for just a 5 speed.
Who has swapped in a TKO or TKX? They have great ratios, but How is the shifter placement?
How about a T5?
Maybe an AR5 from a Colorado or Solstice??
Are there any other choices out there?
I’ll probably never have more than 350-400hp, so I don’t need a max effort $$ transmission.

 

[smdk2500]

What kind of truck? 2wd? 4wd?

Id stay away from a t-5 unless you want pieces of it laying behind your truck. They did not hold up in the f-bodys with a 2.8 v6. It isn't going to hold up in a truck with what I'm assuming is a v8 of some sort.

 

[sbnova]

Sorry- it’s a 2wd, regular cab short bed with a factory 5.7/ 350 V8. I’m still running the TBI, factory ‘7747 ecu with a custom tune by me, Tuned Port (TPI) heads, small cam, and shorty headers.
I know the T5 has a sketchy stigma with chevys, but on the other hand the fox body mustangs used to beat on these transmissions and it’s the same piece. Of course there are MANY variations of the T5 out there…. Most of them have great ratios though.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

The AR5 seems to be pretty strong from what I have read. I don't know how the shifter placement compares, but you need the Fab Bot adaptor to mate it up to a 4L60e bellhousing which you will also need.

If money is no object, you can get a drop in kit for the TKX. The TKX has a ton of options with where the shifter is placed. It's got a forward, mid, and rear placement and then you can offset it as well.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

Sorry- it’s a 2wd, regular cab short bed with a factory 5.7/ 350 V8. I’m still running the TBI, factory ‘7747 ecu with a custom tune by me, Tuned Port (TPI) heads, small cam, and shorty headers.
I know the T5 has a sketchy stigma with chevys, but on the other hand the fox body mustangs used to beat on these transmissions and it’s the same piece. Of course there are MANY variations of the T5 out there…. Most of them have great ratios though.

Your truck is roughly 1000 lbs heavier than a fox body. That matters.