In an ideal world, I want to take some time to "Green-rod" a '58 or '59 Apache, maintaining the classic character on the outside, but putting a newer, stronger, and more fuel efficient heart into it, whittling away at the inefficiencies... while still making it usable as a truck (daily driver/light hauler).

My starting point is to use a Vortec 4.8 (LR4 or LY2) and a manual transmission. I've found several articles about the LS1 family of engines and compatible trannies, but some difficulty finding anything for a transmission that would work in a truck- mostly the ones I've seen are built for speed in Camaros and the like. Any suggestions about a manual tranny that can mate with a Vortec Small-block, and take the load that comes with a functioning pickup?

 

NV3500, it's what came behind the 4.8 in the trucks. It'll take all the abuse a 4.8 can dish out. But it doesn't like high rpm shifts and the shifts are a mile long. But the ratios are good for what you want to do. It has a fairly low first and second gear so you can have a set of highway gears in the diff without it being too much of a dog around town.

 

Get a 55-57 insteqd of the 58-59. IMO they look better

 

I miss my 58! That's one I wish I would have kept!