weight weight weight is the issue with the T56

 

George ^^^^ did just about everything there is to do with the t56 in his build. He is a good person to listen and ask about it. Guys break the clutch petal a lot, George split the firewall and tried just about every clutch option, etc. These trucks are too heavy, especially a CC. I use to dream of running a t56 setup. Now I wouldn't touch it. Too much money, too much headache, and too much down time. Power and weight just don't equate to the same thing in this case. A built t56 can handle a ton of power, but just isn't right for a 6,000lbs truck.

 

You sound like an excellent candidate for a ZF650 swap. Tight shift gates, super strong, bolts up to motor, etc. Some minor mounting work and body lift may be necessary.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...n-swap-404105/

 

See the thread I started in the Drivetrain section called "T56 Swap Regrets" in which George chimmed in on his experience with the T56 in more detail. You might be OK with a stock output engine but you would probably still want an upgraded clutch assembly due to the weight of the cc which will make it harder to be a daily driver. Just some food for thought.......

 

The zf6 may be best option as it's a truck trans but isn't meant for racing

 

Just so were all on the same page, GM/CHEVY DID make a crew cab with a manual transmission. Not sure how many of these were offered in North America, (because I have only seen the 3500 with the 6spd here), but the 2001-2006: Silverado 3500 crew cab, Silverado 2500HD Sierra 2500HD, Sierra 3500, Avalanche 2500, Yukon XL 2500 ALL had an optional manual transmission. If they came with a 6.0L it was a 5spd transmission. Those that came with the 6.6L diesel or 8.1L came with an optional 5 or 6 spd manual transmission.

 

super-old thread... but okay, i'll bite.

for the GMT800 stuff, most of this is true, however, the SUVs ain't had a factory manual trans option since the early 90s.
99NBS half tons did offer 4.3, 4.8, & 5.3 with the NV3500 in 2-door & extended cab models, but 2000+ was just the 4.3 & 4.8, and 01+ was only regular cabs.
with the HD trucks from 00-06, you could get a 6.0 with the NV4500 or you could opt for the 8.1 or duramax with the ZF S6-650. all the HD trucks were available with manual transmissions in RC, EC, & CC models.

if you still happen to be dead-set on a t56 for the other truck, i'd recommend 4.88s in a 14bolt rear (4.56 minimum considering the blower) based on my previous research on the swap before deciding to not pay $4k for a 4x4 tail housing.

 

and try to snag one from a GTO so you get the lower gearing (rpo M12)

 

15 months isn't super old, and figured I wasn't the only one using the search feature. To be up front, I have never seen the NBS SUV with a manual, and it is the only reason I went with a pickup instead. I based that off seeing the part numbers for the Silverado and Sierra were cross referenced also to the Yukon and Tahoe. I was assuming that they were offered (like other past cars from other makes) with manual transmissions in other countries. I spent 6 months just looking for my pickup with a manual transmission, I certainly tried to find a SUV with one, but thought I would be too old to drive by the time I found one. I would think we would have someone with first hand experience to verify, but I'm pretty sure it was never even an orderable option here.



Might not be the place for this either, but I thought the T56 was no good for towing, (which is why I'm not going with it). Probably another debate, but I thought putting a T56 into a pickup, you may as well cut off a crossmember to save some weight, drop it, and lose any off road or 4x4 options it has. You just cut off its truck nuts, and now drive a crossover that seats less people.

It may be fast, but if you cant tow, isn't it just half a minivan with half a trunk?