To be honest the 1st gear in the 80e isnt really that bad. Its all just a matter of what you want if you like droppin tranny's once a year then the 65e is the trans for you but I like do it once do it right so the 80e works for me .

 

I did the swap in my '04 and it really wasn't that bad. Just a few more steps involved. I agree with The Breeze on the first gear not being that bad. Some people just blow it out of proportion a little. It does eat more hp than the 60 but the reliability is a more than just payoff IMO.

 

It sounds good,I just so happen to know the best tranny guy in oklahoma.I never see you running around norman? I don't know about the blower/60e thing but I do know if you are putting any kind of power down like 500 or more you do need to go to a 80e I know that is what derrick is trying to get all of us to do.I am still running a 60e but I will be going to an 80e on my new build.Oh and it is a good looking truck!