Biggest thing I would worry about is the length of the front driveshaft. If the front driveshaft is the same on the 2dr between auto & manual, then you will be able to use your driveshafts and just swap it in. I'd scour your local junkyards and see what you can turn up. Just go with a tape measure in hand and see what you can find.

 

Hey - thanks for the advice! I will definitely go visit my normal junkyard haunts soon.

Another thing...some stuff I've been reading has been indicating that I could also use a transmission from a Tahoe (K-Blazer) or Silverado, if it has the small block V8. Supposedly it's a heavier-duty transmission. Is this true?

 

I'm not sure if there's a difference in the NV1500s and NV3500s between the S-series and 1/2 tons... I know the auto tranny is a little beefier..

 

Ha! I found some information on both transmissions at http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/tranny_guide/tranny_guide.html:

New Venture 1500 [align=left] 5 speed fully synchronized transmission, with bell housing integral to aluminum transmission case. Similar in design and appearance to HM290, 5LM60, and NV 3500 series transmissions, but slightly smaller. Requires some special tools to rebuild. Used in 1996 and up GM S10 vehicles with 4 cylinder or 2.8 liter engines.[/align]

NV3500 [align=left] 5 speed fully synchronized transmission with the bell housing integral to the aluminum case. There are four design levels of this unit. It started life in 1988 as an HM290 found in GM trucks, and was re-designated 5LM60 with early and late designs. Hm290 and 5LM60 units each have 4 shift rails. The unit was completely redesigned as a 3500 with a single shift rail. Due to all the design variations it is critical to positively identify which model trans you are working on in order to get the right parts. This unit is built in both 2 and 4WD versions. This series of transmissions requires some special tools for rebuilding. These transmissions are found in full size GM trucks from 1988 and up, S10 trucks from 1990 and up, and 1994 and up Dodge Dakota V8 Ram trucks.[/align]

I didn't know that GM and Dodge used the same transmissions for a while. I wonder if this means you could put a Hemi or a Magnum in an S-truck. LOL

And just looking at the pix, it looks like they may bolt in the same places. I'd probably need to talk to a techie in person about it (unless someone in here knows the answer). And the author didn't seem to know that the 1500s are also used in the 4.3 Vortecs.