He would still need the engine adapter for a 47RH to use that converter. A lockup converter is about 1.5" longer than a 518 nonlockup converter. Then if he wanted to use the lockup function he would need the 47RH input shaft, valve body and a few other goodies to make it function.

 

Keep in mind that the 518 is good for what 100 mph? Not sure, never gone that fast in mine, 90 is plenty in these old trucks. If you NEED to go faster than that would be the only reason i can see to go to the 47rh. In My opinion, i would build the 518 you have. It will smoke any 5 speed handshaker out there. But i'm biased...I don't see the need for a standard in any pickup. They suck to plow with, or tow with. IMO a built auto works much better for both. They suck for wheeling too...

 

They just don't suck nearly as much fuel.

 

That's just because you're lazy.

 

so i dont want to steal the thread but im still debating on rebuilding my 727 instead of doing a 47rh swap. i was told to get a steel planetary. the main weak link ive heard of also is the rear band jamming when you put a shift kit in it. (goerends told me so dont quote me) is there any way to upgrade it the band? i only go 55 with my truck and i tow with it most of the time so the overdrive is useless

 

My friend has an 89 with the getrag, your right, he gets 20 mpg in the summer, i get 19mpg . He's 50, i'm 39 , so we don't drive them like kids either. I just filled up this morning, i got 16 on winter blend.

 

No,Not really. i've just had both and prefer an auto. My wife's Subaru is a five speed, and is fun to drive. Just not practical in a work truck.
BTW: My Freightliner had a 13 speed in it, i put 930,000 miles on that truck. Wouldn't say that's lazy.

 

Just giving you a hard time, I think its just personal preference. And mine is a 5 speed, well actually a 6 would be nice but that's just not financially "practical" at this time.

 

Yup. It certainly is...I was just giving my opinion.. No prob

 

hardheaded, it really comes down to how much overall do you want to spend, and how much work you want to go through and your personal preference.

518 can handle alot, and with the right converter, be ideal for most. The 47RH can't reuse the 518 converter, so you have to weigh that into your decision.

47RH's are sometimes hard to find, too.

5 speed, whole list of other concerns, issues and parts needed. Your Auto tcase has a 23 spline input, the 5 speed needs a 29spline.

You will have to move the trans crossmember and resize the d-shafts to do either the 5speed or 47RH. So it comes back to how much work/$$ you want to spend

 

Cost of ownership is also a consideration. You will get much longer life from a sanely driven stick/clutch and you can replace three clutches for the cost one automatic transmission. The manual uses much less fluid over time with standard drain intervals and depending on your fluid choice the oil may also costs less per qt.

 

I'm not convinced of that either. My friends 89 has like 300,000 miles on it now, and he just put in his 3rd getrag. As i stated in an earlier post, he doesn't beat on the truck either, but he does work it, towing his tractors around to tractor pulls and whatnot. @ $1900.00 a piece i might add.

 

Did you guys know the auto A518 has a deeper overdrive then the getrag manual?

A518= .69
Getrag= .77

I'd Still rather have a 5 speed though.

 

And just to put the longevity thing in perspective, for every milligram of clutch material that comes off on the pressure plate between the Getrag 4-5 shift, ten times that amount ends up in the A518 filter going into OD.

Manuals are more efficient and less costly to operate. Premature Getrag failures were due to assembly mistakes and poor maintenance. 727/518/47 whatevers get prematurely replaced/rebuilt for poor maintenace, and routinely replaced/rebuilt much sooner, regardless.

 

Well, all i can say is, i'll have to wait a few hundred thousand miles....Then get back to you. I bet i won't have rebuilt my auto 3 times though.