Whats everyones opinion on what kind of MANUAL trans to put behind a 383 Chevy... Approx 300-400 HP. Im going to use it for the back roads, hills, etc. Not much highway use. Its going in a 59 willys pickup. I understand theres a ford trans that has the best ratio for crawling around. No rock crawling, just 4x4 driving. Any ideas would be appreciated.  

Since it is a old truck I would go with a SM465 or a even harder to find SM420. The SM465 4 speed HD tranny will handle your 383 without even breaking a sweat. It saw usage in up to HD 2 ton/C50 trucks. It can handle a lot more motor than your 383. A NP435 is a tuff tranny too. If you want a 5 speed, consider a NV4500 but if you go that route, stay away from Doge NV4500 as they had internal issues until late 90's and I would look for a 92 to 93 NV4500 from a GM truck because they had a much deeper granny first gear than the later 94 on models and deeper reverse too. Below is a link to some GM tranny ratio info that I have been putting together.

Click here  

Can you mate a T-5 behind that engine?  

Being that he has a GM engine and likely a GM bellhousing, the logical thing would be to use a GM compatible tranny too and then adapt what ever needs to be done behind tranny. (the smaller can of worms)  

I was just wonderin'... lol...  

FourWheeler Web Editor:
I was just wonderin'... lol...

Nothing wrong with that!  

bullet proof=th400  

i have a 350 in my yj and a sm465 behind it and i love it to death. 6.37 to 1 ratio in first gear gotta love that. plus the pto options out the side of it think of the options. but on the street its kinda like a three speed first gear is kinda ignored. and its kinda lacking on the highway i just want to go into fifth gear but its not there. lol. but offroad i think you cant beat it. its a workhorse.