i have a th 350 and a sm465, i think that i want to go with the manual. whats better to go wheeling in? this truck is just going to be a trail truck.....

It's really your preference.  Some of it would depend on what kind of wheeling you do though.  Most folks would probably agree that in the mud and on sand a manual would be better.  You lose less momentum shifting between gears then you would a manual.  Rockcrawling you would just toss it in 1st gear and go (as long as you have low enough gears).

Scoutnut

you have a 350? or 360? if you have a small block chev 350 than you should go with a Turbo 400 for low gearing and if you need freeway milage go with a 700R4. these are both strong and common automatic trans.  

thanks for the input. but unforturnatlly i have what i have, the rig is going to be just a trail rig and a low $$ build up so im trying to use what i got. i think manual will be my choice because its already in the truck and in situations the manual will out perform the auto and plus with a hi low transfer case their is alot diff. crawl ratio's i can have.  

I have to disagree with GMC man.

The TH400 is probably the strongest auto trans out there, but is geared high (numerically low), which kinda sux off road (can be compensated for by lower axles), but it is bulletproof.

The 700R4 Is pretty weak in stock form (ok for stock small block, moderate wheeling), but has lowest (numerically higher) first gear, i forget its exact ratio but its in the 6.XX:1 area, plus it has OD, buit like i said, its relatively fragile.

Turbo 350 or 700R4 all are too weak for serious wheeling.  I found that out the *** way... Through owning only 2 chevy's I've blown 5 trannys (all 700R4's).  If an Chevy auto is used I would strongly reccomend getting it professionally rebuilt with Heavy duty clutch packs.

I've owned 2 Standard wheelers and havent bust any trannys.  Blew u-joints and hub assemblys.  But trannies always lasted.... So far.  I prefer Auto just because of what you guys mentioned before, no loss in momentum.

Cheers!  

Mud_Junkie:
Turbo 350 or 700R4 all are too weak for serious wheeling.  I found that out the *** way... Through owning only 2 chevy's I've blown 5 trannys (all 700R4's).  If an Chevy auto is used I would strongly reccomend getting it professionally rebuilt with Heavy duty clutch packs.

I've owned 2 Standard wheelers and havent bust any trannys.  Blew u-joints and hub assemblys.  But trannies always lasted.... So far.  I prefer Auto just because of what you guys mentioned before, no loss in momentum.

Cheers!

Everything you have said adds up to to tall of gears and no tranny cooler. One sure way to kill a 700R4 is stock gears with big tires if you play hard. The 700R4 is a good box. I have one that is 18 years old with 180K plus miles on it in a heavy 4x4 burb that has been across the country and rockies more than a dozen times and has towed some too throughout its life. (been up pike peak 3 times too) The secret? Deep gears relative to tire size, regular fluid and filter changes and a aux tranny cooler.  

the first gear in all 700r4 and 4l60e is 3.08 and the th400 is 2.48

one of the best tranny's for a milage and durability is the 4l80e witch has the same gear ratios as th th400 but with the added .75 overdrive ratio, i like overdrive auto because you can get the quick shifts and run a low rear gear such as 4.56 without killing to much mileage  

440ram:
the first gear in all 700r4 and 4l60e is 3.08 and the th400 is 2.48

one of the best tranny's for a milage and durability is the 4l80e witch has the same gear ratios as th th400 but with the added .75 overdrive ratio, i like overdrive auto because you can get the quick shifts and run a low rear gear such as 4.56 without killing to much mileage

I have long felt that OD trannies are perfect for lower/deeper axle ratios too but some seem to think otherwise.