Installing automatic in Champ truck

[wolfie]

I am awaiting better pics before I pull the trigger on what is supposed to be a nearly rustfree Champ truck body. It was originally straight drive probably 6 cylinder . I have a good running 259 with FOM automatic in a 63 Lark with a hopeless body here. It does not have the trans cooler lines to the radiator so I assume it is standard duty. My questions are 1) Will this trans setup work with a truck? 2) Will the Lark steering column fit or can I build an automatic column from the two? 3) Is the rear crossmember the same whether the truck was automatic or straight drive or can it be made to work easily? I know I will have to change rear mounts. 4) I also have a truck V-8 for parts I can steal anything truck specific from (I am thinking oil pan and pickup are probably different) , What else am I going to run into? I havent checked the rear ends to see if I can use the taller ratio already in the Lark but I have the Dana 44 TT setup from the parts truck if I have to go that route. Thanks, Steve

[Warren Webb]

The motor mounts on the front of the engine would have to be replaced with V-8 mounts for a Champ. However, the rear mounts come off the bell housing, so the original 6 cyl. mounts should work, so that eliminates any crossmember problems. When I bought my Champ it already had a V-8 in it, so I replaced it with another V-8 I had in a 62 parts car with no problems at all-plenty of clearance so oil pan & steering linkage isnt a factor. A driveshaft would have to be fabricated but I have used a late 60's Chevelle driveshaft & had it shortened by Driveshaft Masters in Harbor City, Ca. It used the same U joints as the Stude. My truck has a 4:09 TT rear & is able to keep up with everything on the freeway, but anything with a lower ratio would probably be screeming above 65mph, so if your parts truck ratio is better (& it is a twin track to boot!!!) use it. Cant tell you on the trans linkage though. I'd ask Studerich on that & have him make sure what I've said is good.

[wolfie]

Thanks Warren, I have the V-8 truck mounts from the parts truck so thats no problem. I have both the driveshafts from the Lark and the parts truck so I should be able to build (or have built) one that will work. I am pretty confident on getting the engine in OK, just the trans and steering column stuff concerns me as both the trucks were straight drive. I can rig a floor shift for the auto but would rather build up something that looks factory. The TT I have is about 4.25:1 , so it might make a fun rig since it wont be driven far anyway. Thanks, Steve

[Milaca]

About 18 years ago I purchased a 1963 Champ 1/2 ton shortbox with original 6 cylinder and 3-speed on the column. It had not run in many years so I transplanted a 289 with automatic from a 1964 Cruiser into it. From what I remember, it bolted right in (but I can look at it and verify if it is or not). I don't recall if I used the entire driveshaft from the car or if I only used the input end of it and connected it to the existing Champ driveshaft, but I didnt have to fabricate anything to make it work. I even replaced the gearing in the rearend with the Twin-Traction unit from the car as it was a direct bolt-in. I replaced the steering column with the car unit and it didnt require any refabrication either. If you need detailed pictures of any of this, I can photograph it tomorrow.

[63r2]

Just a query.
I thought there was a small adaptor plate you needed to install to convert from manual to an auto box?
pb

[wolfie]

Just a query.
I thought there was a small adaptor plate you needed to install to convert from manual to an auto box?
pb

If so would there be one in the Lark? I assume the Lark was factory automatic. Steve

[wolfie]

About 18 years ago I purchased a 1963 Champ 1/2 ton shortbox with original 6 cylinder and 3-speed on the column. It had not run in many years so I transplanted a 289 with automatic from a 1964 Cruiser into it. From what I remember, it bolted right in (but I can look at it and verify if it is or not). I don't recall if I used the entire driveshaft from the car or if I only used the input end of it and connected it to the existing Champ driveshaft, but I didnt have to fabricate anything to make it work. I even replaced the gearing in the rearend with the Twin-Traction unit from the car as it was a direct bolt-in. I replaced the steering column with the car unit and it didnt require any refabrication either. If you need detailed pictures of any of this, I can photograph it tomorrow.

Thanks Brent. I am hoping it is that straight forward. When I put the deal together on the truck I will get you to check some stuff for me but no reason to go to great extremes until then. Thanks, Steve

[63r2]

If so would there be one in the Lark? I assume the Lark was factory automatic. Steve

I thought that you needed the adaptor plate because the rear member on the Champ was slightly further back to cater for the different gearbox and the auto mounts just didn't reach. I saw that SI had it listed and it wasn't expensive. The Lark wouldn't have one as the crossmember is in the right location for its gearbox. Do a search on the truck forum, It has been discussed.
Again I defer to those who have done the swap but check it out anyway.
pb

[wolfie]

I thought that you needed the adaptor plate because the rear member on the Champ was slightly further back to cater for the different gearbox and the auto mounts just didn't reach. I saw that SI had it listed and it wasn't expensive. The Lark wouldn't have one as the crossmember is in the right location for its gearbox. Do a search on the truck forum, It has been discussed.
Again I defer to those who have done the swap but check it out anyway.
pb

Thanks, I will investigate it further while I babysit the building this weekend. Thanks, Steve

[63r2]

Steve
Look at the SI website and search for part no 1692223.
pb

[52 Ragtop]

IF you are going from a 6 cylinder to a V-8, check to be sure the brakes are the same! 6 cylinder brakes on the cars are smaller than V-8's! I'm not sure on Trucks.

Jim

[Ron Dame]

Truck brakes are the same, Jim, V8 or 6.

Steve, is teh manual trans straight, or OD? How does it work? Also the steering from a Lark is totally different from a Champ. Nothing interchanges but the steering wheel and maybe the post jacket.

IF you are going from a 6 cylinder to a V-8, check to be sure the brakes are the same! 6 cylinder brakes on the cars are smaller than V-8's! I'm not sure on Trucks.

Jim

[wolfie]

Thanks guys, Still waiting for the pics to come through before I do much more. Ron, the truck I am trying to get pics of now has no motor or trans in it and he wasnt sure if it was column shift or floor shift, just knew it had a clutch pedal. Assuming I get it this truck will see some duty around campus with co-workers and the occasional college kid driving it so it needs to be pretty straight forward to operate. They have issues with the straight drive in my F-250 even though it is very forgiving of "new driver" errors. I do have an extra overdrive and an extra 3 speed if you are hunting one. Steve

[Ron Dame]

Thanks guys, Still waiting for the pics to come through before I do much more. Ron, the truck I am trying to get pics of now has no motor or trans in it and he wasnt sure if it was column shift or floor shift, just knew it had a clutch pedal. Assuming I get it this truck will see some duty around campus with co-workers and the occasional college kid driving it so it needs to be pretty straight forward to operate. They have issues with the straight drive in my F-250 even though it is very forgiving of "new driver" errors. I do have an extra overdrive and an extra 3 speed if you are hunting one. Steve

Hmm, my post did not come through...Steve, check your private messages about the tranny

Ron

[Milaca]

This is my 1963 Champ project that I began when I was a 19 year old (back in 1991) when I was very short on money and had very little knowledge of Studebakers (as I hadnt yet joined the club and the internet wasn't yet available).
I recall now that I used a cutting torch to make some things 'fit'. I cut clearance in the front diagonal crossmembers on each side and shimmed the motor mounts with washers to clear the harmonic balancer.



I used the driveshaft from a 1964 Cruiser (which also donated the engine, tranny and steering column).


Is the driveshaft yoke in the tranny far enough? It works and doesnt leak, but it looks to me like it should be in a little further.

I made some new holes in the crossmember for the tranny to bolt up.


I have a feeling that you guys will tell me to redo my installation in proper fashion.