Grandson & BayouFlyFisher

My daughter and I recently acquired a 49 F1 with flathead 6 and 4 speed crashbox. While she can drive the truck and deal with double clutching, it isn't something she (nor I for that matter) wants to do so on a long term basis. So, I've looked at a ton of threads here and on other sites about what Ford transmissions would be acceptable, considering we'd like to keep the stock motor as it is a nice strong runner. So we would like to find a decent 3 speed or 4 speed floor shift transmission (with synchro's of course). But the help I need is in finding one. So far the only transmissions I find for sale or either the same one we already have or some 3 speeds with column shift. My Google foo must not be too strong as I've not really found anything yet. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BayouFlyFisher (Baton Rouge, LA)

ETA: Photo

 

Welcome FTE. Do you have pictures of your truck? We like pictures here.

I see three speeds show up from time to time on craigslist. I'd say be patient and keep an eye out there and one is bound to show up eventually.

 

Good looking ride. So the stock 3 speed trannies are only syncro between 2nd and 3rd. The conversion would also require a change to the drive shaft and mounting. Using a newer unit likely would need a change to the bell housing. The smarter folks will be along shortly.

 

I have 2 of the 3spd LD truck tranny's but one is my donor because the cluster is shot on the original. Definitely only synch'd between 2nd/3rd. Now on my 52 I don't believe it's synch'd at all and requires double clutching. It's the 4 speed spur gear type. There is a 4 spd synch'd model for a 48-52 but I'm not sure it would bolt up or not. Maybe someone can help with that?

 

I would be thrilled to find a synchro'd 4 speed!! I figured the drive shaft and perhaps mounts would have to modified almost regardless of what I end up with. I can live with that.

Thanks!!

 

Your rear axle gear ratio is not very friendly with most 4 speeds. Unless, of course, it's another truck type. Just a suggestion, but if I were going to the trouble of changing the tranny, I would opt for the B/W 5 speed so familiar with members here. Doing so will give you the synchros you want and an added bonus of a 5th gear overdrive.
Automotive 4 speeds have a final drive of 1 to 1, like your current tranny. If you are going to do the work, you might as well reap all the available benefits.

 

F-1 trucks are severely limited on transmission options unless you cut the cross member in your frame since the stock transmission is so short. I'm not willing to hack a frame myself. The above mentioned T-5 requires cutting. I recommend a stock floor shift three speed as used from 42 to 50. Keep your eyes on craigslist, local car folks, etc. and you should find one. The lack of syncro on first is not much of a problem. Just don't shift into first or reverse unless you are stopped. When stopped and shifting into first or reverse give a gentle nudge at second or third to stop the gears in the transmission, then move the stick to first or reverse.

Depending on the current gearing you may also be interested in the newly available higher speed gears for the rear axle, 3.54 ratio.

 

The T9 is the crash box 4 speed. The synchro 4 speed is the T98, which is longer than the T9. But as already stated, both use a different bell housing from the 3 speed. I believe the T98 is also only synched 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th.

 

BayouFlyFisher
I have a HD 3 speed Borg Warner T-87D (synchronized in 2nd and 3rd) floor shifter that I don't need but I hesitate to offer it as there are 2 issues.
1) It has been completely rebuilt (new bearings, syncro rings, countershaft, gear cluster, and seals) and I have a good amount of money into it so it is expensive. They are not readily available especially in this condition.
2) It is very heavy and I am in Michigan. Shipping would be a pain. I am planning on going to the F100 Supernationals in Lebanon, TN on May 12, 13, and 14th and I could bring it with me if you wanted to meet me there

 

Thanks for the response. I've sent you an email.

Johnny aka BayouFlyFisher

 

What is a 1948 Ford F1 Light Duty 3spd transmission called? I see T5, 9, 87, etc.. I also see top load, side load, etc.. I am officially confused!

 

It's a T86. Strictly speaking, "T" numbers are Borg-Warner numbers, but Ford built these under license from B-W. The LD was made in both top-loader (48-50 trucks with floor shift) and side-loader (51-52 column shifter). Internally a side-shifter and top-loader are identical except for the shifter components.

Edit: I should qualify my response. There was a change in the internals in 51 that means a 48-50 can't use some parts from a 51-52, and vice versa. Not an issue unless you are going to buy new or used parts.

 

Hey Johnny,
Welcome Aboard! You & your son should have a lot of fun with your F1.
We've got a '50 F1 but my son runs off to college with it quite a bit!

I can't help you too much we went restomod with our's & we have an AOD
overdrive transmission with a 351W V8.

Good luck over there!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Thanks Ben. But that fine young man in the picture is my grandson. He and his mom are part of this project. Cody is a jeep and truck guy that works on his and ALL of his friend's trucks/jeeps. This will be his first build of a vintage truck. Erin, my daughter, has been chomping at the bit for a while now to get an old truck. She's looking forward to getting her hands dirty. We're all pretty excited.

Pezsox, you perfectly explained my level of confusion!!

 

And Ross answered all the questions in post #12 above.