The 4-speed manual trans in my pu is jumping out of third gear,and it's getting to be time to replace or update it. It is a 1971 Ford F-250 4X4 with a 390 FE engine. What do I need to put a more modern 5-speed manual overdrive transmission in my truck? Is it ever possible?

 

To my knowledge...it is NOT possible to install a ZF (FORD) 5 spd to your FE engine. The bellhousing is part of the tranny case...and cannot be modified.

However...there are kits available to install a NP4500 (Dodge version) 5 spd tranny on the FE engine. This is a very popular upgrade!

Do a search in the FE forum here at FTE...and I am sure you will find it. I would give you the FTE member who did the conversion...but I cannot remember. Sorry...

biz

 

Thanks! I'll try to do a search.

 

Thread moved. Enjoy!

 

check out advance adapters they have a two speed spliter that goes infront of your trans and is od/1:1 or underdrive/1:1 so that would be like having a duplex trans like an old mack truck except it will shift easy and at speed without skill!

 

Thanks,but my trans needs to be rebuilt or replaced and it would probably be a lo cheaper to just buy a good used 5-speed trans if it will work.

 

Went looking for an old thread...and here it is. Can you tell I LOVE the 390FE motor!!!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...390-roars.html

Hope this helps...Good luck!

biz

 

Yes,it does help. Thank you! I have it saved to my hd,although I am going to have to look for a cheaper way to do it.

 

Oops, til you said cheap, I was going to say take a look at the Tremec TKO trannies, they make them up to a 600 ft. lb. torque rating.... Just kind of spendy.....

 

Can't really afford to spend more than I have to spend. The truck is a truck I use to pull my car trailer or haul heavy junk with. It's not a everyday ride.

 

Just find a 5spd out of a F-600-800. The O/D versions are a little harder to find than the direct ones though.

 

I really have my heart set on a overdrive,though. I need all the help I can get with gas mileage when pulling a car on a trailer at 70 MPH down the interstate with a 390.

 

NV4500,I think Advanced Adapters has a bellhousing or someone makes one, I think someone on hd board did this swap a longtime ago.

 

Anyone know what Dodge models and years would have the NV4500 in them to look for in the scrap yard? Seems like I could find one much cheaper there.

 

You probably would want the HD version. So look at Dodge 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4 models from 1995-'00. The '93 and '94 version had issues with hard shifting that were fixed in the later years.

Here is some GREAT reading:

http://www.nv4500.com/newsdesk_index.php/newsPath/12

http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...sionsFordTruck

Hope this helps...

biz