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I'm looking to buy this rollback in the very near future to haul junk cars around. It run's and drives pretty well, but it's hard to start (figure it's going to need a set of GP's). While test driving it today I noticed that it didn't ever shift into a 4th gear. Would any of you be able to tell me what kinda of tranny this truck came with? My fear is that they tranny is going to be the weakest part of the vehicle. Also, If I were able to fine a 5sp manual, would have run into any problems changing it over? Thx.
If the truck is an 86 with an automatic, it should be a C6. There is no 4th gear. The C6 has a good rep for being reliable and won't cost you an arm and a leg for a repair or rebuild.
For what it is worth, the hardest ZF 5 install I ever saw was in a roll back.
The biggest problems were the PTO drive for the hydraulic pump, opposite side on the ZF 5 and reverse rotation.
So the hydraulics had to be replumbed, the PTO setup had to be reworked to the opposite side of the driveline, and a new pump with reverse rotation before the hydraulics worked.
The next problem was the non standard wheelbase, extra long, and the two piece driveshaft.
A custom made driveshaft was the way out of that one.
All in all, the hydraulics work made that a very expensive swap.
With all the different PTO/hydraulic setups out there, you would just have to give everything a hard look to make sure they are compatible.
I was just throwing out a couple more things that need looked at.
Unfortunetly, the people doing that swap I was talking about did not look at anything except there was a provision for a PTO that was blocked off with a plate.
And then when they went to hook it up, found out they should have looked a little deeper.
With all the different PTO/hydraulic setups out there, you would just have to give everything a hard look to make sure they are compatible.
I was just throwing out a couple more things that need looked at.
Unfortunetly, the people doing that swap I was talking about did not look at anything except there was a provision for a PTO that was blocked off with a plate.
And then when they went to hook it up, found out they should have looked a little deeper.
I'm just looking at my options, for the most part I think the C6 will work fine, I was just concerned about its reliability in a vehicle so old. The PTO won't be an issue though. They guy that put the truck together didn't go with the PTO and added pully's to crank, a bracket, and mounted the pump under the hood. It's the first time I've seen a setup like this.
That has been several years ago so it is a little foggy.
I do remember the rotation was wrong for what ever reason. (At one time I did know and remember)
And something about the PTO drive made the pump not line up, so it had to be reworked.
Thinking about it, the location may have become an issue with the new reverse rotation pump.
I just know they had a very bad time before everything was working.
I'm just looking at my options, for the most part I think the C6 will work fine, I was just concerned about its reliability in a vehicle so old.
oh don't worry about that.
as far as the C6 goes,it's a great trans.just outdated today due to just being a direct drive unit and a TC that always slips.just old,outdated technology.very,very reliable.also very cheap to replace/rebuild too anyway.so little to worry about in that regard.
with today's fuel prices,if you drive a lot per year? it's gunna cost ya much more than if you just installed a fresh rebuilt overdrive trans for it.also of course the ownership duration plans must be considered also.
if you just plan on driving under 55 mph,drive a couple oil changes worth of miles per year,and plan to have the truck for 5 yrs.then forgetaboutit.run 'er.
if you plan on 55+ mph avg.drive 10-15k per yr.and plan on an ownership of 5+ yrs.you would save boat loads of cash in fuel by swapping to an OD trans.
reliability with the C6 isn't much of a concern though.
they make overdrive units which help lower the rpms quite a bit.however,you've always got an open torque converter.