I am sure someone from here can answer this question for me. My son and I were talking about trucks today, trying to figure out when it was that Ford came out with the AOD. I know it was sometime in the 80s, but I am not too sure what all it was offered on or what year it came out. Just to be clear, I am talking about the overdrive trans that came with the carb engines. I don't know if they came only on the 1/2 ton trucks or if the 3/4 ton trucks came with them too. I also don't know if they were offered with the vans or not. Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

I can't say exactly when they first started putting the AOD into the trucks exactly, but I can guess that it was around 81-82. I can tell you that they did come in 1/2 tons. Don't think they came in the F-250 and up...most of those stuck with the venerable c6.

Vans got it too, as my dad had two of the 80-86 vans with 302's and AODs.

 

My 83 F-150 has the AOD and was originally mechanical operation. It looked like a kickdown rod with some extra pieces at the carb. I have since switched to cable operated using a kit from Lokar.

 

That's earlier than I thought. I was thinking '84 was when they started being offered. His truck is an 85 and it has the C6 in it. So, y'all say the AOD was not available in the 3/4 or one ton trucks of the era?

 

The AOD started life in cars somewhere around 1980 and was beefed up slightly and installed in 1/2 ton trucks a little later, but it seems Ford always considered this a light duty trans as it was never installed in anything bigger than a 1/2 ton or with anything bigger than a 302 in front of it. The transmission does have weaknesses in stock form but these are well known and easily addressed to make it capable of supporting high output motors in severe conditions like drag racing, there are even adapter plates availabe to mate it with big block and GM engines.

 

He's not going to like finding this out. What got us talking about this is because he wants to get a 3/4ton truck to replace the 1/2ton he has now ('85, 351 HO, C6). He really doesn't have a need for a 3/4ton truck, but he wants to get one cause he thinks it would be cool. You all know how young folks get these things in their heads and then ya can't get them out. The truck he has right now only gets 13mpg. He knows he can't get a dentside with the AOD in it, but he was hoping that he could find a 3/4ton in the 80-86 body style with one in it so it wouldn't suck down so much gas. He really doesn't like the 87-92 front end design, so they're pretty much out, and the 92-96 style would probly cost him more than he is willing to pay. Guess he's SOL, huh? LOL!

 

I hate to disagree, but there have been many sightings of an AOD in a F250. The AOD was only used behind 6cyl and 302 engines in the F100-F250 trucks. I have no idea if it was offered in a F350, though I seriously doubt it.
I think it first appeared in F-series trucks around 81 or so.
The E-series van also saw the AOD used in a similar fashion.

 

You can swap the AOD into the 3/4 ton easily. There is no reason why it wouldn't work...it just didn't come factory with one. If you wanted to you could put his 351W and an AOD in a dentside as well. I do caution you though that the AOD will not hold up well to the 351 if he likes "flashy" driving.

 

Yeah, I suppose he could do a transmission swap, but I doubt he would want to. We don't have a garage he could work in, and the prospect of having to do that involved of a project in the yard is not something I think he'd be too keen on. He's hoping to take the engine, trans, and rear end out of the truck he has now before he takes it to the junk yard, and he's told me he doesn't want to do the work laying on the ground. He's already told me that he'll take the truck, engine and all, to the junk yard before he does the work in the yard. I can't say that I blame him. Working on your ride in the yard can be a real PIA.

At any rate, I sure appreciate the help.

 

Personnally if your looking for MPG the best thing he could do would be to put a tranny with OD in it whether that is a manual or automatic transmission would be up to you.

 

I don't blame your son for not wanting to work on this in the yard. Until here recently I didn't have access to a shop, nor a concrete slab so doing all my work in the yard was par for the course. The easiest way I feel to do this is to pull his current combo from the current truck...bolt an AOD to it and swap it into the new truck, because it will be easier to swap both at once.

That is if he decides its worth the effort to do in the yard, which I'd have to think long and hard about myself.

 

It is not a shop, but some sheets of plywood laid on the ground will help a bunch. Spike them to the ground at the corners and the middle. It is a lot easier to manage a jack and creeper without sinking in the ground.

 

My 1981 F100 came with an AOD and 302 engine. I have since replaced the 302 with a
351W that I built. The AOD runs good behind the 351W.

 

1981 was the First year in the F series.

Mine has 238,000 miles and is still going. We did replace the torque converter because is balloned and cracked, thus leaking ATF everywhere. I mark that up to a misadjusted TV rod when it was converted to a 4V Carter.

Kenny

 

If you do decide to go with a trans swap, I have a AOD out of a 83. I also have all the hardware required for the swap. As I said in a previous tread I will trade for a 6 pack, and will share the 6 pack with you. All you have to do is come and get it. Dont know where you are but I am just north of San Antoinio Texas.