What would be the best option or easiest option to put an overdrive transmission in my 48 F-3 pickup? It has 4.86 gears in the rear end and a 226 Flathead 6 cylinder that is mildly hopped up. I would just like to get a bit more out of the top end but you can't beat the pulling power that it has.

Thanks

 

What trans is in there now?

 

the original 4 speed non-synchro.

 

If you want to stay with a manual you might look into a T-5. I am not sure but I think they can be adapted to a 6. There are a few options as far as 5th gear goes. They normally come with a .63 fifth but can be changed out to a .73.

____________________________
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Darkside

"Happiness - 3 pedals and a 5 speed"

 

I'd think with an F-3 a T-5 might have too much load on it, at least the non-World Class ones. One of the ZFs might be better, but I think it could be a pain to adapt. What about a rear axle swap? What diameter tires do you have?

 

Will the T-5 let me use the pulling power that I have now or am I going to be reduced a lot so as not to tear up the transmission?

 

I'm with Ross. A rear axle swap to a pre '72 F-250 Dana 60 is the easier swap. Plus it lets you get rid of the 14" rear brakes on your stock Timken axle and stock 17" "widow maker" wheels. It lets you swap to safer 16" one piece F-250 wheels at all four corners.

Thank you for your service. Stu

 

I have 7.00 x 17 on the front and 7.50 X17 tires on it. I just want to change out the transmission since that is the only thing keeping me slowed down. An overdrive and I would get to decent road speeds with my 226 and dual carbs and Mallory distributor.

 

You have "widow maker" wheels. The technical term is "Firestone RH-5°". A Google search of those terms will yield a lot of safety and tech info that we've posted for others. At some point you'll need to replace those tires and probably won't find any reputable shop to touch them. A rear end and wheel swap makes more sense than a tranny swap. Stu

 

I know what I have for wheels, I also am quite able to deal with these myself as I have done them many times before and happen to have them on most of my farm trucks. Not that I really wanted them but that is the way they came. I also am not going to replace all 24 wheels to be rid of them on my farm. So a set on my pickup is not going to bother me.

 

Understood. The Dana 60 with a 3.54 vs your stock 4.86 would achieve the same as the tranny swap, and would be a pretty straight forward bolt in deal. If you're worried about the T5 handling the torque of the 226, there'd be no such concern with the Dana 60. Stu

 

I am just worried about total pulling power, if I will still be able to pull the same things and not be too hard on it. 2 full loads of hay bales and other similiar loads.
What about an overdrive transmission from a F-7. Will that fit?

 

As I understand they're a longer unit which would then present other challenges. Same with the ZF5. Others who've been down this road need to speak up. Stu

 

The guy I sold my 53 f350 to bought an auxillary trans like a 'brownie' and not sure if he's mounted it yet. I can ask him. Gives him overdrive or under, depending on mounting. A friend that still uses a 49 chev dump truck with a 235 bought a divorced transfer case from a wrecking yard and uses it for 'underdrive' low range without any 4 wd. That would work if you went to a modern rear end but wanted some low gears. Neither one is real simple, but doable.

 

The typical S-10 T-5 is definitely not up to what you are looking for. The ones most commonly used are NWC (non-World Class) but have the desireable shifter position. A T-5 out of a Mustang GT is WC and with some parts swaps (S-10 tailhousing) would be up to the task AND have a good shifter position, BUT it is not a true truck transmission. It has a higher torque capacity but is not intended to see high torque loads for hours on end like the ZF truck tranny.

I have an S-10 T-5 that is WC, but it is not a HD tranny. It will do fine behind my flat V8 and pullinbg around 3100 lbs of truck, and normally no load in the bed.