Hey guys, I just joined the forum and this is my first post, so I guess this is my introduction and a couple questions.

I have an early 1977 Ford F-250 with a 460 and a 4 speed transmission. It has the power assist steering. I am trying to make my pickup a little more driver friendly so anyone can just jump in it and go if the had to, ie. my wife. Lol.

So my first question is transmissions. I am wanting to put an automatic in it. It has the divorsed transfer case on it so could I just take a tranny out of a car or 2wd pickup and bolt it in? Is a c6 the easiest option? Are they the same overall length as the 4 speed? Is there an overdrive tranny that will just bolt up?

My next question is what options do I have to make this thing full power steering?

 

It's my understanding that you can drop that manual trans and bolt up an automatic...will probably have to shorten the driveshaft between trans and transfer case. An E4OD came with the 460 bellhousing, but you will have to get a stand alone computer from Baumans(sp?)...$$$$
If you decide to go automatic, I would be VERY interested in the bellhousing and flywheel from your 460!
Power steering....gonna take some fab work.

 

Welcome to FTE!

For starters, are you sure it is a 460? Ford did not put a 460 in a 4wd truck until the mid 80's. It's very possible that someone could have swapped in a 460, because the 351M was an option in 77, and it shares the the same bellhousing bolt pattern as a 460.

On the topic of transmissions, it is primarily just a bolt in swap. Most people run into issues going from auto to manual. Your choices of transmissions are C6, AOD, and E4OD. The C6 is a 3 speed non overdrive manual valve body transmission. The AOD is a 4 speed overdrive transmission, manual valve body. It is similar in appearance to the C6, and retains the basic dimensions. The E4OD is going to give you the best gearing, but it is a computer controlled transmission, and is a beefy son of a gun. It will not fit in the engine bay/transmission tunnel without modifying the firewall. With any swap, I do believe you will need too get a new intermediate shaft made.

As for the steering, the most common conversion is to the style off the 78-79 trucks. Some other people with more knowledge on the topic will probably pipe in, but the easiest way I see to do it is to find a truck that is getting parted out, and snag the steering gear out of it. You'll probably need the outers for the axle so that you get the correct mounting points for the steering gear.


-Jameson

--EDIT--
It just occurred to me, manual transmission trucks have a taller transmission tunnel than the 2wd trucks. It's possible that an E4OD will fit with less or no modifications to the firewall. But don't hold me to it. I'll leave the topic open for debate to those with more knowledge.

 

Lol. Sorry, yeah I know it is a 460 because I put it in about 10 years ago. It had a 429 in it before that my dad put in it about 25 years ago. But it did have a 351m from the factory.

Does anyone know what the length from the front of the bell housing to the tail is?

 

I don't have much to say, except my opinion on the power assist. I have a '78 with a 400 and 4 speed and can say that I have no desire to upgrade the steering at all, even if money was no issue. It is nearly as easy to turn as my 2008 Ford Edge. Thumb and one finger is all I need to use. I would think anyone should be so lucky to have there steering as nice as mine is. Of course, maybe I'm the minority. Just my opinion.

 

Being a 78' yours is power steering, not power assist so I imagine it probably is pretty good. With power assist you aren't driving the pickup, you are herding it, which scares the hell out of my wife. Lol

 

The difference between power steering and power assist is how the steering is actuated. With power assist, there is a hyrdo ram that helps push/pull the steering linkage when you turn the wheel. This system uses the same gearbox as the manual steering trucks.

Power steering trucks have the full gearbox powered, so that when you turn the wheel, the hydro system does all the work.

That make sense?

--
If you really wanted to keep it simple, just go to manual steering. It's a bit to get used to, but its not so bad

But there are definitely some advantages to PS. I've considered the swap myself, but don't have the time.


-Jameson

 

Yeah I know what the difference is. And manual steering wouldn't help me much since I am trying make it easier for my wife to drive. Lol

Here is a couple of pics just to give you an idea what I am working with.

 

I hope my pics came up. First time posting pics.

 

The explanation was more for Brokersteve.

You def don't want manual steering with those meats. I'm dreading the day that I have to go out and buy some 12.50 wides for my truck. That's all I can get in a 16.5 rim (without shelling out over 300 per..)

So depending on how much work you want to do, it may just be more worthwhile to find a whole front axle setup for power steering, and throw that under. I don't know how HP vs a LP front axle will bode with suspension and driveline geometry, so I'll let somebody else chime in.


Btw, great looking rig!
-Jameson

 

Thanks, if I do an axle swap on it, it will be a Dana 60. I just don't know if I want to get that deep in to it.

 

Welcome, and nice truck. Just a note on something I learned the hard way. The bell housing on the c6 is integral to the case. So you will need one for 385 series (429/460) or 335 series(351/400). There are three different bellhousings
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• small-block (260, 289, 302, 351W, and 351C)
• FE-series big-block (332 to 428)
• 335-series (429 and 460, plus the 351M and 400, which shared the same bellhousing pattern

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The case is 20" long. Tail shaft housing came is several lengths also. The Lincoln version at 17.4 inches long; the truck housing at 7 inches long; cars were 14. There could be others............ So purchase cautiously.
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Welcome! Lots of great info here for your truck. Wish my 77 looked as good as yours! Very nice truck. Im jealous!

 

First the tranny, there is an option out there for a non electric 4R70W, or 700R4 Tranny see these guys AOD, AOD Performance Transmissions from PATC, AOD Transmission, AOD Mustang, AOD or these Dynamic Racing Transmissions You may or may not have to get an adapter (depending on tranny choice) and then modify the drive line from the Tranny to the T-case, track down a kick down linkage, tranny cooler & other small stuff. There are several power options clear to 1500 HP if I remember right.
Second, look at switching to hydroboost, & you upgrade your brakes and steering in one. There are a couple of stickys regarding the power steering box upgrades, which is the way I'm heading.
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for the E4OD choice

E40D Transmission Swap - Custom Classic Trucks Magazine

they mentioned moving and "forming" the fwd tank but nothing about the tunnel. the only mention I have seen about tunnel interference is in diesel swaps, I wonder if the crankshaft height-to-frame spec is different