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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

1985 ford f150

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Old Jan 15, 2014 | 11:19 PM
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1985 ford f150

I'm thinking about buying a 1985 ford, but it's an automatic transmission. C6 if I'm not mistaken, I'm not exactly sure though. I'd like to make it a manual transmission and I'm wondering what transmission I can swap to. I'm getting no luck looking online and all of my buddies are Chevy fans, so no luck there. I'm not sure if it's the I6 or the V8 though. Anything helps, thank you.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2014 | 06:30 AM
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If you are going to the trouble to swap to manual, get a 5 speed out of a 87-up. You will need the pedal assembly out of a 86-dwn(hydraulic clutch, the very early ones were mechanical). But the later trucks had 5 speeds and they will give you better fuel mileage. All you are going to find in the 86-dwn trucks are 4 speeds, though some of them had a 4 speed with a overdrive gear, but they usually need a rebuild after many miles.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2014 | 07:58 PM
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It's funny I posted this then basically confirmed buying an 85 ranger instead. Thanks for the help though. I may buy one in the future, so it's very much appreciated. One another note, the clutch is out and I'm pretty sure I can just change the clutch plate and get it to move, but I worry about the older adjoining pieces, will they wear out at a rapid pace, or will they last me a few months?
 
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Old Jan 17, 2014 | 10:04 PM
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Get a kit, it's not that expensive. That will give you most of the clutch pieces you need, though you probably should get a new slave cylinder while you are at it. Unless you like taking the tranny out and putting it back in several times.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2014 | 03:46 AM
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Okay. So I did a little research and I've been reading that the "whatever" brands you get from oreillys and autozone are faulty and it's just something I don't want to mess around with. So do you know any good brands that are within a reasonable price range?
 
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Old Jan 20, 2014 | 11:58 PM
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Owned a 85 Bronco with 351 HO windsor with 4bbl stock Holley carburetor for 25 years and put 425K miles on it with a C6 three speed transmission, no overdrive function.

Based on my recent research the manual transmission options that were stock are:

1. 4 speed Borg-Warner T-18 with 4" long tail extension
2. 4 speed Borg-Warner, T-18 with 12" long tail extension

Both transmissions have a granny for 1st gear.
So, for normal driving would use 2nd, 3rd & 4th
Syncro in 2nd,3rd,4th , only.

3. Mazda/Toyo Kogyo, 5 speed, Japan
1st is granny with 2.73, 3.08,3.55, 4.10 options
No overdrive

4. ZF 5 speed, German made

Currently looking at the Tremec 4 speed , 4th is an overdrive at .73 ratio
The 351 windsor is very popular, so there are many bell housing options.
This transmission is good for 500 HP with syncro in all 4 speeds.
 
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Old Jan 21, 2014 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by raven3
Owned a 85 Bronco with 351 HO windsor with 4bbl stock Holley carburetor for 25 years and put 425K miles on it with a C6 three speed transmission, no overdrive function.

Based on my recent research the manual transmission options that were stock are:

1. 4 speed Borg-Warner T-18 with 4" long tail extension
2. 4 speed Borg-Warner, T-18 with 12" long tail extension

Both transmissions have a granny for 1st gear.
So, for normal driving would use 2nd, 3rd & 4th
Syncro in 2nd,3rd,4th , only.

3. Mazda/Toyo Kogyo, 5 speed, Japan
1st is granny with 2.73, 3.08,3.55, 4.10 options
No overdrive

4. ZF 5 speed, German made

Currently looking at the Tremec 4 speed , 4th is an overdrive at .73 ratio
The 351 windsor is very popular, so there are many bell housing options.
This transmission is good for 500 HP with syncro in all 4 speeds.
You need to do some more research. All the 5 speeds Ford used where overdrive trannies. They were also lightweight aluminum and not all, but most used auto tranny fluid. This was all to save weight and to increase fuel mileage. The zf is pretty tough, the Mazda not so much, but it depends on what you are going to use the truck for.

Here's a good link with info. Scroll down to see the ratios.
http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/t...ons_manual.htm
 
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Old Jan 21, 2014 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Fordguy_907
Okay. So I did a little research and I've been reading that the "whatever" brands you get from oreillys and autozone are faulty and it's just something I don't want to mess around with. So do you know any good brands that are within a reasonable price range?
You are talking about clutches, right?
If so, then I say Zoom or Centerforce are the ones that I have always had the best luck with. I would find the one that I thought would work, then upgrade it one. In other words, if you think a "Stage 1" will do, then go with a "Stage 2".
 
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Old Jan 21, 2014 | 04:44 PM
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I have just put a luke clutch in an it's pretty decent . I like my t170 beacuse if the od but the 2nd - 3rd is huge .,.
 
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Old Jan 30, 2014 | 01:40 AM
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Thank you guys for all the help. I've done a lot of research, and I've decided since luk made oem parts for factory parts. I'll go with one of those, it also just so happens napa carries all of the pieces needed to do a whole clutch replacement in stock. Any advice on changing the clutch for this specific year?
 
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