T 170FS (RUG Code) (SROD) Single Rail Over Drive

Hello. I find myself involved in a Ford 300-6 project that uses a transmission that (according to some information) is utilized by an early 80's Bull-nose Ford. It seems that this transmission came in a few different variety's including top mount, side mount shift, and a turret style.

I am looking for a turret style (Single rail Overdrive) as a spare for a Ford I am working on. In this application (a van) a top mount shift won't work but a SMOD (side mounted shift Hurst style) will work.

I wasn't sure if these bull-nose Fords used a top mounted shift or what, hence my post. There seems to be conflicting info on the net about what trucks came with. Even 5Speeds.com doesn't have information on what came in a truck. I know many other Ford products of the years used these but I'm not clear on what differentiates a Mustang Version versus an F100 version etc.

I get the fact that many choose to replace these possibly and understand their drawbacks, but since I have committed to find one or two, it may help to know where A logical source would be for a truck version.

I have found sources all over the US for them..just no information as to what specs they offer relating to truck use. Unless I have searched improperly, I could find NO information about them in the FAQ's unfortunately.

Thanks in advance for any practical input you may have and a good day to all.

 

These trucks could have either the RUG 4 speed overdrive or the SROD 4 speed overdrive. The RUG is a strong relative of the old 4 speed toploader, but they turned the the 3/4 shifter lever upside down, and made 4th gear which is one to one 3rd, and converted 3rd gear to a overdrive gear. So really when you are in the highest gear, you are in what used to be 3rd in the old toploader trannies.

From what I have read, the SROD is just a modification of this tranny above, and instead of the hurst style levers on the side like the RUG, they added a aluminum tail piece with a single rail, and the shifter is integrated into the top of the new aluminum piece and sits back a little bit.

Here's a picture of the "rail" and shifter of the SROD(single rail over drive).

 

Here's the RUG with the levers on the side. See the big cover on top? That's why they call it a "toploader" you work on it through that cover.

 

I appreciate the info Dave. I have also seen a version of this with the shifter on the top cover as well. I wasn't sure how most of the F series of our era came but the project I am working on (an E150) is like the SROD picture. For a 2wd trans it seems to function well enough. I think I would prefer the SMOD version RUG T170 (with the Hurst style shifter). But after pricing the shifter by itself, I'd have to find one complete for sure.

Thanks for the input..

 

I have this one for sale. Located in Albuquerque

 

I think mine looks very similar..

I wish you were little closer however.

 

That looks like a car SROD, different shifter location and gearset, this is a truck one:


This is the TOD that followed it:


The RUG trans is what Ford put in vans from the factory.

 

The van I have is an 83 and it does have the turret shifter set back farther housing than your truck photo..I'll have to take a pic tomorrow to
be sure..

Update, I was wrong..It seems I DO have a truck SROD..



About different gearing for a car or truck, I'm ready for some schooling on that.

 

I appreciate all of the input on the T170 family of transmissions. I have found a local truck version I may be able use for spare parts anyway if nothing else. I enjoy the NP435 in my 86 Bronco, as well as the C6 in my 85 Bronco.

In this 83 E150 which will be a camper conversion, I may actually attempt to convert this SROD into a direct drive 4 speed if it is do-able since 45-55 mph is about all the road speed it will ever see. This mod would help make it more drivable around town anyway getting rid of that "grand-canyon" 2-3 split as well. Thanks again for the input.

 

So how did that 1983 Van trans converision go ? don't know when this post was written but Im attempting to put one of these ( SROD ? )aluminum case in a 1970 Econoline (E-200) with a 302 . (laugh)
Does anyone have any idea what Im getting myself into ?
I dont like that these trannys have NO drain plug .
Thanks for any info guys

 

Don't know how that all turned out as this discussion was almost 7 years ago. But, with the 1970 van, how are you going to shift the transmission? You'll have a shifter popping up under the second row seat or in the middle of the cargo area.

If you want an OD transmission, consider the AOD from '88 tp '93, from a truck or V8 car. Have it gone through and pay particular attention to the throttle valve adjustment.

Swerving suggestion......

 

Thank you sir !
I had started on a AOD and changed my mind last min (long story) . And so this RUG trans has the shifter located at its drivers side pointing upward and i would make a sharp L shape bend so it could reach me thru the floor .
Ideas ?

 

The RUG version has the side mounted shifter with external linkage. The SROD has the turret and tube, and the TOD has the shifter coming out of what was the tin cover.

The SROD is at least offset a little to the driver side, so that might be your best bet. Shifting will be awkward and you may have some issues clearing the doghouse, or being able to reach 4th.

The RUG version is the iron case. The others are aluminum. As long as you don't make a fire breather out of your 302 and take it easy on the trans, it should last.

The SRODs were in pickups and vans. My '85 van had the RUG version. Mustangs got SRODs too. Depending on your rear axle ratio, you might get by with one of those. Depending on your tire, 3.73 or even 4.10s would be a good gear to run.

 

Thank you ,
I stand corrected :
So I have the SROD ?
I have the aluminum one without the little tube (mines another 'buried' version of the tube you mentioned ) .
Do you think the hole where the shifter goes in will clear the doghouse ?

 

Sorry I kind of glossed over your pic:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...9a4f9fefba.jpg

THAT is a SROD. Single Rail OverDrive.

As pictured in the '83 van, it comes out just past and to the side of the doghouse.

In a '70 van, how far back does the doghouse go? Certainly not too far past the back of the block, right? (many moons since I've seen one) So you can measure from the back of the block in the '83 and take that number over to the '70 to see where the shifter is going to break the surface.....