Standard to automatic?
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New User
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Standard to automatic?
i have a 1972 F100. It has a 360 with a 4speed transmission. I' ex been wanting to convert the transmission to a C6 automatic. How big of a deal is this? I should say I'm not a mechanic. I' ex replaced fuel pump etc, but nothing major. The clutch is starting to slip a little and I thought this might be a good time to make the switch. Any thoughts?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I would like to offer a suggestion for a larger project. I'd like to suggest that you buy a 73-76 F100 donor truck and swap in the C6, the I-beams for power disc brakes, the Saginaw power steering gear, that will match the column needed to shift the new auto tranny. You then will have a much improved ride.
This is all bolt hole swap and by buying the donor you will have all the parts needed to do the upgrade.
John
This is all bolt hole swap and by buying the donor you will have all the parts needed to do the upgrade.
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I've been contemplating the same for my F250. IMO, not a big deal per se...
.....Trans, flex plate, TQ converter, trans cooler lines (or remote cooler), kickdown linkage, vacuum lines, a shortened or shorter coupling shaft, AT pedal assembly (or excise the clutch pedal & arm), steering column **with tilt?!** (or floor shift), some wiring changes, plug the clutch rod hole, excise the clutch linkage, and a (maybe) a different speedo cable/driven gear.
.....Trans, flex plate, TQ converter, trans cooler lines (or remote cooler), kickdown linkage, vacuum lines, a shortened or shorter coupling shaft, AT pedal assembly (or excise the clutch pedal & arm), steering column **with tilt?!** (or floor shift), some wiring changes, plug the clutch rod hole, excise the clutch linkage, and a (maybe) a different speedo cable/driven gear.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,856
Likes: 254
From: missouri
like jowilker said get a donor truck or find one at a local pick-n-pull.. make sure it has the right FE engine..then get everything from the flexplate to the driveshaft steering column and anything thing else you wanna change like the steering and brakes... where are you located? maybe some member is close enough to give ya a hand
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 72
It could be seen as a fun project. It could be seen as a frustrating project. But from my current experience it is not a project to rush. If you decide to go about the wrong way, like I did, build you a shopping list and start looking for sources and parts. Be aware of the nuances between the years when it comes to power steering, steering columns, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
And do you realize the difference in rear end gearing
between an auto trans and a manual? Going from a
manual to auto will leave you very low geared and it
will hardly get out of it's own way at WOT. So the engine
will be screaming at hi-way speed. So ya would also want
to change out the rear gears. And that may well escalate
into more mods that need done. Do ya have a 9 inch rear
in it now? If so than just a gear swap is easy and affordable.
If not than like has been said I would find a donor truck and
take all ya need and then some. Scrap or sell the rest.
I have changed out an Auto several times for a manual. I like
the higher gearing of the auto gears as it is like having an
overdrive even with a standard 4 speed swap. Most I did was 4X4
so I have low range for gettin heavy loads moving as well as
rock crawling off road to a point. Just trying to give ya a heads up.
As most of us have been there and done that.
On a side note: Jawliker John knows his stuff as to what to
get for a parts rig to upgrade yours. He is the go to Man
about this. So don't just wright off his advice. He is spot on.
between an auto trans and a manual? Going from a
manual to auto will leave you very low geared and it
will hardly get out of it's own way at WOT. So the engine
will be screaming at hi-way speed. So ya would also want
to change out the rear gears. And that may well escalate
into more mods that need done. Do ya have a 9 inch rear
in it now? If so than just a gear swap is easy and affordable.
If not than like has been said I would find a donor truck and
take all ya need and then some. Scrap or sell the rest.
I have changed out an Auto several times for a manual. I like
the higher gearing of the auto gears as it is like having an
overdrive even with a standard 4 speed swap. Most I did was 4X4
so I have low range for gettin heavy loads moving as well as
rock crawling off road to a point. Just trying to give ya a heads up.
As most of us have been there and done that.
On a side note: Jawliker John knows his stuff as to what to
get for a parts rig to upgrade yours. He is the go to Man
about this. So don't just wright off his advice. He is spot on.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
What will the primary use of the truck be? -hauling/pulling heavy loads or, just a truck to cruise around with in the city or out on the highway?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I thank you kindly for the nice words. 
I would like to say in this deal both the 4 spd manual and C6 auto are 1 to 1 high gear ratios that shouldn't offer a noticeable difference out on the road. The C6 has always been accused of robbing power, but the FE should handle that.
I believe that should engine size also be changed one could indeed see a power difference. My 2.
John
I would like to say in this deal both the 4 spd manual and C6 auto are 1 to 1 high gear ratios that shouldn't offer a noticeable difference out on the road. The C6 has always been accused of robbing power, but the FE should handle that.
I believe that should engine size also be changed one could indeed see a power difference. My 2.
John
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Yep. ALL non-overdriven transmissions are 1:1 in high gear. 1st gear ratios and the gear spread of the other gears in between may vary but if the transmission doesn't have an overdrive ratio, the driveshaft is going to turn the same number of revolutions as the engine.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2011
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Thank you all for the great words of wisdom. Sorry it took so long to get back. Been pretty busy. Still looking for a doner truck. Driving it almost daily in the meantime. The problem with the 4speec is that it tough to shift down into 2nd. Is that something that can be fixed easily? I don't have to have an automatic, just want a truck that drives easy. I want to tear into it to get more experience, but hate to ruin my truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 345
My 70 has the c6 auto but I miss shifting gears. Definitely not planning on changing anything but would rather have stick. Maybe nostalgia, like a 69 I drove in high school. Are these trucks available to rob parts where your from?
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