IS IT WORTH IT?
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
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IS IT WORTH IT?
87 F-150 4X4 302. I love my truck. The only thing I don't like is the fact it has a manual tranny. I am thinking of putting an automatic in to save me from selling it. I know I have to change some things and I was needing some advise. 1) What auto tranny would work well in this situation and if I found one, would it have to come from another 4X4 because of a tailshaft length problem.(sounds like a personal problem huh
2) If my radiator doesn't allow for tranny coolant lines, will an aftermarket tranny cooler work? 3) How much of a nightmare would converting the column to accomidate for the shifter or would I have to go get a whole steering column from an auto truck. Then the linkages, flywheel, clutch pedal removal, etc. Sound like a whole lot of work. But I'm not scared. My question is has someone else done this and had a success. or just plainly IS IT WORTH IT? Thanks 
2) If my radiator doesn't allow for tranny coolant lines, will an aftermarket tranny cooler work? 3) How much of a nightmare would converting the column to accomidate for the shifter or would I have to go get a whole steering column from an auto truck. Then the linkages, flywheel, clutch pedal removal, etc. Sound like a whole lot of work. But I'm not scared. My question is has someone else done this and had a success. or just plainly IS IT WORTH IT? Thanks 
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Ypsilanti
IS IT WORTH IT?
Hi. You might want to check some of the past posts. I read one from gates I believe who did a conversion just like yours. I was interested enough to look into it myself. I can't remember exactly where it was. Hope that this helps.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: LeClaire IA
IS IT WORTH IT?
if you love your truck anything is worth it if you want to sink the time and money.
yes it would have to come from another 4x4 to match up to the transfer case
just get trans cooler lines and a new radiator for an auto. (saves hassel of rubber lines and splices that can leak)
i cant see the colum being too bad i dont know for sure. and one more thing where are you getting the trans from?? if from a donor vehicle you should be able to get the converter,flex plate and other misc. items you may need. hope i helped ya out a little.
yes it would have to come from another 4x4 to match up to the transfer case
just get trans cooler lines and a new radiator for an auto. (saves hassel of rubber lines and splices that can leak)
i cant see the colum being too bad i dont know for sure. and one more thing where are you getting the trans from?? if from a donor vehicle you should be able to get the converter,flex plate and other misc. items you may need. hope i helped ya out a little.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Laurel Good ol' USA
IS IT WORTH IT?
It should be fairly simple if you get a column and linkage from a junker! As for the tranny, that all depends on what your looking to put in! Yes it will have to be from a 4x4 to work. The closer the year the better unless you plan to swap both tranny and transfer cases. The other thing you have to think of is driveshaft lenght! As for the cooler, you dont have to change the radiator if you get a big enough cooler!!!! Good luck! If we can help down the road let us know!
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Ypsilanti
IS IT WORTH IT?
Safedog, check the post in the transmission, differential, and transfer case forum under the author budcross. The date on this is dec 05, 01 and a reply from gates has what I think that you are looking for.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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IS IT WORTH IT?
Also for the column issue B&M racing offers floor mounted cable operated shifters just for trucks. They have a longer handle on them than the car shifters do, then you could have the cool ratchet shifter too. I don't recall them being terribly expensive, I've installed one in a '68 ch--y once and it was a snap.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
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IS IT WORTH IT?
mmcarter,slave2dafords,gooatee,greasyrod: Thanks for your inputs! The advise has helped me make my desision. I'm now in the market for a donor truck that I can rob from. If I'm lucky enough to get a whole truck, I'll be able to more closely look at the differences and what needs to be done. It's brothers like you that make this site a success. Thanks alot- Safedog
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Latrobe USA
IS IT WORTH IT?
If you have the mazda 5 sp you will need to get the drive shafts originally from an auto. I used a xfer case and shafts from an auto when I converted mine to 4x4, the 5 speed holds the case closer to the front (3" if I remember right) so you will have to get a longer shaft for the front and shorten the rear.
good luck.
good luck.
