AOD to C6
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
Hey guys. I am going to swap out my AOD for a C6. The AOD is almost fried and I want a tranny that will last. The truck is a regular cab with the 8' bed. My question is what would go into replacing the AOD with the C6? From what I have gathered the C6 is only a .5" shorter than the AOD. Would the trans / transfer case spacer that I have now work on the C6? Driveshaft lengthened? New yokes? Different flexplate / flywheel? Different torque converter? Would I need to install the C6 kickdown linkage or not? First time doing this, just want to cover all the bases and do this right. Thanks for any feedback.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
Just thought that I would add that I am closing in on finding a used C6 to rebuild from a salvage yard as well. The cheapest that I have found one so far is $300. If I remember correctly the guy said that it came with a 7 month warranty from him. I think that I will still do the rebuild anyway. That about the cheapest that I am going to find?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
AOD to C6
Don't know about the swap, but that tranny price from a yard is a bit much. Around here, Advance Auto sells rebuilt C-6's for around $350 (with core) and they have a 15,000 mile, 15 month warranty. Without the core its still under 500 bucks if I remeber correctly.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
Advance Auto Parts can get rebuilds that cheap huh? I may check them out. But my core is not a C6 but an AOD. Yeah, I thought that $300 was a little much too. I did find one today for $150. The only catch is that it is out of a '82 Bronco. From what the guy told me the valve bodies were different on the '82 versus the one for my truck which is a '88. He also said that the the shift linkage and the kickdown may be different too. I have the rod-style shift linkage still for my AOD, which I thought was the same back then. You think that would still work and worth the money? If I did that, I wonder how much a different valve body would cost or if I need one at all? Thanks for replying 1/2 TON. I am a novice when it comes to the drivetrain. Not much experience yet. Appreciate the input.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
AOD to C6
Hmmm, didn't see that it was a 4x4 hehe. A 4x4 c6 should still be pretty cheap with the core. Also, i'm no expert, but I am learning. I looked around in my Haynes manual and there didn't seem to be any difference between an '82 and an '88 c6 (dont know why there would be). Have no idea what that guy was talking about different valve bodies(maybe comparing your AOD to the c6). I would take the kickdown thats on the c6 just to be safe. As for the shift linkage, the AOD has an extra gear, so your colum shifter will be able to go father than whats allowed on a c6. That could damage it. Um, make sure the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same and you might have to have your driveshaft lengthened. Thats about all I can think of off the top of my head, if no one else posts with more info, I would suggest calling your local parts store or even the ford plant. Good luck. Oh yeah, try a Google search and see if anything comes up.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
According to my local Ford dealer the valve bodies have different part numbers but he was not sure if there was an actual difference between the two. As for the shift linkage the AOD only has three forward gear shifts. P-R-N-OD-D-1. It doesn't allow you to manually shift into 2. So the C6 should work just fine with the existing shift linkage. I have someone back here that I can talk to about this but I wanted to see if any of you here had any recommendations. Any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
AOD to C6
you can replace the aod with a c6 no problem. your shift indicator will work ok as the aod only has p,r,n,d,d,l with the second drive allowing od while the first only allows 1,2,3 .The C6 has p,r,n,d,2,1,. flex plate is the same converter holes line up. starter is of course the same . only difference is vacuum line for the modulator on the C6 and linkage for the downshift which is different as is the shift linkage which mts between the frame and the trans and that part of the linkage. A 4X4 -C6 has a deeper pan in one spot but otherwise they interchange in all other respects with a 2 wheel drive trans, the only real differnce is that the tailshaft is shorter on a 4X4 (not talking about the tailshaft housing). This is a good swap except you lose o/d and depending on your axle ratios that can be aggrevating.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
AOD to C6
I'd recommend talking to that guy some
Like I said before, i'm no expert, but i can tell you this......best make sure that the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same. If its not, then theres just no point in going on. There different lengths, make sure that the tranny cross memeber lines up EXACTLY with both trannies or one won't fit the other and again, it would be pointless to go on. If the c6 will bolt up to your engine and set down on the cross memeber exactly (take some accurate measures first), then the rest of what needs to be done seems to be just "feild fab" work. Also have faith in your mechanical abilty, preferably someone to help manhandle it and another vehicle to get parts u may need in. Hehe, this is not a project you want turning into a "learning experience", do lots of research. Hopefully someone else will speak up who's done it and give you some pointers. Good luck.
Like I said before, i'm no expert, but i can tell you this......best make sure that the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same. If its not, then theres just no point in going on. There different lengths, make sure that the tranny cross memeber lines up EXACTLY with both trannies or one won't fit the other and again, it would be pointless to go on. If the c6 will bolt up to your engine and set down on the cross memeber exactly (take some accurate measures first), then the rest of what needs to be done seems to be just "feild fab" work. Also have faith in your mechanical abilty, preferably someone to help manhandle it and another vehicle to get parts u may need in. Hehe, this is not a project you want turning into a "learning experience", do lots of research. Hopefully someone else will speak up who's done it and give you some pointers. Good luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
AOD to C6
I've done it both ways. The bellhousing for the C6 comes in 2 bolt patterns ; one for the 300 I6 ,302,351w and the other for the so called big block fords i.e. 460,429,400, 351M.The Aod only fits 300I6,302,351w.So - unless you want to change the cases be sure you get a C6 for the small block engines. otherwise it's a bolt in,with the slight difference in o/all length and the slots in the trans crossmember are long enough for both.Your slip joint on your driveshaft can accomodate both.no other problems.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
So you are saying that besides the downshift linkage everything should just bolt in no problem? That would be awesome. By the slight difference in length in the C6, will that affect the front driveshaft at all? the rear at all? Will the spacer between the trans (AOD) and the tc (BW 1356) fit the back of the C6 just fine? But other than what you have stated and/or what I just asked everything else will just be a bolt in? That is just about what I wanted to hear. The driveshaft and slip joint? (on back of tc) yokes being the same is awesome. Thanks for all the feedback.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
AOD to C6
my experience is that the adapter between the trans and trsfr cases are the same bolt patterns.The only slight problem I've ever encountered is when mating the aod or C6 to a np205 trsfr case and in that case one has to either notch the flange on the trsfr case end of the adapter or have an old adapter, but in your case it should be a bolt-in. I don't think you will have any driveshaft problems the slip joints should have adequate movement . You need the shift linkage at the trans for the C6 as there are slight but definite differences between the two and the kickdown linkage either a solid rod or cable , no other problems I can see- good luck
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: DeKalb, IL
AOD to C6
daerhldgs2, 1/2 Ton, thanks for all your help with this. The info is greatly appreciated. I have the BW 1356 transfer case so I don't think that there will be a problem with the spacer. After hearing that both linkage assemblies is about the only "problem" I getting very excited about the swap. There is one more thing though. I got to thinking last night on why there might possibly be a differenct between the valve bodies on an '82 C6 versus one from an '88. (stated earlier) Since my truck is EFI and the '82 in carbureted, would that have any affect on how or why the kickdown linkages would be different and possibly have any affect on the valve bodies as well? Not sure if that would make a difference or not but it was the only thing that I could think of that may influence that. Thanks again for all the insight. I hope that I can repay someone here with the same help that many of you have given me.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
AOD to C6
I am also considering swapping my AODE for a C6. I have a 94 F-150, 2wd, supercharged 5.0, 3.55 rearend. I figure the horsepower to be in the 400hp range with all the mods I've done to the motor. I pull a 26' enclosed race car trailer to the dragstrip and this is a very heavy trailer. I think the combination of pulling this trailer and the use of all the horsepower is what has caused the AODE to go out. I am wondering if I should replace it with a C6 or E40D. I know that the C6 is a bulletproof tranny and don't know how the E40D will hold up to the abuse. If anyone has experience with the E40D I would really appreciate hearing their opinion. As far as the overdrive, I don't really care if I have it or not. I just want to install the best transmission for my application, which ever one that will stand up best to the abuse I will put it through.
TIA for any help that anyone can give me.
TIA for any help that anyone can give me.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
AOD to C6
for the efi you'll have to in all probability use a cable kickdown , should be easy to get because Ford uses the C6 in efi applications. As far as using a C6 or a E4od , the e4od wont handle the towing as easily as the C6 and using o/d while towing would cause premature trans failure. The C6 is bulletproof.