Hi you all, I wanted to inform myself on this forum because I want to convert a f450 super duty rollback from manual trans to automatic, rollback has a 460cui engine, which type of trans would you recommend, truck now has a floor shift, is there any kit to get for a auto trans that has floorshift too (so i don't need to change the steering column), would i need to change more than the trans and the drive shaft? all help appreciated, thank you, regards, Wim

 

If you are trying to keep it simple, a C6 does not require any wiring/computer to operate. You need to switch from flywheel to flexplate, need a torque converter, and a starter for an automatic. You are also going to need cooling lines and a way to cool the ATF. Most radiators have a port that runs the trans fluid in a separate chamber of the radiator. You could probably rig up a floor shifter, but it wouldn't be a stock setup.

 

A C6 would be simpler, and since they went in a lot of cars, there might even be a floor shifter from some car you could fab in. But the F-SDs generally had pretty short (high ratio) diff gearing, like 4.63 or 5.13 or whatever. So without the OD, your RPMs are going to be screaming at highway speed.

Also, the truck probably has a driveline parking brake, so you'll need to get a transmission (no matter what you choose) from either a 4x4 truck or another F-SD. I don't think you need to replace the column, anyway; you just need to swap the covers, and install the shifter on the column.

 

in 89, the 460s were EFI so you would need an ECM

if diesel, then you wound NOT need a computer to run a c6 trans but like stated above you will have no OD and it will SCREAm driving down the road with 4.63 to 5.13 gears

 

Yeah,you really need a 4wd gas bell housing E4OD.The C6 in one of these trucks would just be a 35-45mph max truck.If you thought your current 7-8mpg is bad with the ZF5,you would really love the 3-4 mpg the C6 would give ya lol.
So you would need a 4wd trans,driveshaft length changed,possibly the cross member changed or modified and I dunno but I'm sure rigging up a floor shifter would be the easy part.It's not real easy but I can't imagine extremely difficult either.Might be money ahead,and certainly time ahead anyway,to just buy and resell.The F-Super Duty/F450 of the era are not terribly expensive trucks.Especially if you buy one without a bed,set your rollback on and hey,you could not only gain the auto your after but go with the diesel too.

 

I'm doing the opposite with my 92. Let me know if you need any parts.

 

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to move away from the manual trans to an automatic? It seems to me the manual would be far more rugged and reliable, particularly in a rollback application.

 

A C6 will work, but as mentioned, you won't have overdrive which will be real tough in an F-SuperDuty.

I would recommend picking up an E4OD for a 460 (it has to be a 460 E4OD), and having it rebuilt to the '95-'97 specs (if it isn't already), then getting a 3rd part transmission controller like a U.S. Shift.

 

Hundreds of dollars cheaper to just swap oem ECM's though.From his one with the standard to one that controls the engine/auto trans.Reman units are probably around $100 ain't they? Of course,the oem e4od harness needs to be sourced.abranz likely has all he needs.They could swap ECM's.

 

The E4OD ECU might be cheaper, but then he needs to source the factory E4OD underhood harness, which would expensive and a nightmare to change out. He could re-pin his existing harness, but that's also a ton of work.

 

Or just look for someone looking to do the swap in the opposite direction, and.....

 

No, closer to triple that.
With his '89 only an '88-91 ECU can be used. Unless he changes all the engine wiring as well. The different style of ignition (push start vs CCD) requires that the ECU, wiring and TFI module all match.
A stand alone as mentioned would be 1000xs easier and programmable as well.

 

He'll be out thousands then by the time he buys a good E4OD,aftermarket controller,driveshaft and cross members modified and whatever else it takes.Not to mention all the hours to do the job.Then he's still stuck with a 460 in an F450. (5-7 mpg)
So it's much quicker,easier and more cost effective to go grab an F450 with a diesel (or another 460 if he prefers) with auto trans.Install his rollback and sell what he has.