Hello, all. Just got my new truck off the trailer and in the driveway. She's an '85 F150, 4.9 4wd, with the TOD transmission. Can't seem to find much to read about these guys. Seems to shift perfectly, though it seems just a bit tight when shifting, and I do want to go through it. (That is, it slides in just fine, but seems almost as if the gearshift isn't lining up with something. It takes a moment of playing sometimes). Anyway, what kind of lubricant do these use? I know it doesn't have a drain. I heard someone say 80-90, another guy said a grease.. I've never played with one before I mostly work on older vehicles. Any pointers for this thing? I know your supposed to service it through the top.

 

Is it aluminum cased? If so it may take atf. Does the shift go,Thru the top or does it have a small stick shifting from the rear drivers side?

In 82 they were cast iron, I had an 83 that was aluminum.

Although not overly strong compared to other cast iron stick shifts of the time, they were pretty kewl imho. The aluminum xfer case mount is prone to break. Try looking for info on a Tremec t170

 

It's top shift, hence the TOD designation. And yes it's aluminum. I'll give that a shot.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Toploader_transmission
http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech/t...ons_manual.htm
http://www.f150hub.com/trans/t170-smod-srod-tod.html

IMHO it’s a great choice for a 300-6. Especially as a dd

 

Is a van with an smod version. I loved it. And for a SBF imho is a great cruising trans..good luck with your find.

 

Where is this "TOD" designation coming from? I have heard of the RUG and the SROD. I think there is one other. They are all the old Toploader 4 speeds, and they moved the shifting pattern around, so 3rd is one to one (Used to be 4th) and 4th is now 3rd and they messed with the 3rd gear ratios to make it a overdrive gear.

 

Never heard of "TOD"

 

some reading for you..

Tremec T170 SMOD, SROD, TOD Transmission Specs & Ratios

 

Learn something new everyday.

 

Interesting, Glad I went with a ZF-5

 

Read bottom of page 2 and page 3: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-chapter.html

Mobil 1 full synthetic - 75W90

This was in 2015 with 187,973 miles. Currently the truck has 205+K miles and the transmission and rear differential are quiet and smooth shifting.

 

Interesting that they call them al T170. The SMOD and TOD have nothing in common and the SMOD is actualyl a variant of the old cast iron toploader 4 speeds. It's been a long time since I had my hands on an SROD but I don't think it has anything in common with the other 2 either. The SROD were also found in cars but I've never seen either of the other 2 in any cars although the TOD was used in some Jeep products.

 

I had an srod in my 83 van, and SMOD in my 82 van and Both were the best shifting of any manual trans i've owned in recent times. I just wish the TOD was a cast iron case version, I always thought of trying to construct one if possible.
For me it's a winner , not having to pull the tranny to change the release bearing. Great 2wd solution with moderate power hooked to it.

 

No such thing as a TOD, it's TS-OD = Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive.
RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive:

1978/83 F100/150 2WD 300/302 & 1978/87 E100/250 300/302/351W / Misc 1977/79 Passenger Cars.

F100/150 use a completely different shift mechanism than the E100/250 (Econoline). Passenger Cars are different again.
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RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive:

1984/87 F150 2WD/4WD & Bronco 300/302.

TS-OD shift lever (a notorious POS!) is completely different than the 1978/83 F100/150 SR-OD shift lever.

After the first Arab Oil Embargo ended, Ford began installing the SR-OD in 1978 F100/150 & E100/250 in an effort to improve MPG

Both the SR-OD (originally designed for Granada/Mustang II) and the TS-OD are "weak sisters."

 

I thought the SROD was based on the other trans internally, but they modified the shifter and put it on the tailshaft with the "single rail" shifting mechanism. I guess if you had access to a parts book, you could compare some of the main components and see if they are the same part number.