I inherited my Uncles 1986 F-150, 300 INLINE 6,3 SPEED in the floor, SWB 80,000 original miles ...Im wanting to clean it up , do some maintenance on it and pass it on to my 15 year old when he turns 16 in April ..I'm worried about him learning to drive the three speed ..If I was to convert it over to an AOD transmission would that be possible ?... Thanks in advance

 

You certainly can put a aod in it. The only sticky point will be the throttle linkage from the carb to the trans.

 

Why not teach him how to drive stick?
Once he learns he can then drive any thing stick.

I had to take my license test on a stick, 68 Dodge panel van with camper top so you could stand up inside. It had a 3 on the tree.
All I had to do was drive around the block and park it and got my license.

I now drive trailer trucks and was talking to a fellow worker and he said he could not drive stick and why his truck is an auto.
Dave - - - -

 

I second that.


Teach him to drive a stick, once he learns that he's half way to being able to drive anything on the planet.


Not only that it will slow him down and not allow him to be as stupid behind the wheel like an auto will or like most all teenagers can be.

 

Ok, teach him to drive a stick and then after that, put the AOD in it. With the overdrive you will get better mileage and be able to cruise much better on the interstate during long trips(like college?). I think the AOD would be a nice upgrade myself.

 

Very first vehicle I ever drove was a '66 GMC truck with a three on the tree, when I could depress the clutch pedal to disengage the transmission, I was 12. Your son with thank you later for teaching him a skill that is disappearing to the majority of drivers.

 

One hand on the wheel, the other on the shifter = no hands on the damn phone....

 

Eaxctly.

 

you ...are very lucky to have that rig. leave it be. ....and let the kid have ur car .
that ol 3 speed is way too much fun to drive to waste that on a kid!!!!

 

@sdiesel wish I could drive it and give him my rig ,but unfortunately I drive an 2001 Excursion V10 , & the 86 Doesn’t have AC & I’m an outside Salesman & live in Oklahoma where it’s over 100 degrees 30 days Plus , can’t have the customers see you sweat !

 

No AC in the truck.....easy replace the firewall and factory AC will bolt right in LOL
Yes I have been there and wear the shirt!

You could do an aftermarket AC unit in the truck.
I am going to guess your son will want AC too.
Dave - - - -

 

Where could I buy an aftermarket complete AC Kit for an 86 F-150

 

Vintage Air I believe has a full kit for it.

If you're worried about the column shift, you can swap it to an M5OD and gain a better gear spread and overdrive. However, the column shifts are very cool, and were uncommon to start with on this generation. My son drove my truck while he had his permit (4 speed granny) and really enjoys it now

 

Just be aware, if anything breaks on the 3 speed column shift, parts are very hard to come by. We have had several guys on here with 3 speed column shift trucks with worn out or broken parts, and I don't think they ever were able to fix them.

 

Several generations of us learned to drive on stickshifts. 3 and 4 speeds. Your kid is made out of the same stuff as we were. The younger you can start them the better. My dad started me steering when I was 3 and I could drive a stick in first grade and I started my nephew when he was 3, setting on my lap and steering. He also could drive my 59 Belair with a 3 on the tree by the time he was in first grade.