Transmission options
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: New Brunswick, Canada
Transmission options
hey forum friends
almost time to take the old girl out of storage. I have been throwing around the idea of switching transmissions. The truck currently has the 4 speed imposter hooked to the 302 with the old z bar clutch. The P.O. installed this trans and I think it was out of a Granada. Probably need to replace the clutch this year and figure out the linkage but I was thinking maybe a trans upgrade was in order at the same time. I don’t want to break the bank but thought I would put it out there to the community for recommendations. Thoughts on an appropriate auto? Top Loader? What have you guys done? What should I avoid?
Thanks
almost time to take the old girl out of storage. I have been throwing around the idea of switching transmissions. The truck currently has the 4 speed imposter hooked to the 302 with the old z bar clutch. The P.O. installed this trans and I think it was out of a Granada. Probably need to replace the clutch this year and figure out the linkage but I was thinking maybe a trans upgrade was in order at the same time. I don’t want to break the bank but thought I would put it out there to the community for recommendations. Thoughts on an appropriate auto? Top Loader? What have you guys done? What should I avoid?
Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
hey forum friends
almost time to take the old girl out of storage. I have been throwing around the idea of switching transmissions. The truck currently has the 4 speed imposter hooked to the 302 with the old z bar clutch. The P.O. installed this trans and I think it was out of a Granada.
Probably need to replace the clutch this year and figure out the linkage but I was thinking maybe a trans upgrade was in order at the same time. I don’t want to break the bank but thought I would put it out there to the community for recommendations. Thoughts on an appropriate auto? Top Loader? What have you guys done? What should I avoid?
almost time to take the old girl out of storage. I have been throwing around the idea of switching transmissions. The truck currently has the 4 speed imposter hooked to the 302 with the old z bar clutch. The P.O. installed this trans and I think it was out of a Granada.
Probably need to replace the clutch this year and figure out the linkage but I was thinking maybe a trans upgrade was in order at the same time. I don’t want to break the bank but thought I would put it out there to the community for recommendations. Thoughts on an appropriate auto? Top Loader? What have you guys done? What should I avoid?
Also optional in cars like 1977/80 Granada, 1978 Mustang II, 1979/83 Mustang/Capri.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: New Brunswick, Canada
Almost positive. The linkage is cobbled together and the shifter location in the floor is not in the original position. Likely to accommodate the tail housing on this trans. P.O. told me it has a three speed with bull low when he got it and he swapped in this trans. Told me it was a 4 sod top loader from a mustang but it is definitely the 3 spd with OD “top loader imposter”.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: New Brunswick, Canada
hey ND...any chance you have a diagram with part numbers for the linkage on the 3spd with OD?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Is the shift lever/linkage mounted on the left side of the trans, or does the shift lever fit directly into an extension behind the trans case?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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A 4 speed with overdrive is pretty nice in these trucks if you like manual. I do not know that particular transmission however. Does it have issues?
If the transmission is fundamentally OK I would consider cleaning up the linkage, puting a clutch in and run it.
If the transmission is fundamentally OK I would consider cleaning up the linkage, puting a clutch in and run it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: New Brunswick, Canada
the linkage is external on the left side of the trans.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
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I thought all the overdrive 4 speeds had the internal linkage, hence the Single Rail designation, but I don't really know. Are there any numbers cast into the sides of the gearbox?
I remember reading an article in Hot Rod many years ago where they took the SROD guts and put them in an early Mustang's 4 speed case so the owner could have overdrive, and they took those early direct-drive guts and put them into the SROD case in an '82 Mustang GT, to achieve more strength and better acceleration! Machining was required as I remember...
I think the SRODs are weaker due to extensive use of aluminum parts like the case itself if I'm not mistaken.
I remember reading an article in Hot Rod many years ago where they took the SROD guts and put them in an early Mustang's 4 speed case so the owner could have overdrive, and they took those early direct-drive guts and put them into the SROD case in an '82 Mustang GT, to achieve more strength and better acceleration! Machining was required as I remember...
I think the SRODs are weaker due to extensive use of aluminum parts like the case itself if I'm not mistaken.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Black Hills of SD
There were actually 3 completely different 4 speeds with 4 overdrive (3+OD) I think the one he has is the old cast iron case with external shifter that is very similar to the old car top loader. Then there was the single rail over drive (SROD) and the least common is the top shift aluminum case one.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Upper pic from F100/150, lower pic from Econoline.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Black Hills of SD
I think what you have there is the SMOD, not the SROD. It's hard to find all the info and images in one place. I couldn't even find a picture of an SROD but here is some helpful info .
Ford Truck Manual Transmissions
Ford Truck Manual Transmissions
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I think what you have there is the SMOD, not the SROD. It's hard to find all the info and images in one place. I couldn't even find a picture of an SROD but here is some helpful info .
Ford Truck Manual Transmissions
Ford Truck Manual Transmissions
The applications for the O/D transmissions in this chart are wrong.
RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive: 1977/83 misc. Passenger Cars 200/250/302 // 1978/83 F100/150 2WD 300/302 & 1978/87 E100/250 300/302/351W
RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 Speed Overdrive: 1984/87 F150 2WD/4WD & Bronco 300/302.
SR-OD has external trans linkage (see pic in post 10) in 1978/79 F100/150 & 1978/87 Econoline.
1980/83 F100/150 SR-OD & 1984/87 F150 2WD/4WD & Bronco TS-OD: There's no linkage, as the shift lever fits into an extension behind the trans case.
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