4L60E
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: new zealand but a brit
4L60E
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mode...ord-fe-engine/ anybody done this conversion to their 352 F truck
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
I like it! The price wasn't unreasonable; I knew it wasn't going to be cheap. I'm glad the aftermarket continues to support the FE engine.
I've noticed that a lot of people put a lot of effort into a restoration and then get tired of it pretty quick and put it up for sale. You can't get your money back on these trucks so you have to buy/build it for your own enjoyment. There are a few things that IMO are necessary to make it fun and practical to drive regularly: PS, PB, A/C (depending on where you live), an OD trans and for me a good radio. I know there are a few hardcore folks who are content with everything original, spartan and old school, but they're the exception not the rule.
I've noticed that a lot of people put a lot of effort into a restoration and then get tired of it pretty quick and put it up for sale. You can't get your money back on these trucks so you have to buy/build it for your own enjoyment. There are a few things that IMO are necessary to make it fun and practical to drive regularly: PS, PB, A/C (depending on where you live), an OD trans and for me a good radio. I know there are a few hardcore folks who are content with everything original, spartan and old school, but they're the exception not the rule.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 236
From: Southern California
I like it! The price wasn't unreasonable; I knew it wasn't going to be cheap. I'm glad the aftermarket continues to support the FE engine.
I've noticed that a lot of people put a lot of effort into a restoration and then get tired of it pretty quick and put it up for sale. You can't get your money back on these trucks so you have to buy/build it for your own enjoyment. There are a few things that IMO are necessary to make it fun and practical to drive regularly: PS, PB, A/C (depending on where you live), an OD trans and for me a good radio. I know there are a few hardcore folks who are content with everything original, spartan and old school, but they're the exception not the rule.
I've noticed that a lot of people put a lot of effort into a restoration and then get tired of it pretty quick and put it up for sale. You can't get your money back on these trucks so you have to buy/build it for your own enjoyment. There are a few things that IMO are necessary to make it fun and practical to drive regularly: PS, PB, A/C (depending on where you live), an OD trans and for me a good radio. I know there are a few hardcore folks who are content with everything original, spartan and old school, but they're the exception not the rule.
My 63, that I hope to drive before I die will have power steering, independent four wheel suspension, power disc brakes, a five speed overdrive trans, and probably no AC. I better go work on it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
Well don't drive down I-17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix because the stock brakes will likely put you in a ditch on the side of a mountain!
I guess you never have to park in a parking lot then? Kind of limits where/how you use it doesn't it?
Now that sounds like something you can have fun with!
I guess you never have to park in a parking lot then? Kind of limits where/how you use it doesn't it?
Now that sounds like something you can have fun with!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 236
From: Southern California
66V8baby, The 4-wheel drum brakes with a single pot master cylinder, when equipped with proper linings and adjusted correctly will stop the heck out of my truck. I have been in several situations where I needed to stop post-haste, driving on southern California freeways with a hotrodded 352.
They don't call it "Armstrong steering" for nothin, I have no problem parking or making a u-turn with one hand on the wheel and the other on my dates knee. Well until I have to shift.
I like driving my truck, every day, the way it was built. It's very original and I don't see a reason to change it. The 63 Uni, on the other hand, has been changed and modified and beat to hell, I don't mind doing whatever to that truck.
They don't call it "Armstrong steering" for nothin, I have no problem parking or making a u-turn with one hand on the wheel and the other on my dates knee. Well until I have to shift.
I like driving my truck, every day, the way it was built. It's very original and I don't see a reason to change it. The 63 Uni, on the other hand, has been changed and modified and beat to hell, I don't mind doing whatever to that truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
I too have 4 drums on my '66, but after a near miss pulling into a grocery store parking lot when a woman came flying by out of nowhere, I decided they needed a little help. I used the '68 up 3" drums with ceramic matrix shoes and a power booster. It stops as good as discs now but still has an original look. I understand wanting to keep it original when it's clean and mostly original when you bought it. Glad you're able to enjoy it as is.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
There’s a reason why light trucks no longer come from the factory with drum brakes. Drive through a foot of water and you will have limited braking coming out the other side.
Braking from 70+ mph is greatly reduced as distance is increased, drum brake fade is real.
I too had drum brakes on my truck. For 34 years. I recently converted to disc in the front with wider 1969 drums and axles in the rear.
The difference is night and day.
Braking from 70+ mph is greatly reduced as distance is increased, drum brake fade is real.
I too had drum brakes on my truck. For 34 years. I recently converted to disc in the front with wider 1969 drums and axles in the rear.
The difference is night and day.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
Back to the original topic; after further consideration, the Gear Vendors overdrive would be much cheaper and much easier to install. I have a 390 with a freshly rebuilt C6 in my '76 F150. I would consider the GV overdrive if I was planning to keep it for 10 years. I have too many projects though so it's not worth pouring money into it since I would never get it back.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Seriously considering, starting my first restoration project on a 66 F100 LWB where it has the T18 transmission mated to a 390 (possibly 428 - haven't measured stroke yet to determine). I know the T18 is pretty resilient and I love a manual but that setup with a 4L60E would be pretty sweet. Main goal of purchasing the truck was to have the wifey sitting next to me on long drives with no known destination
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 236
From: Southern California
Seriously considering, starting my first restoration project on a 66 F100 LWB where it has the T18 transmission mated to a 390 (possibly 428 - haven't measured stroke yet to determine). I know the T18 is pretty resilient and I love a manual but that setup with a 4L60E would be pretty sweet. Main goal of purchasing the truck was to have the wifey sitting next to me on long drives with no known destination
One thing I haven't changed is brakes. Well I did upgrade to a two pot master cylinder and replaced all the hydraulics. But still four drums, no boost. I've also put 50.000 miles on it since then.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 236
From: Southern California
The TKX turned my truck into a modern driving vehicle, with a useable first gear, and overdrive that puts me at 2200 RPM @80 MPH. With syncro's in ALL forward gears, I can downshift to first at ten MPH or so if necessary. It's a really nice trans that we swap into all sorts of old iron at the shop I'm working at, so kits are available. Btw, I did the swap before I got this current job, and had the owner drive my "Resume," I'm pretty sure it helped him make the decision to hire me.
One more thing, when you order your trans they will likely push you towards a hydraulic clutch system. I stayed with the original manual linkage, less things to go wrong. After almost three years I do not regret that decision.
My 65
Installation pics
Installation pics. I wrote up a pretty good step by step installation post, search my name and you will find it.