I have a 72 f250. Looking to make it a capable street truck. planning on lowering it, then getting headers and exhaust but im not sure what to do with the granny first. i would like to have a full range in first through fourth. would that be a new tranny or can i re-gear it? also hoping to get Fuel Injection for her. i am currently running it as a daily driver and would like to keep it that way. truck has 136k original miles. I'm basically brand new to this old truck stuff but am very capable with a wrench. What are some good, relatively cheap things i can do for this truck to wake her up engine wise and help her live a long life


thanks, joe

 

250 wouldn't be the first choice, but you have to go with what you have. For a transmission I would say go C6 auto. What engine do you have? 390 or 360?

 

If you have a granny gear then you have a NP435 or something similar? Any change will cost some bucks so I'll tell you what I did and I really like it. I kept my NP435 and added a gear vendor overdrive. Overdrives makes it much nicer on interstates and state highways. With a 4.10 rear I only use granny in the pasture field or when starting a heavy trailer from a dead stop.

If faster and smoother shifting is part of the goal then consider a TKO 600...I've never driven one but they seem to have a good reputation. I did not go with one because I prefer the ratios I get with an NP435 and gear vendor for towing and hauling.

For pepping up the motor...headers, Edelbrock Performer rpm intake, and four barrel carb. Beyond that and if you're rebuilding...custom hydraulic roller cam, forged pistons with modern ring pack, BBM or trick flow heads, and a stroker kit. Definitely not cheap...you have yourself an expensive hobby...

If sticking with the manual tranny, consider the brake and clutch pedal bearing kit from Mustang Steve to replace the pot metal bushings.

In the end, a classic F250 still rides like an F250...stiff... but with the above changes it will get up and go and IMO, be lot nicer to drive.