Manual Transmission Recommendations?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 144
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Manual Transmission Recommendations?
Looking for some input on manual transmission recommendations. My 66 F100 currently has a 3 speed top loader from a 79 married to the 300 thanks to the PO. The clutch throw out bearing has been making some strange noise when the clutch is not engaged and last night the clutch actuation range lost about an inch. The rear end was also converted to a 79 9" with a 3.00 ratio. The driveshaft shortening was not done very well and leaks from the rear seal of the trans even with a new seal.
All of that to say I like the 300 and the 3.00 rear gear, but I hate the clutch mechanics, the driveshaft needs to be reworked, and the 3 speed leaves quite a hole in the power band going from 2nd to 3rd, yet cruises nicely at 70. So, I'm considering a 4 speed with a cable or hydraulic clutch. Would a NP435 fit the bill here or should I be looking for something else?
All of that to say I like the 300 and the 3.00 rear gear, but I hate the clutch mechanics, the driveshaft needs to be reworked, and the 3 speed leaves quite a hole in the power band going from 2nd to 3rd, yet cruises nicely at 70. So, I'm considering a 4 speed with a cable or hydraulic clutch. Would a NP435 fit the bill here or should I be looking for something else?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Likes: 58
From: West Plains, MO
NP435 is basically a 3-speed with a granny low (6.68 ratio). Then something like 3.34, 1.67, 1:1.
So it has 2:1 steps between each of the first three gears.
I'd recommend something else for your application.
So it has 2:1 steps between each of the first three gears.
I'd recommend something else for your application.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 340
Likes: 21
From: Weaverville NC
Hi harley7991,
I drive/maintain a '65 F100. It has the super strong 240. I used a 3 speed on the column for 10 yrs. A friend offered me a T-18 4 speed (been using that for almost 20 yr). I like it way better than the 3 spd. I have a 3.70 rear end. Running 16" radial Michelin tubes/tires. The T-18 has the "granny" low. Use 2nd to start off. Unless there is a steep incline at a stoplight/sign. I change the transm. oil every 50,000 mi. At that point...the oil is still slightly dark green. I change the rear end oil the same interval. No combustion heat/gases...still plenty of heat from all the friction the oil is subjected to.
All the best, Pete
I drive/maintain a '65 F100. It has the super strong 240. I used a 3 speed on the column for 10 yrs. A friend offered me a T-18 4 speed (been using that for almost 20 yr). I like it way better than the 3 spd. I have a 3.70 rear end. Running 16" radial Michelin tubes/tires. The T-18 has the "granny" low. Use 2nd to start off. Unless there is a steep incline at a stoplight/sign. I change the transm. oil every 50,000 mi. At that point...the oil is still slightly dark green. I change the rear end oil the same interval. No combustion heat/gases...still plenty of heat from all the friction the oil is subjected to.
All the best, Pete
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
I put a T-19 in place of the worn-out 3-speed in my '66. The version I used is usually found behind '80's diesel Ford F250's. It has ratios of 4.02, 2.41, 1.41, and direct, and has a synchronized first gear. Low gear is usable, and the gear-spacing is far superior to that in the granny-low 4-speeds like the NP435.
It was a bolt-in at the front end but needed a different driveshaft. The transmission mount works; I think I either moved it or swapped it end-for-end, I don't remember. The trans cover fits; the floor must be cut of course.
I would have preferred a 5-speed with O/D but cost and complexity ruled that out.
Eric.
It was a bolt-in at the front end but needed a different driveshaft. The transmission mount works; I think I either moved it or swapped it end-for-end, I don't remember. The trans cover fits; the floor must be cut of course.
I would have preferred a 5-speed with O/D but cost and complexity ruled that out.
Eric.
Last edited by 6t6merc; May 2, 2021 at 04:39 PM. Reason: grammar
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
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Thanks for the replies. T19 might be what I'm looking for. What type of clutch linkage does it use?
Any ideas on the gear ratios for a RAT-DL 3 speed?
Can a cable clutch be put on the top loader?
Any ideas on the gear ratios for a RAT-DL 3 speed?
Can a cable clutch be put on the top loader?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
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Looks like straight six 3 speed top loader gear ratios are 2.99, 1.75, 1.00. Or 2.42, 1.61, 1.00 on FE engines.
NP435 ratios are indeed crazy low 6.68, 3.34, 1.74, 1.00
T18 ratios are 6.32, 3.09, 1.69, 1.00
T19 ratios are 4.02, 2.41, 1.41, 1.00
For swapping to a T19 (which is fully synchronized) from a large V8 or Diesel, how does the bell housing work? I thought the Ford straight 6 had the "small block" V8 pattern. Do you just reuse the old bell housing?
NP435 ratios are indeed crazy low 6.68, 3.34, 1.74, 1.00
T18 ratios are 6.32, 3.09, 1.69, 1.00
T19 ratios are 4.02, 2.41, 1.41, 1.00
For swapping to a T19 (which is fully synchronized) from a large V8 or Diesel, how does the bell housing work? I thought the Ford straight 6 had the "small block" V8 pattern. Do you just reuse the old bell housing?
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Mountain Pass
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 541
Likes: 37
From: Tulsa, OK
I have a zf s5-42 behind my 300. It's a 5 speed with the granny low. I don't know what the ratios are, but there are no dead spots in the power band you mention above. It uses a hydraulic clutch with the concentric slave cylinder, which isn't bad unless you need to change it. The trans, master, and slave cylinder are all from the mid 90's.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 12
From: Warsaw
Looking for some input on manual transmission recommendations. My 66 F100 currently has a 3 speed top loader from a 79 married to the 300 thanks to the PO. The clutch throw out bearing has been making some strange noise when the clutch is not engaged and last night the clutch actuation range lost about an inch. The rear end was also converted to a 79 9" with a 3.00 ratio. The driveshaft shortening was not done very well and leaks from the rear seal of the trans even with a new seal.
All of that to say I like the 300 and the 3.00 rear gear, but I hate the clutch mechanics, the driveshaft needs to be reworked, and the 3 speed leaves quite a hole in the power band going from 2nd to 3rd, yet cruises nicely at 70. So, I'm considering a 4 speed with a cable or hydraulic clutch. Would a NP435 fit the bill here or should I be looking for something else?
All of that to say I like the 300 and the 3.00 rear gear, but I hate the clutch mechanics, the driveshaft needs to be reworked, and the 3 speed leaves quite a hole in the power band going from 2nd to 3rd, yet cruises nicely at 70. So, I'm considering a 4 speed with a cable or hydraulic clutch. Would a NP435 fit the bill here or should I be looking for something else?
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 26
I used to have the same 300 i6 3spd setup except I had 3.70s out back. I went to a efi 351w and the zf 5spd and I love it. If you can find one I would definitely recommend it, makes the truck more drivable and still has a good low granny gear. I start in 2nd most of the time.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 162
Likes: 21
There are two basic types of 5 speed manuals in the later trucks, the ZF's and the M5OD. IIRC the last 2 numbers of a ZF x 10 = torque rating... A ZF42 is rated for 420 ft/lbs and are fairly heavy duty units, with the various types of ZF's used from F-150 to F-350's. I wanna say the M5OD is a Mazda sourced transmission that was only used in F-150's and Broncos, and is a light duty transmission which is fine for daily driving, but not suitable for lots of towing or heavy hauling. I know the ZF has an integrated bellhousing, and they were used behind 300's, Windsor small blocks, and 460's. (us FE guys are out of luck) That's why I'm currently looking for a Mopar NV4500 for my conversion.
Things to think about when doing a transmission swap... Do I change the 2 piece driveshaft over to a 1 piece (longbeds)? What am I looking at for buying/creating a transmission crossmember? Where is the shifter going to be coming in to the cab? Does the speedometer drive use an old fashioned cable, or does the new transmission use some kind of electric transducer signal?
Things to think about when doing a transmission swap... Do I change the 2 piece driveshaft over to a 1 piece (longbeds)? What am I looking at for buying/creating a transmission crossmember? Where is the shifter going to be coming in to the cab? Does the speedometer drive use an old fashioned cable, or does the new transmission use some kind of electric transducer signal?
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 738
Likes: 159
From: Orange County
I'm following this thread - Interested in getting an additional gear as well. Currently have a T-18 behind a 460, with a Dana 24 t-case. I've scoured all the threads about O/D units and ZF transmissions, and have a basic question of what are the major decision factors between adding the O/D or swapping to a 5-speed? Thanks for any input