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If you have seen my past posts you will know I rebuilt my FE 352 and hopped it up a little bit. While doing this I never cared to open the trans and take a look at the little 3.03 and see what it’s condition is. I regret that.
Trans won’t go into any gears easy, synchros are noisy when it does go into gear. So it’s time for a rebuild, or possibly replace.
this is a truck for cruising and having fun in once every couple months, not a hauler, just a cruiser. The 3 on the column is fun but I am always looking to make it more interesting.
One option I’m considering is a C6, but with a manual valve body, I have a set of auto petals to use. Now if I go this way does anyone know if the three speed column linkage will reach the shift lever on the c6? Will it clear the floor pan? What about the rear end ratio and speedo gear?
option 2: top loader 4 speed, will find a rebuilt one.
Option 3: whatever other trans is suggested for a truck as such not looking to put in a granny gear trans like the 435, but not opposed to one like a nv4500 with an overdrive.
1966 F100
352 FE with a little punch
currently 3 on the column
budget $2000 tops
I put in a rebuilt wide ratio top loader and couldn’t be happier. Plugs right in in place of the 3.03. You will need a resized drive shaft and floor shifter.
I did my NV4500 conversion in 2012. It got bolted up to an "improved" roller 390, now with FiTec TB EFI. NV 4500 bits about to get a ride to their new F100 home.
Bought most of the pieces in kit form from Advanced Adapters including the rebuilt ¾ ton Dodge transmission with old style cable speedometer tailshaft. Hopefully have a picture to show you what all was in the kit. Not sure if Advanced Adapters still offers the kit. Total parts cost @ $2700 in 2012 money, not including labor. Love the sweet shifting transmission. First gear is a granny, but you don't have to use it. Fifth gear overdrive knocks the revs right down for quiet, relaxed cruising (3.50 gears). You will need a driveshaft shortened and mine is a two piece and the short one got the surgery. Did have some irritation in having to cut up my newly installed exhaust system as the "H pipe" and trans both wanted the same piece of real estate. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Hopefully will attach three more pix showing parts of the NV4500 installation. One shows having to modify the exhaust system. One shows the shortened and rebalanced driveshafts. And one shows having to modify the floor to accomodate the shifter. I was lucky that the shifter does not interfere with the seat.
That is a nice tranny option you chose there Supersabre, interesting!!!
Did you have additional photo's coming?
Any add'l photo's and info would be appreciated, and I will research to see if this 'kit' is still available.
Stupid question, maybe, but, how does the NV4500 compare to the ZF used in the OBS Ford trucks behind 351W, 460 & Diesels?
Thank you
If you have seen my past posts you will know I rebuilt my FE 352 and hopped it up a little bit. While doing this I never cared to open the trans and take a look at the little 3.03 and see what it’s condition is. I regret that.
Trans won’t go into any gears easy, synchros are noisy when it does go into gear. So it’s time for a rebuild, or possibly replace.
this is a truck for cruising and having fun in once every couple months, not a hauler, just a cruiser. The 3 on the column is fun but I am always looking to make it more interesting.
One option I’m considering is a C6, but with a manual valve body, I have a set of auto petals to use. Now if I go this way does anyone know if the three speed column linkage will reach the shift lever on the c6? Will it clear the floor pan? What about the rear end ratio and speedo gear?
option 2: top loader 4 speed, will find a rebuilt one.
Option 3: whatever other trans is suggested for a truck as such not looking to put in a granny gear trans like the 435, but not opposed to one like a nv4500 with an overdrive.
1966 F100
352 FE with a little punch
currently 3 on the column
budget $2000 tops
Considering your budget. Repairing the 3:03 you have and adding a nice Hurst floor shift is the cheapest and quickest.
A 4 speed toploader rebuilt and ready to go plus a shifter and a driveshaft will be very close to your budget if not a little more.
A C6 could probably be done for less than the budget but it will be a lot of work. And no your current column shift won't work with it. And it won't go in from the bottom you will have to pull the engine to put one in. You will have to change steering columns or get a floor shifter. Plus wire up a neutral safety switch. And a driveshaft.
Don't know about the NV4500 maybe you could do it for 2000 but I doubt it. And since you don't have a removable transmission cover you will have to cut the floor out and find a cover.
I built up a small block C6 last Oct. for a rat rod project. All the parts except the converter was $765. But this was a put your slurpy in the backseat every time it shifts transmission. Not recommended for comfortable cruising.
I don't want to hijack 1966F100SC's thread, so I will try to answer Unilover6163's questions on another thread which I will call 2010 Version: NV4500 Install into '66 F100. Good luck with your project 1966F100SC.
Came across a toploader I should be picking up if all goes well. It’s a RUG E3 wide ratio from a 69 mustang. Has the 28spline output, with the small block input shaft.
with the input being for the small block I can use my truck bell housing without issue, I’ll get a new driveshaft made, and order a speedo cable since I will need a longer one at this point. I may have to drill new holes for the trans crossmember but that’s not an issue.
now the only thing I left out is the shifter. I’ve read that it may set back too far. Being that it’s from a mustang. Any advice on what to do for this??
I this year put in a Mustang Top Loader. A key was to make sure it had the short tail piece. Mustang not Galaxy.
This put my shifter location about 2 inches back from where the 3.03 shifter was on my 3 speed. Both using Hurst shift mechanisms.
The 3.03 mounted to the front of the trans and the Top Loader mounts to the rear of the trans.
I had to get a little creative and modify the shifter to clear the bench seat. It works except when the seat is all the way forward. I'm working on a different shape shift lever
to clear the seat completely but haven't got that done yet. I drive with the seat all the way back and only have to move the seat forward when the wife drives.
My 352 loves the extra "gearage" and really improved the feel of the truck.
* Note the speedo gear helical is reversed from the direction used on the 3.03.
It is a :HEH P – Out of a 1964 Ford Mustang V8 wide ratio
28 spline output shaft
1 1/16 input shaft
Last edited by SwampRattFord; May 3, 2022 at 12:24 PM.
Reason: Added speedo gear note
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