Tranny/axle options
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From: Casa Grande
Tranny/axle options
Hi everyone. I'm new here but been working one cars longer than I care to remember. Anyway I have a 85 F150 I just got as a parts runner. It has the 300/6 with 3+OD trans. It also has, if I read it right, 2.47 rear gears. Needless to say it's not the fastest thing off the line. My question is, what are my tranny options for a lower first gear? Really don't want a granny gear but something in the way of 4.0 or so. Would also like OD. I know I could do rear gears but would also like to know other options.
Thanks
Keith
Thanks
Keith
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
2.47's don't belong in a pickup, if you ask me.
Manual transmissions you have available to you are the t-18, NP435, 4sp OD, 3sp column shifted, the ZF, and the M5OD.
Only the ZF and the M5OD have overdrive. Both are expensive, and the M5OD is weak. It also doesn't have a granny gear, and I'm not sure what the ratios are. The ZF is strong, but has a granny gear.
Both the T-18 and the NP435 have granny gears, and both are tough as nails. The 3sp column is a lot of work to swap, and the 4sp you already have.
Honestly, I would swap gears to 3.55 or better. With the OD tranny you already have, you'd be able to get the lower gearing you want, and save what little fuel mileage you're getting with the OD.
Manual transmissions you have available to you are the t-18, NP435, 4sp OD, 3sp column shifted, the ZF, and the M5OD.
Only the ZF and the M5OD have overdrive. Both are expensive, and the M5OD is weak. It also doesn't have a granny gear, and I'm not sure what the ratios are. The ZF is strong, but has a granny gear.
Both the T-18 and the NP435 have granny gears, and both are tough as nails. The 3sp column is a lot of work to swap, and the 4sp you already have.
Honestly, I would swap gears to 3.55 or better. With the OD tranny you already have, you'd be able to get the lower gearing you want, and save what little fuel mileage you're getting with the OD.
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From: Casa Grande
Thanks for the replies... Your right, 2.47's don't belong in a pickup. I couldn't believe it when I checked the tag. I think that swapping the rear gears is the way I'll end up going. Was just hoping there was something like the close ratio t19 with overdrive available.
Thanks
Keith
Thanks
Keith
Last edited by kedwinh; Jun 8, 2004 at 07:33 PM.
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I agree with everythin else, swap the rear gears with at least a 3.55. They'll give you some low end, but also retain some of the fuel mileage that you get with the 2.47. Those gears belong in some gas savin' Honda or something if you ask me 
...
Nightrain
...Nightrain
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From: Casa Grande
OK, now that we have that figured out. What should I look for as a rear end donor? Will a full size bronco work?
Thanks
Keith
Thanks
Keith
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FYI...my 83 300 with 3.08 and 4 sp OD turns only 1600 rpm at 60 mph.
There's no granny gear, so first gear has me going faster than I would like sometimes. I'm on a ranch, and it's useful to creep along slowly sometimes. But if youre in the city, my setup would fit you fine.
When your cruisin down the freeway that motors barely turnin', but you need to roll your window up cause the roar from passing pickups runnin 3200 rpm is deafening!
There's no granny gear, so first gear has me going faster than I would like sometimes. I'm on a ranch, and it's useful to creep along slowly sometimes. But if youre in the city, my setup would fit you fine.
When your cruisin down the freeway that motors barely turnin', but you need to roll your window up cause the roar from passing pickups runnin 3200 rpm is deafening!
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