Tranny swap?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Montclair VA
Tranny swap?
I've got a 1990 F350 351cc 2 wheel drive 3 speed auto. I don't really like the transmission it has, mechanically its fine. However I just don't like how long it stays in the gears because it has a 3 speed. I wish 1st was shorter and I want the gears to be closer so that you're not revving the crap out of it just to get into the next gear and have no power.
I'm wondering what my options are. Just adding an overdrive would probably be enough to make me happy, so I'm wondering what other tranny's are compatable and if swapping a tranny requires other stuff like a new computer and shifter?
Thanks,
-Steve
I'm wondering what my options are. Just adding an overdrive would probably be enough to make me happy, so I'm wondering what other tranny's are compatable and if swapping a tranny requires other stuff like a new computer and shifter?
Thanks,
-Steve
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,071
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From: Concord, New Hampshire
Why change it? you have the toughest automatic 3spd tranny ford put in the trucks, if its the c-6 which it probly is, you could go over to an electronic four speed, but if your doing alot of towing i would highly reccomend the ZF-5spd, i have a truck at work that is an 89 f-350 7.3l dualie, and it tows like a mother, and the 5 spd is nice, but im not a big fan of some of the early overdrive trannys ive heard alot of bad stuff about them, all i know is i have an 87 f-150 with the carborated 351w and c-6 tranny, with 3.55 gears and i could move a house if i really needed to, and its not all that bad on the highway, plus i never have to worry about killing it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Montclair VA
Well, the heaviest thing I'll ever tow is 3 or 4 motorcycles. I agree with you, on the highway its not that bad, infact thats where I think it feels the smoothest.
Also keep in mind that while I'm not new to working on cars, I am new to trucks. I don't know the model name of my tranny, and if you say that its the strongest one for towing I believe you. I would have just thought that with more/closer gears the engine would drive better since it wouldn't be going through most of its rpm range on every shift.
Good info though, thanks.
Also keep in mind that while I'm not new to working on cars, I am new to trucks. I don't know the model name of my tranny, and if you say that its the strongest one for towing I believe you. I would have just thought that with more/closer gears the engine would drive better since it wouldn't be going through most of its rpm range on every shift.
Good info though, thanks.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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3 spd auto vs. elec. overdrive
I'v got an '86 2wd f150 (Free Truck 
), can't make the 300 with EEC-IV feedback controled carburetor run. Being given EFI 302HO out of '85 LTD xl (Free Motor ) I'm wondering if I should try to cajole the LTD's 4-spd auto into the deal as well. Sounds like maybe not... This is not going to be a hotrod truck, but will be expected to go on long roadtrips w/out my having to sell plasma for gas. Thanks for your comments,
Tim.
), can't make the 300 with EEC-IV feedback controled carburetor run. Being given EFI 302HO out of '85 LTD xl (Free Motor ) I'm wondering if I should try to cajole the LTD's 4-spd auto into the deal as well. Sounds like maybe not... This is not going to be a hotrod truck, but will be expected to go on long roadtrips w/out my having to sell plasma for gas. Thanks for your comments, Tim.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
Dayuiz, your truck should have the C6. It's a good trans, just lacks an overdrive gear, but with your 3.55 axle ratio you shouldnt need an overdrive gear in it, that ratio is pretty high by itself.
The overdrive auto trans that could be swapped in without electronic hassle would be the AOD. First, second and third gear are about the same as the C6 and it has a 0.67 overdrive 4th gear.
There is a low gear kit that can be put in your C6. Third gear remains the same, just first and second are a little lower for better pulling power in the lower gears. Ford Racing sells it through Summit for about $350.
The manual trans swap would be more complicated, but the ZF is a cool tranny with its granny first and overdrive 5th.
The overdrive auto trans that could be swapped in without electronic hassle would be the AOD. First, second and third gear are about the same as the C6 and it has a 0.67 overdrive 4th gear.
There is a low gear kit that can be put in your C6. Third gear remains the same, just first and second are a little lower for better pulling power in the lower gears. Ford Racing sells it through Summit for about $350.
The manual trans swap would be more complicated, but the ZF is a cool tranny with its granny first and overdrive 5th.
