C6 trans
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C6 trans
I just bought an 89 F150 Xcab 4wd & 351 V8. 85,000 original miles! I just noticed driving it home on the highway that it has a 3 speed trans! I didn't know these were still offered on 1989 models. It turns about 2750 RPM at 60 and 3000 RPM at 75. Anyone else have this trans. I have a rebuild reciept the owner gave me and it says C6. I never even thought of it not having O/D. I assume these are pretty dismal on gas when on the highway, but the C6 is known fo reliability right?
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If you use it for a truck you will not miss overdrive. If this is your everyday vehicle and you drive with the traffic on the interstate the gas may get expensive.
My old '79 had the c6 and I drove it all over the country loaded down, never had a problem.
My old '79 had the c6 and I drove it all over the country loaded down, never had a problem.
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Dad had a 1977 F150, with a 302 and a C6, it got 22mpg (so he says).. The right gears in the rear end will help. I would go to a 3.08 or 2.73 if you're gonna use it for daily driving. You will need to change both the front and rear gearsets as running to different ratios will cause t-case failure.
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I do not plan on regearing. Maybe go to a 31" tire (has 235's). That will help cut the RPM down. I was just very surprised to find this was even available on a 1989 F150! Is there an aftermarket O/D unit available for the C6? I do about 1/2 my driving on the highway (and do tow an 18' car trailer and might consider an O/D if they are availabale and reliable.
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Thanks. I didn't think of a swap. Yes it is FI, what O/D trans will work? I know Ford used a couple, AOD - EAOD?. Are they as relaible as the C6? Would you swap if you had the option? My only gripe is no O/D, but I can live with it if reliability is compromised. Towing is a little more important than highway mileage right now.
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Wagster: The high dollar, but not much higher than a tranny swap, way to keep your strong C6 and get OD:
http://www.gearvendors.com/
The tranny swap is probably cheaper, not sure how strong those od trannys are compared to the C6. Opinions seem to differ.
Changing tires or diff gears moves the problem from the top end to the starting line....dog city.
Good luck.
http://www.gearvendors.com/
The tranny swap is probably cheaper, not sure how strong those od trannys are compared to the C6. Opinions seem to differ.
Changing tires or diff gears moves the problem from the top end to the starting line....dog city.
Good luck.
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AOD not AODE would be the simplest OD trans swap. No electronics to worry about, only a throttle valve cable.
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I would go for the AOD. You've got a small-block in a half-ton, that trans should do ok. I would consider one, but I've got a one-ton that tows and hauls a camper, so I'll keep my C6. I also re-geared it (lower) to get more power. I sure would like a GearVendors OD. For $3000 though, it will be a while before I can afford one....
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AODE would involve electronics, that's what the E stands for!
I believe that neither the AOD nor AODE were offered behind the 351W. That sort of shows that Ford didn't think they were strong enough.
You could switch to the E4OD, though that'll require changing the EEC-IV computer and dealing with the extra wiring. Plus, being a 4x4, both driveshafts would have to be changed.
I believe that neither the AOD nor AODE were offered behind the 351W. That sort of shows that Ford didn't think they were strong enough.
You could switch to the E4OD, though that'll require changing the EEC-IV computer and dealing with the extra wiring. Plus, being a 4x4, both driveshafts would have to be changed.
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Thanks all. I will live with the C6 for now. It is newly rebuilt with a killer shift kit. I have yet to figure gas mileage, but I will be happy with 12 MPG. The guy I bought the truck from says he got 15-16 on the highway (that was before I relaize it didn't have OD). I don't know about that but we'll see.
Peace,
Brian
Peace,
Brian
