Granny gear swap

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Nov 22, 2004 | 08:24 PM

Paul Crowther

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Granny gear swap

My 88 F-150 4x4 4 speed has a VERY low granny first gear. If I ever (as in WHEN) I have a reason to drop the trans, is it a big deal to change the ratio of that first gear to something a little higher? I hardly ever use it unless I'm hauling a load or on a steep hill. Max speed is only about 8-10 mph in it.
Paul

Nov 22, 2004 | 09:08 PM

Twilight Child

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hehe can you make it pop the front tires up using that gear?

Nov 22, 2004 | 09:43 PM

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

You can't change the ratio of the gears that I'm aware of. You can swap in another tranny, but whatever you swap in won't be as strong as what you have now.

Nov 22, 2004 | 10:47 PM

68 351 bronc

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From: Colville

Sounds like a ZF. you could swap in a M5OD. There are many guys on here that would trade you strait across and do the labor also!

Nov 23, 2004 | 12:58 AM

SoCalDesertRider

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I thought he said he had a 4-speed? Were the T18/NP435 still being used in '88?

Nov 23, 2004 | 01:56 AM

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

I have a T-18 in my '89.

I think they were used up until '92 or so, but they got tougher to find as more people opted for the OD tranny or automatic.

Nov 23, 2004 | 08:18 PM

Paul Crowther

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Was that trans so rare? Did a lot of the 4x4's of that period have that low first gear?

I have no beef with it, except that first winds out so soon. By the time you shift to 2nd you loose most of your momentum. Now if I could wind it out to 5-6000 rpm, that's be different, but I don't think so...
Paul

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Nov 23, 2004 | 10:52 PM

SoCalDesertRider

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Andy, thanks for the info. I shoulda read your signature a little more carefully too. Sounds like you have a good combination with that 300-6 and T18. I wouldn't mind having that combination in my Bronco with 31's and 3.73's.

ATC is right, the second gear in that transmission is as low as or lower than most regular manual trannys' first gears. No problem starting in second

Nov 24, 2004 | 10:02 AM

#10

ATC_250SX

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i actually wanted to do a swap im my truck from the c-6 to the t-18, i love the fact that you can put it in 1st in four low, and get out and practicly walk circles around the truck. but, mines almost as good as that with an auto, so i think ill stick to it, plus its better on lazy days.

Nov 24, 2004 | 11:59 AM

#11

eeeny

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I'm just about to rebuild my ZF 5spd gearbox, and reading about it
the gears are "shrunk fit" (heated) onto the counter shaft so it would
make it difficult for average DIY mechanic to change them even if you
could find an alternative gear.

Nov 24, 2004 | 01:22 PM

#12

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalDesertRider

It revs a little high on the road for my taste. I have to do 65 or 70 to keep up with traffic around here, and I'm pushing 3k at those speeds. That's a little high for the 300. You can't beat it for being bullet-proof, though - this truck has never left me down, and at 145k miles, it's got a LOT of life yet. The body's in great shape, too. For offroad stuff, this truck is tough to beat. I've taken it over some pretty rough terrain and never got stuck. It tows ok, but suffers because of the short wheelbase. You either get something that tows well, or is good offroad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Crowther

Was that trans so rare? Did a lot of the 4x4's of that period have that low first gear?

The granny low four speeds were very common in the 70's and even early 80's, but as more and more people got into the SUV/pickup craze, automatics became more and more popular. Ford came out with the M5OD in '88, and a lot of people wanted something that got a little better gas mileage, so of the few who opted for the stick, a good chunk went that route. The only people who got granny low four speeds after '89 or so were the hardcore pickup drivers - those who took their rigs offroad, or those who pulled heavy loads. In other words, those who don't give a rat's butt about gas mileage.

Nov 24, 2004 | 09:17 PM

#13

framerboy

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Here is a little more info for you Paul. I owned a 1987 F150 for many years that had the inline six and a 4 speed manual transmission. This one did not have the granny gear, it was basically a 3 speed with overdrive as the fourth gear. The shifter was marked with an O instead of a 4. My truck was two wheel drive, so I do not know whether it would fit your truck or not.