Straight Six Tranny
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 34
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Straight Six Tranny
I originally posted a message a while back asking about swapping my 300i6 for a 302. After reading this site every night I've learned that you guys think a lot of the straight six. I think I have decided to keep the six in the truck. Like I said, I THINK. I have a 4 speed tranny with the granny gear. If I put a 5 speed in it's place, will that 5th gear help my truck not to wind out so much at a higher speed, say 70-75mph? To me it's winding, not much, but my 1990 Ranger with a 2.3 was much quieter. I know this truck is set up to accomodate the lower end rather than top end speed. I don't want to win races, just not have to worry if I take a 150 mile trip to the coast and have to keep up with the flow of traffic. Do you guys think i should go ahead with the 302? If not, what tranny do you recommend for the 6cyl? I guess I'm trying to achieve the best of both worlds. ( not a lot of heavy towing involved with the truck) This site is a lifesaver! Thanks to all who reply.
Regards,
Calvin
Regards,
Calvin
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Straight Six Tranny
If you have a grannyish first and it is winding too high in top gear and you say you don't tow, then you should be able to correct the matter with a lower rear end. What do you have now, a 3:73? I had an 84 f150 with a 300 six and a 4 speed OD tranny that had a 2:47 rear end. That thing turned about 1600 RPM in OD at 70 MPH. It think it was a bit too much though as with a strong headwind I had to shift to 3rd where it turned about 2150 at 70MPH--still not bad (That is what OD does in my '95 F150 300 six which has a 5 speed). The first gear was steep in the 84--nowhere near a granny--but it took off fine and you could pull first out to about 40 MPH which mean for some fine acceleration. Now with my 5 speed which has a grannyish first, I can't get out very fast as I must shift at about 15 or 20 MPH. I highly recommend you find out your tranny gear ratios and rear end ration and then what rear gears are available and calc this thing out. Do you have a tach? You can guesstimate the tranny ratios from that, the speedo, the tire size and rear ratio. Rear ratio should be stated in owners manual at towing section off of door plate code. Let us know what you find out.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 34
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Straight Six Tranny
TallPaul,
Thanks a lot for your help. I'll check out all the numbers tomorrow. What is your email? I'll mail the numbers to you so you can see exactly what I have. I welcome any other suggestions you may have. Thanks again.
Calvin
Thanks a lot for your help. I'll check out all the numbers tomorrow. What is your email? I'll mail the numbers to you so you can see exactly what I have. I welcome any other suggestions you may have. Thanks again.
Calvin
