79 Needs New Tranny
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79 Needs New Tranny
Ok so i have this '79 i just got. The 3 speed makes terrible noises in all except 3rd gear and it wastes gas. So what transmission can i swap in that's a 4-speed that will drop right in? I really want some more drivability as this will/is my daily driver.
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It would be really nice if sombody could tell me one that would be good for Daily Driving and towing, as i plan to tow a medium sized camping trailer with it. It would all be nice if i could get the stock hurst shifter to work with the new 4-speed so i can keep the stock look of the truck.
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First, the 3 speed shifter won't fit the 4 spds. The 4 spds. are a toploader design. I have a NP435 4 spd. in my '77 and it's my DD. The BW T-18 and T-19 work well also.The granny low is very useful for towing. The T-19 has synchros in ALL gears, whereas the 435 and T-18 have unsynchroed rev. an 1st.
Another good tranny is the ZF-5spd., granny low w/ an O/D. Those can get costly though. What size engine do you have, as you will need the correct bell housing for it. Good luck.
Another good tranny is the ZF-5spd., granny low w/ an O/D. Those can get costly though. What size engine do you have, as you will need the correct bell housing for it. Good luck.
Last edited by 77300i6; Aug 18, 2005 at 12:30 PM. Reason: sp
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The ZF-5 spd would probably be best (granny gear w/ OD). One from another 302 or 351W will fit, thought you may have to make adjustments to the tranny X-member or your driveshafts. There are others on here that have successfully done this swap. Just do a search for ZF-5 spd. Stay AWAY from the Mazda M5OD. They were ususally behind the 300L6. FYI: 289/302, 300L6, 351W and 351C have the SAME bell housing patterns.
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Do i really need a 5 speed in a 2 tonne truck? I'm looking to spend only like $400 on the whole thing. How much would a ZF-5 spd conversion cost? Also what models came with them so i can get the whole assembly from a junk yard.
Last edited by Terran; Aug 19, 2005 at 10:46 AM.
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Terran, I have a 4 speed out of a 83 F-250 diesel 4x4, not sure where your at, or if it would work for ya but it would be cheap if you wanted it. I'm in southern MN.
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You asked what would be the best. IMO the ZF would be, but with a $400 budget, you won't even be able to touch the tranny. A NP435 or a BW T-18 or a T-19 would probably be you most enconomical decisions.
The ZF itself would cost about $800-$1500, plus the slave cylinder, and everthing else associated w/ a hydraulic clutch setup
The NP435 has rev. over and down while the BW trannys have rev. over and up(beside 1st.) The tranny itself will more than likely cost a few bills, but sometimes a deal can be found. Just keep searching.
The ZF itself would cost about $800-$1500, plus the slave cylinder, and everthing else associated w/ a hydraulic clutch setup
The NP435 has rev. over and down while the BW trannys have rev. over and up(beside 1st.) The tranny itself will more than likely cost a few bills, but sometimes a deal can be found. Just keep searching.
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Of the NP435, BW T-18, and T-19 which would be the best for towing/everyday use. Also which would drop in the easiest? Can you also give me any info as to which vehicals each tranny came from and what year i should be looking for?
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All three of them are very good trannys. The NP435 has a 6.69:1 first gear (commonly), while the BW T-18 has a 6.32:1 first gear. Both are a good, but the NP435 may be a bit better. The T-19 is very similar to the T-18, except it has synchros in first and reverse where neither the NP435 or the T-18 do. The NP435 and T-18 can be found in 73-85 of so Ford trucks. The T-19 can found in later trucks (F250 & F350's). The T-19 also came with different gearsets, some were wide ratio and some were close ratio. All three serve very well as a DD, and rebuild kits (if needed) are fairly cheap. I hardly ever use 1st gear in my truck (NP435) unless I have a heavy load on, starting in 2nd. is just fine. If you can find a T-19 close ratio I think that may be best, but like I said all three are good and practically indestructible. I think all three would be about the same amount of work to swap in.