ford upgrades
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: corapeake usa
ford upgrades
i have a 1974 f-100,302 with an fmx transmission.i have owned this truck for about three years.i enjoy it very much. it already is a good looking truck. i am now working on taking it to the next level.first is the transmission it currntly has the fmx but,only has first and third gears.should i rebuild it or swap it for a more common c-6? secondly is the handling.i have noticed alot of body roll.my truck does not have sway bars.i want to install front and rear.i would appreciate any leads on where to obtain these.also looking for an o.e.m. tailgate,grill,and chrome trim that surronds grill.i also would like to drop the rear alittle to give it that sprt truck look.will be installing air bags to insure load capabilities.would like to know most effecient way to do this.have many more questions but these are my most pressing right now.thanks to anyone that can help
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
ford upgrades
one thing I would do is replace the cab bushings with polyurethane ones.As far as lowering the rear just pull 1-2 leaves out of the spring pack until it is where you want it .Worked great on my 66 f100
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: corapeake usa
ford upgrades
thanks for the advice i plan on adding a bushing kit all the way around. as far as the leaf springs i guess pulling a couple wouldn't hurt to much since i am installing air bags for loads but will i be giving up handling performance? that is what i am wanting to improve the most.thanks for any help
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: corapeake usa
ford upgrades
i am not saying anything bad about either one.the fmx is a really tuff tranny.i've owned the truck for about three years.it has only had 1 and 3 the whole time.i expected it to go out shortly after i bought it.it now has about 30,000 miles on it in the time i've had it.i just wanted to know if it is worth my time to rebuild it or not.i am rodding the motor out a little and wanted to know if i could get the preformance out of the fmx or if i should go c-6.thanks for your thoughts.it always helps
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
ford upgrades
I dont know much about the fmx tranny but I know the c6 can withstand alot of hard abuse.Plus it does seem to be alot more common so parts may be easier to get and maybe an easier trans to make indestructable.Just a thought and good luck .The only reason I suggested the pulling of leaves in the rear was because of the air bags and I personally have not noticed a handling problem on my truck.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
ford upgrades
Gentle,
Sway bars limit/prevent weight distribution from side to side. This condition takes place during turning. 90% of your weight is in the front of your vehicle. Therefore you only need to put a sway bar on the front of your truck.
Secondly, Fix the tranny you have. It will be cheaper and keep your truck original. Don't cause yourself unwanted problems. Anytime you change from factory you are going to cause yourself problems/expense.
Thirdly, lowering your truck is going to cause you problems. Are you ready to shorten your driveshaft? If you remove springs will this cause driveshaft "clunk". Yes, it may.
I wish you luck with your endeavors.
My Way is the Highway
KingFisher
Sway bars limit/prevent weight distribution from side to side. This condition takes place during turning. 90% of your weight is in the front of your vehicle. Therefore you only need to put a sway bar on the front of your truck.
Secondly, Fix the tranny you have. It will be cheaper and keep your truck original. Don't cause yourself unwanted problems. Anytime you change from factory you are going to cause yourself problems/expense.
Thirdly, lowering your truck is going to cause you problems. Are you ready to shorten your driveshaft? If you remove springs will this cause driveshaft "clunk". Yes, it may.
I wish you luck with your endeavors.
My Way is the Highway
KingFisher
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,620
Likes: 341
From: Albuquerque
ford upgrades
Well I cannot help but put my .02 in.
Go ahead and use both sway bars. This will improve the handling, especially if you ever carry a load.
The C-6 is a lot tougher than the FMX and will stand up to heavy loads and "hot rodding" a lot better. It's also "factory". You may need a torque converter, mount or to change the drive shaft length.
I lowered my truck 3" all around and it's great but it's a lot of work and expense. I took out the base sping in the bag and it rides great but I need to get the air bags on before trying to carry a load. You wont have any problem with the drive shaft unless it's already too long. It's good to check though, if it's too long it could jam the tranny tail shaft. Also check the drive shaft angles for proper "U" joint life.
Remember : To each his own. Ford that is.
Bear Tracks
Go ahead and use both sway bars. This will improve the handling, especially if you ever carry a load.
The C-6 is a lot tougher than the FMX and will stand up to heavy loads and "hot rodding" a lot better. It's also "factory". You may need a torque converter, mount or to change the drive shaft length.
I lowered my truck 3" all around and it's great but it's a lot of work and expense. I took out the base sping in the bag and it rides great but I need to get the air bags on before trying to carry a load. You wont have any problem with the drive shaft unless it's already too long. It's good to check though, if it's too long it could jam the tranny tail shaft. Also check the drive shaft angles for proper "U" joint life.
Remember : To each his own. Ford that is.
Bear Tracks
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: cherry hill U.S.A.
ford upgrades
ya,about the bushings i was going to replace the ones in front under the raditior support ordered the parts from ford top mounts were different bottom ones looked right[79 F100] then i went to take the old ones out what a nightmare,i think they were rusted in had my mec. look at them he had no clue,i did read on this subject some time ago on this site and i think someone said they took a torch to them,also some guys had a bad time on the aftermarket poly bushings,too thick tryed to cut them and so on,i never did get them off returned the parts and they were so happy they charged me a 20% restocking fee all i have to say is be carefull when doing the rad.support bushings.good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
ford upgrades
About lowering -- I know a lot of guys use dropped I-beams. I saw in a mag (Classic Trucks, maybe?) recently a guy with a real nice looking 72 F100 that he lowered using a Mustang II IFS setup from Fatman fabrications. Now THAT is a lot of money (min of $2000) and work. Why go that route instead of just using the dropped beams?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Lower 48
ford upgrades
I also have an FMX behind a 351M that is in bad need of a rebuild. From all the information I've gathered, it is best to go with a C6 simply because they are more common and less expensive to get rebuilt if and when the need arises.
Trail Rider
Trail Rider