My dad just bought http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2596751 which is a 1986 F-150 Custom 4x2. 300-6 engine and a 4 speed manual. I was wondering if there are any short throw shifters or any custom shifter available for this transmission(1st gear is a granny gear) and if not, what tranny would bolt in directly without any mods to the truck? Also, i think the rear axle would be an 8.8" right? what gears would be in it(all the factory gears so i can figure out what would be better) and how do i know if it is limited slip without doing a burnout lol? What if i bolted a limited slip 9" from like a 76/77 truck? would it need any mods to do that?

 

Can't see what you need from the pictures. 86's used both 8.8 and 9" rear ends. There should be a tag on one of the cover bolts with the ratio on it.
A 3.50:1 9" open diff will have this on the bottom line - 3 50 9 XXX
If it has a limited slip diff it will say somethine like this - 3L50 9 XXX

8.8 tags are similar. Check out the tech articles linked to this page.

Ford also used several 4 spd trannys in this series of truck. You'll need pix to compare it to. Also check the tech articles for trany ID links.

 

oh well i know the axle isnt a 9" cuz i know what i 9" looks like since i have one in my own truck. and thanks for the tag codes, ill try to get a pic of the tranny when it gets warm out...not that theres anything wrong with it but i think it could be better with a custom shifter or short throw and maybe just a different tranny with overdrive

 

Overdrive = gas savings.

 

A nine inch from a '70s truck will fit, but as far as I know it not a drop in. I know that the spring perches are different & I belive that the width is a little different. An '80-86 9" is a drop in however.
Edwin

 

oh i wasnt aware of 80s 9" rear ends

 

The switched sometime around 83 from the 9" to the 8.8. I had an 83 F100 that was an 8.8, but I've personally seen an 84 F150 with an original 9" 3.50 LS rear. You can also get the 8.8's with a LSD. I got one from a 90 F150 in the junk yard not too long ago for $80.

 

well i checked the tag, i saw something that said 8 5L22, does that mean its an 8.8 with 5.22s and a limited slip?

 

If it has a cover plate it's not a 9", but most likely a 8.8". The 9" rear has a removable carrier. Take another look at the tag. Often the 1st digit of the ratio is obscurred by the attaching bolt.