I am taking my 78 Crew Cab in next week to have the tranny rebuilt. I have a 460 with a C6, Dana 60's front and rear with 411's and 36" tires. I mostly use this truck for towing. I am looking for some information on what type of components to think about getting in the rebuild.

Is there anything that some of you wish you would have done or had not done?

I will most likely be getting some type of shift kit and heavy duty clutch packs. I have heard of people puting in a higher or taller 3rd gear, has anyone done this or know if it is possible? I would like to lower my RMP's at higher speed without having to buy a costly overdrive.

 

The last C6 I rebuilt, I increased the number of steels and frictions. I used stock frictions, but shaved the pressure plate to add more. Trans has been worked hard for 5 years and with regular fluid changes is still bangin' the shifts. I would'nt for go the gear change. I don't think you would like it. Depending on how much you drive, I would look into a GV overdrive. Pricey but very good. Why not rbuild the trans yourself anf take the money you save and put towards a GV. I rebuilt mine for about 150 including the mods and shift kit.

 

Using 5 clutches in the direct and forward clutch drums is a good idea along with a mild shift kit.
They (in the Ford performance catalog) offer a 5 clutch direct drum, but you could have the pressuer plate made thinner or have the snap ring groves in both drums recut a little higher (the thickness of one metal and one friction plate).

Get a heavy duty torque converter with furnace brazed fins and a torrington bearing instead of the thrust washer.

As for the band, there is the "R" code servo piston (in the Ford performance catalog) that you should use with a heavy duty band.

I'd use the E4OD rear case bushing as it's one piece instead of 2.

Also the upgraded version of the E4OD went to a steel 6 planitary (instead of the 4 planet aluminum one) that also used torrington bearings instead of a washers (in the Ford performance catalog) where the power connects with the output shaft.
It will give a shorter 1st and 2nd gear for getting started while keeping 3rd 1:1 so you could go with a slightly taller rear end ratio and it would be like having a taller high gear and be much cheaper than a (I wish I could afford one) Gear Vendor.

"Former E4OD mechanic, powder coater, welder and all around handy man awating the arrival of a 91 F250 7.3 with either 65,000---165,000---265,000 miles on it. I'm betting 165,000."

 

If you can find a forged intermediate band that would be a plus, produced only a few years back in the 60's besides they can be relined. Install a TransGo kit plus as stated a good torque converter.
I would use a custom super low stall for less converter slip besides lower generated heat and the lower 1st and second gear set.
Add a big cooler in line with the radiator cooler plus a big disk magnet in the pan.