New Tranny
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New User
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New Tranny
I'm trying to find a new tranny and rear end for my 68 so i get better gas mileage which is currently 10 and 11. This is my daily driver and i was wandering if swapping my 3 speed nonoverdrive for the 470RW and 3.55 for 3.08 is a good combo. Please help me i'm blowing most of my paycheck on gas and can't find money to keep building. Also what can i find that tranny in. Thanks.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
The less expensive thing to do would be to change out the 9" rear to a 3.00 or 2.75 gear.
That might be a good transmission but it will be expensive to swap. It is possible to find the rear for less than $50.00. That will slow the rpms down and pick up on mpgs.
Tune the carb and add a Pertronix or like electronic ign. and you might pick up 3 mpg.
The ol Ford trucks were built to work and economy just wasn't factored in. IMHO
John
That might be a good transmission but it will be expensive to swap. It is possible to find the rear for less than $50.00. That will slow the rpms down and pick up on mpgs.
Tune the carb and add a Pertronix or like electronic ign. and you might pick up 3 mpg.
The ol Ford trucks were built to work and economy just wasn't factored in. IMHO
John
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New User
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I thought about the 2.75 or 3.00 but i still like to go and "play" and i still do use the truck for towing and work. I figured with the steeper first and second gear the 3.08 would still have enough grunt to work and play. Thanks for the info it's greatly appreciated. Do you know what that trans came in by chance all the ones i'm finding are the electriconically controlled, which poses a problem being it has to be a vaccuum assist. It all helps man.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Gainesville, Georgia
I am considering some of the same options for my rig. I currently have a New Process 435 Transmission (4spd with granny low). It sounds terrible (the bearings are shot) so I either need to do a complete rebuild on it or get a new tranny. I would love to have a 5 speed with over drive, but they are very expensive. I have been pricing the NV-3550 and the NV-4500 and they are upwards of about $2,300 to $3,000. I'll most likely rebuild what I have and just change the front and rear gears to accomodate a little better gas mileage. I'll have that granny low for towing and pulling stuff!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
FWIW: These trucks are shaped like bricks. To get better gas mileage, you will end up spending more on mods, than you will on gas. And don't expect anything better than a 1 or 2 MPG increase in city mileage, at best.
For example: 1965 F100, 390, 3 speed overdrive, 3-1 axle ratio, 3800 lbs. 10-12 city MPG.
For example: 2006 NotaFord, 339 DOHC 32 valve V8, 5 speed auto/overdrive, 2.94-1 axle ratio, 5300 lbs. 9-12 city MPG.
Both trucks are driven in Los Angeles County traffic, where there are more vehicles than in all the southern states (unless you include TX) combined.
For example: 1965 F100, 390, 3 speed overdrive, 3-1 axle ratio, 3800 lbs. 10-12 city MPG.
For example: 2006 NotaFord, 339 DOHC 32 valve V8, 5 speed auto/overdrive, 2.94-1 axle ratio, 5300 lbs. 9-12 city MPG.
Both trucks are driven in Los Angeles County traffic, where there are more vehicles than in all the southern states (unless you include TX) combined.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Aug 1, 2007 at 03:44 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
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What about an overdrive unit like a gear vendor or simmilar? Don't know what they cost but the swap itself should be pretty straightforward, need to shorten the drive shaft but that's no big deal.
Also the tremek tko goes for about $1800, not cheap but better than the other tranny mentioned. Need to get the bellhousing like the cobra guys use to put it behind their fe's but might still be cheaper. Anyone try this? Matt.
Also the tremek tko goes for about $1800, not cheap but better than the other tranny mentioned. Need to get the bellhousing like the cobra guys use to put it behind their fe's but might still be cheaper. Anyone try this? Matt.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Tis my understanding that the Gear Vendor is around $3000.00. There just aren't any inexpensive outs for these gas loving ol trucks.
John
John
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New User
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all i got is a small bank acount but i do have access to all the salvage yards private and public in the mid south area. if yall' could tell me what that tranny came in i could probably get one cheap. Besides it's only a small block, so a new gear and tranny w/ overdrive like the 470 would work....right?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
OK, A 351W is a retro fit, not a factory install and would allow you to run an AOD behind the W without much modification.
Boy it helps us to have more of the blanks filled in.
John
Boy it helps us to have more of the blanks filled in.
John
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2007
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I have decided to go to a 302 and AOD combo...a AOD out of a Mark VII is a close ration AOD and has overdrive....I am going to use a 3.50 in my 9 inch.
I agree these are bricks, I use my 1968 to tow race car trailer and haul car parts
I agree these are bricks, I use my 1968 to tow race car trailer and haul car parts
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Front Royal
If you save 2 gallons of gas a day at todays prices you would save around $2000 a year. $3000 in a overdrive and you break even in 18 months. Thats if you burn regular.
And you don't have to sit in the right lane and let the minivans fly by ya.
And you don't have to sit in the right lane and let the minivans fly by ya.