I have a 1986 f150 4x4 with a standard tranny, what would I have to do to change it to automatic?
the cab is off and gone and the new cab thats going on is for an automatic

I am assuming an auto trany out of a 4x4 will fit in the place of the standard ...right?

 

You have to get an auto that will fit the engine. You also need to keep an eye out on how the driveshafts fit. Some transfer cases had a slip joint in the rear, and some had a yoke with the slip joint made into the driveshaft.

You also need to change the radiator to one that has a cooler in it. The last thing is you will have to deal with the neutral safety switch. The one you have now is one the clutch pedal. The auto will have the switch on the side of the tranny. So a little wiring is needed to move it from the clutch to the tranny.

 

well I knew the fitting the engine part.... the cab that is going on the truck is off of an automatic so its just the transmission thats needs swapping (new one should have neutral switch on it ... no ?) , dont have a rad so i'll pick one up with the cooling thing for the tranny, as for the drive shaft .... I have to get a rear one, because sombody stole mine while it was parked in a compound in the northend lol

 

The switch is on the tranny, so keep an eye out for the wires when you switch cabs, they will be some of the ones you unplug. I am not exactly sure if they are in the harness that runs along the frame, or in their own harness running down the firewall next to the bellhousing. The backup light wires will be in there too.

 

what size of engine do you have? is the only reason you want a auto tranny is because of the new cab? i would say it might be easier to cut the holes in for the sifter and clutch.
as far as to comvert from man to auto you will need to get a 4x4 tranny that bolts to the engine you have, then you will need to get the right adapter that goes between the tranny and t case. because a man transfer cas adapte will not bolt to an auto. you will need a new steering colume with all the links for the auto tranny. you can buy a heavy duity tranny cooler and mound it on the out side of your radiator and keep your old radiator. i would say you drive shafts for the manual 4x4 should work on the auto. i know they did in my case. you will also need to change the flywheel for a auto. thats about all i can think of right this minute.

i took an 86 f250 4x4 that had a 6.9 manual tranny with a 1345 bg transfer case and put a 400 with a 2 wheel drive c6 in it for about 2 years then took the 2 wheel drive c6 and put a 4x4 c6 in there. i bought a 4x4 c6 with a 6 inch tall shafter and gor and c6 adapter and it bolted straight up to the 1345. i was able to use the same drive shafts from the diesel manual on my c6.

good luck and let us know how things are going.

 

I like keeping the cooler in the radiator, even if you have an aux cooler too. The radiator helps warm the tranny fluid up when it's really cold outside which makes the tranny work better in cold weather.

 

+1

My '63 Chevy had an automatic tranny swapped in it from it's original three-on-the-tree setup, and only had a tranny cooler. That thing HATED cold weather to the point where it wouldn't shift out of 1st into 2nd at all if I started driving without letting the engine warm up a little.

 

i'll leave it standard....
so I just remove the plate in the center and swap it for the one with the shifter holes and boots?
can I leave the colum as is ? with the old auto shifer still attached and just add the clutch and breake pedal setup ?? lol

The truck didnt come with a front clip, wiring harness, or rad, and the cab was well crushed as one of the people at my uncles compound desided to stand on the roof .... and jump
costed me $100
and I just bought
another truck for $450 for the cab but its automatic

 

i dont see a problem with leaving the shifter on but when you go to put the clutch pedal in you are going to have to remove the steering wheel some to replace the bracket that holds the brake pedeal and clutch. it wouldnt be much more work to swap them out when putting the clutch pedal in. just a thought.