4 speed toploader questions
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4 speed toploader questions
I am strongly considering replacing the auto tranny in my '65 with a 4 speed top loader. My questions is, if I can only find one that is non-overdrive, can I switch out the 4th gear to an overdrive gear. Or will the jump from 3rd to 4th be too great? I would really like to have an overdrive gear, but I am trying to do it fairly budget. Any help would be appreciated.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
You cannot swap gearsets between the 3+1 Toploader and the older close or wide ratio Toploaders. The main cases are different between the two. If you want overdrive, buy a 3+1 OD Toploader to start with.
Hotshot
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From: south louisiana
The earlier 4 speed Toploaders sell or even more. If you have a small block, I'd look at the 80's version, the all aluminum top shifted one, or step up to an M5OD-R2 5 speed that was used behind the 300-302-351's in the late 80's to mid 90's.
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Yeah, that is a bit high for me right now. I am emailing with Mike at Fortes right now, and that is the setup he sells. I can dream I guess. Looks like the Cruise O Matic will remain for a while.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
The Aluminum Toploader from the early 80's pickups will bolt up top a Toploader bell, you might need a 1" spacer though for the longer input shaft, or possibly thinner if you've got a C5TE bell for your 352. And then there's the SROD used in the Stangs too, sure they're not as tough as the iron cased ones, but if you don't abuse it, it ought to hold up fine.
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From: NE Ga
Originally Posted by baddad457
And then there's the SROD used in the Stangs too, sure they're not as tough as the iron cased ones, but if you don't abuse it, it ought to hold up fine.
Laughing Gas
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Been looking at this myself with the 69. So far it doesn't look like there is an economical way to get an od behind an fe. Glad for the post though, the more we kick this around the more likely we are to find something.
62 Galaxie is right, the tko's are awesome but 2k is steep.
62 Galaxie is right, the tko's are awesome but 2k is steep.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by royalchoppers
Yeah, that is a bit high for me right now. I am emailing with Mike at Fortes right now, and that is the setup he sells. I can dream I guess. Looks like the Cruise O Matic will remain for a while.
The Ford 4 speed TSOD is a weak sister, and can barely stand up to a 300, 302 or 351W without breaking. The shifter mechanism is a POS, with a little plastic bushing that snaps off. On some shifters, it can only be bought with the entire assembly. First introduced in 300 I-6 and 351W 1975 Econolines, and used thru the 1980's.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Nov 10, 2007 at 01:33 PM.
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From: Madison, SD
Guess I don't know of a cheap way to do it. The TKO 600's are one tough tranny!!! They are rated for up to 600 ft. lbs of torque. The other option to get over drive is a Gear Vendors unit, but they run about $2400.00 too.
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From: mountaintop, Pa
I have a TOD from a 87 f250. It bolted right up to a truck bell no real issues. You will have to get a 24 spline yoke and driveshaft work.
The 3 speed is real nice with my 390. I thought I would not have enough gears but it's not a problem. And in 4th I run down the highway at 70+ @/2400 rpms I have 4:10's
I paid $25 for the tranny I thisn it's also known as a 170 rts. 3+OD
I don't beat on it my 250 is a DD Check the bronco forums or J-yards. Not many folks seem to like them, but it's a bolt in solution. If I had a 9" rear I may have just went with higher gears.
bob
The 3 speed is real nice with my 390. I thought I would not have enough gears but it's not a problem. And in 4th I run down the highway at 70+ @/2400 rpms I have 4:10's
I paid $25 for the tranny I thisn it's also known as a 170 rts. 3+OD
I don't beat on it my 250 is a DD Check the bronco forums or J-yards. Not many folks seem to like them, but it's a bolt in solution. If I had a 9" rear I may have just went with higher gears.
bob
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