Hi guys, first post here. I own a 77 ford f150 with a 400, mildly modified, a 4speed, with really low gearing use 2cd gear to take off, and 4.11 rear and front differentials. I am looking for either a new trans with overdrive, or a gear vendors overdrive kit.

I would like your opinions on the this and I have heard something about a 3 speed with overdrive that was used from ford.

Aftermarket overdrive?

late model 5 speed/6speed.


I currently have 32 inch tires, and 4.11 gears with an rpm around 3 grand at 60-65.

Any suggestions?

 

right now you have a very strong trans., and wouldnt bother replacing it if it were up to me.. If I were you, I'd go with a new set of axle gears. 3:73s or something

 

Use the gear venders unit. You'll never break it.

 

As I recall the Gear Vendor unit is about 2 grand. Very strong with a 20% OD capability, that would get you to about a 3.29 gear ratio and a 2400 rpm 60 mph.

Or, for the 2k you could put in a set of 3.50's with traction aids (lockers or LSD) and have about 2500 rpm @ 60. If you don't have limited slip differentials, this would seem to be a good upgrade in the same price range, and maybe a little cheaper since you don't have to fab the driveshaft or mounts. Since the 9" rear has a ton of ratios available, you could get it down in the low 3.00's and (providing the Dana 44 can get the same ratio) get the rpm's down near 2000. Just an option to think about. Joe

 

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...7_4-speeds.htm Take a look at this also, not cheap but less then the GV unit. There are a number of possibilities out there. I'm seriously considering a NV4500 transmission swap into mine for the overdrive option.

 

Ha that's funny. I was actually just mulling over the same dilemma about an hour agofor my F150. It's got a 351M and a t18 but I am unsure of the R+Ps. All I know is she is screaming at anything over 50.

 

The Ranger is only spec'd to handle 420ft/lbs of torque. Does anyone know of reliability issues with built motors? I would hate to drop that much on it only to tear it up.

 

Is there a factory od trans that will bolt up to a 460/205 setup? My rig seems to get 10.5 mpg empty, loaded, uphill or down, on or off road.

76 F150 Explorer 4x4
470 c.i. (460 + .040)
DOVE heads
10.5 to one
204*-214* cam (@.050) .484"-.510" lift
4 degrees advanced
Edelbrock 600 cfm 4bbl
Edelbrock Performer intake
K&N Filter
NP 435 trans
Dana 205
3.50 gears
31" tires
193k on the chassis
30k on the motor
Everything else bone stock

 

After checking out the link, I see the Ranger unit will give you overdrive in both 2 and 4 wheel drive. The GV will not. Unless you really hammer it, and keep tire size to 33", I think it would be ok, torquewise. That sounds like a good option. Thanks for the info

 

Thanks for all the options, it is the cast iron tranny with the ultra low first. The 4:11's are new in the back that is why I hate to replace them. I guess at the time I torn the rear out the cost of switching the front diff. was too much. Both diffs are posi I think, at least I know the rear one is and it has the 31 spline axles.

This is a unique truck since it was ordered by a ford employee. It has dual gas tanks, factory 4.11s, ultra low four speed and low transfer case, and a factory inch or so lift. It is also the uglyest green inside and out. Just replaced the rear leafs and they were 3/4 ton spec and my dad is the second owner and they were stock ford stuff.

I guess what I was looking at is a tranny out of a mustang or something with overdrive. The stock tranny is getting worn out, 3rd gear is missing something that I found stuck to the drain plug. A cage looking thing. I see the gear vender unit and it looks great but is pricey. I would assume I would have to shorten the driveshift.

I feel the truck needs a better, crisper shifting manual, to be competitive in a light to light line up with the newer trucks. The engine has roughly 300hp but lots of torque.

Thanks again

 

you could bolt up a zf 5 spd off of a 460, that will give you the overdrive you're after, transfer case will bolt right up, I've got a 79 250 with one , 150 should be ok if you use the 250 driveshafts, they're cheap!

 

Mustang trans are too light and 1st is too tall.

The "toploader" four speed OD isn't real strong, has a fairly tall 1st (3.29 or so), & a huge gap 2nd to 3rd. They are cheap and were available in a 4wd version, I think.

They probably wouldn't last long behind a powerful engine, but you could break 4 or 5 for the price of the Ranger.

The 4 speed is first up here. Doesn't the 400 have the same bell as the 460? If so, ZF 5 speed is the answer. It is also listed here.

http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/...nny_guide.html

 

I used the zf-5 speed, there are pics of the conversion in my gallery, you can use your stock driveshafts, and its much cheaper than one of those overdrive units