add on overdrive
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
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add on overdrive
Anybody know anything about adding an overdrive to an older truck? Mine is a 1979 F250 4x4 , 351m, c6 tranny. Is it possible to add an overdrive to this or is it a waste of time and money, or most important, will it damage my truck?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dracut, Massachusetts
Originally Posted by rob8210
Anybody know anything about adding an overdrive to an older truck? Mine is a 1979 F250 4x4 , 351m, c6 tranny. Is it possible to add an overdrive to this or is it a waste of time and money, or most important, will it damage my truck?
Last edited by 77f2504by4; Jan 2, 2008 at 09:06 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
but then you have a POS tranny...
yes this is MY opinion, but I think it is shared by a few others around here - one of them being NumberDummy - who saw many a part for these heat pigs go put the door. Maybe if he reads this thread he'll chime in on what a jewel of a trans the AOD is.
Yes the gear vendors is pricy, but is it the right way to get OD on an older truck like ours - many think so. I think a gear vendors would cost more than paying someone to swap an AOD into your truck, but it wouldn't cost much more. Plus you still have a stronger tranny with less heat problems AND the ability to split gears, etc.
yes this is MY opinion, but I think it is shared by a few others around here - one of them being NumberDummy - who saw many a part for these heat pigs go put the door. Maybe if he reads this thread he'll chime in on what a jewel of a trans the AOD is.
Yes the gear vendors is pricy, but is it the right way to get OD on an older truck like ours - many think so. I think a gear vendors would cost more than paying someone to swap an AOD into your truck, but it wouldn't cost much more. Plus you still have a stronger tranny with less heat problems AND the ability to split gears, etc.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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I agree with Chase. The AOD is a P-O-S. It is O.K. in light duty but our trucks are big and heavy. The gear venders would be the best choice. Very strong and not too difficult to install. One word of advise: Check clearances first before you buy it if your truck has a mid-ship fuel tank inside the frame rail. I tried to put one on a previous 2-wd truck with a C-6 and the gear venders unit did not clear the fuel tank. I ended up selling the truck before I made any modifications.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
AOD's hardly hold up behind smaller motors. When I had the supercharged 3.8L (out of 90's T-bird) in my ranger it ate a fresh AOD within 3 months. IF you MUST run an AOD then get the biggest cooler you can find (mine looked like a mini radiator!) and check/change the fluid a lot.
As for the gearvendors. I have seen used ones for $800 or so. Plus they have an adapter exchange program which lets you trade in the adapter for another, so if you find one for a TH400 or something you can trade that adapter for the c6 one...
As for the gearvendors. I have seen used ones for $800 or so. Plus they have an adapter exchange program which lets you trade in the adapter for another, so if you find one for a TH400 or something you can trade that adapter for the c6 one...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dracut, Massachusetts
Originally Posted by ChaseTruck754
As for the gearvendors. I have seen used ones for $800 or so. Plus they have an adapter exchange program which lets you trade in the adapter for another, so if you find one for a TH400 or something you can trade that adapter for the c6 one...
the only question i'd have about the gear vendors unit is, if it bolts to the back of the trans, or x-fer case, then would you need to shorten your driveshaft? and wouldnt that cause more extreme angles?
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
yes, and yes/no.
4wd trucks it's between the tranny and T-case seeing as Fords are divorced in these years. 2wd trucks I think the 2 piece drive shaft takes care of the angles.
I haven't put one of these on a 70's ford, I may have to depending on what i go with tranny wise on my crew.
4wd trucks it's between the tranny and T-case seeing as Fords are divorced in these years. 2wd trucks I think the 2 piece drive shaft takes care of the angles.
I haven't put one of these on a 70's ford, I may have to depending on what i go with tranny wise on my crew.
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Senior User
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If you have a married transfercase/tranny then it attaches to the back of the transfer case. If you have a divorced transfercase/tranny then you can attach it either to the tranny or transfercase. As far as the adapter swap goes, you have to pay for each adapter but Gearvenders will store it for you as they will only let you have one adapter per unit at a time. If you get one with the wrong adapter for your application, you will have to send them the wrong one and pay for the new one. If you ever want to change back to the oner you sent them, they will trade you for the one you have at just the cost of shipping. You never have to but an adapter twice. If you ask Gearvenders, they do not make a version to mount between a married transfercase/tranny.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,107
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From: Spokane, WA
Does anybody know if the GV OD unit will be a width issue to the side mount gas tank in a 4x4?
Mine is a 79 4x4 Supercab, with a C6 and a married NP205. From what I've read, the GV unit bolts directly to the rear output of the transfer case, and I'd just have to get a new one piece driveline, and do away with the two piece...that's my theory, anyway. As for room for the GV unit, I'm curious with my configuration if there will be clearance issues. I'm guessing I might luck out due to the longer cab, the GV unit might miss the side tank, but that's speculation at this point.
Mine is a 79 4x4 Supercab, with a C6 and a married NP205. From what I've read, the GV unit bolts directly to the rear output of the transfer case, and I'd just have to get a new one piece driveline, and do away with the two piece...that's my theory, anyway. As for room for the GV unit, I'm curious with my configuration if there will be clearance issues. I'm guessing I might luck out due to the longer cab, the GV unit might miss the side tank, but that's speculation at this point.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 61
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Ok, here is my take on an AOD.
I have looked into it at great length and I have to say that everyone so far is right on with their comments.
In a nutshell the AOD is a great thing.. You have a couple of choices for rebuilt units that have had the weak parts replaced with stronger ones. The add on units, like the Gear Venders drive is about the same price... and just as much work to install.
Bottom line it will cost about $3500-$5000 to put one of these things in your truck and if it is a 4x4 then it will not be as strong as a C6. Oh, and how much gas can you buy for $5000??
That equals about 20000+ miles !! I wanted to put an AOD in my 4x4 truck but after a lot of research I concluded that it wasn't worth it..
Regards,
I have looked into it at great length and I have to say that everyone so far is right on with their comments.
In a nutshell the AOD is a great thing.. You have a couple of choices for rebuilt units that have had the weak parts replaced with stronger ones. The add on units, like the Gear Venders drive is about the same price... and just as much work to install.
Bottom line it will cost about $3500-$5000 to put one of these things in your truck and if it is a 4x4 then it will not be as strong as a C6. Oh, and how much gas can you buy for $5000??
That equals about 20000+ miles !! I wanted to put an AOD in my 4x4 truck but after a lot of research I concluded that it wasn't worth it..
Regards,
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
THe first thing NOT mentioned is the AOD was only available behind a 302/(351?) so it wont bolt up to a 351M without some expensive modificatinos. The 460 E4OD will bolt up, however it will not work unless you convert to a full manual valve body, or purchase an expensive stand alone computer, plus modify your rig for the various sensors it needs to run. I am not sure what torque converter you would need to run, or what modifications are needed. At the end of the day, and each every other day, you will be miles ahead, and happier with a gear vendors.