Car 4 speed toploaders
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Car 4 speed toploaders
I was wondering there is all these transmission swaps but has any used or tried putting a 4 speed out of the old mustangs, rancheros, falcons or galaxies? Instead of the truck 4 speed or m5od out of the newer trucks. I have a 76 F100 2wd 302 three out the tree and i want to convert from that to a floor shift. dont get me wrong i like the truck the way it is but i plan on making a 347 stroker some what of a sleeper. It needs more power cause in stock form and tall highway gears its kinda gutless. Anyone thoughts and opinions are apreciated. And Screw the oil and gas companies i planning on power not fuel economy. That's what a rice grinder is for.
Thx
Denny
Thx
Denny
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: southwest Wisconsin
Many, many years ago (late 70s) I installed a toploader 4speed from a Torino into a friends 67 F100 short box with a warmed over 302 w/351w heads-a hot ticket back in the day-and a Hurst vertigal gate shifter. Truck was originally I6 3sp. To be honest I don't remember a a lot about it other than the truck went like hell. So yes, it can be done. Sorry I can't recall more details, I'm gettin' old.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, PA
Are you set on the four speed, or is getting the shifter on the floor the big issue?
I've never had a truck with the three speed so I don't know what they're like. I did have a three on the tree in an Early Bronco, which was real flimsy and loose and generally sucked. I got a Hurst floor shift conversion kit and it worked great in it! I would recomend doing that--it's an easy install, and prolly cheaper with less fab. Then, you can always change the running gears.
I've never had a truck with the three speed so I don't know what they're like. I did have a three on the tree in an Early Bronco, which was real flimsy and loose and generally sucked. I got a Hurst floor shift conversion kit and it worked great in it! I would recomend doing that--it's an easy install, and prolly cheaper with less fab. Then, you can always change the running gears.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
True but a four or five speed would be nice. I Thought of doing the hurst conversion more then once. but i dont want to cut a hole in my floorboard and end up changing transmissions and have to cut another hole.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
The 4 speed toploaders or a 5 speed Tremec 3350/TKO will bolt in and be more than adequate for a 347. The only things that you should have to mess with would be the shifter and maybe the driveshaft length.
If you go floorshift on the 3 speed, I've found the Hurst Mastershift is far superior to the Indy series. They are a little more $, but worth it IMO. I have one in my '65 F-100.
If you go floorshift on the 3 speed, I've found the Hurst Mastershift is far superior to the Indy series. They are a little more $, but worth it IMO. I have one in my '65 F-100.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, PA
I hear Duff makes a good three spd floor conversion now too. They shortened the thro between gears, and moved the shifter to the right more to give you more leg room. Still, I was always happy with the Hurst. BUT you would rather have a four speed--which I can understand. Just wanted to share another option.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: coastal GA.
I don't know about yours but i have a mechcanical linkage on mine(75 i6 ) for the clutch. which also means that there is a spot for the linkage to bolt up to the engine.--all the newer trans have a cable operated clutch not the linkage,so when you pull the current engine-you would have to do the whole clutch linkage over also. Am i correct ? any one?
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Good Hope, GA
I have the Hurst floor conversion in my 67(I know wrong forum but I figure it applies). It get the job done, but is a long way from a top loader. If either the tranny or shifter every take a serious crap I will be doing exactly what your talking about.
The only things with the floor shifter is you better have long arms cause it is a long way from first out to second. Also you have to be careful to only move the shifter left to right in the middle of the throw, otherwise you'll pop the pin outta the hole in the shift rod, then you have to crawl under the truck to get it back in.
With practice its not hard to use, and after awhile you don't even think about it.
Unless you really want to keep the 3spd I wouldn't even consider the conversion.
My .02$. Good luck!
The only things with the floor shifter is you better have long arms cause it is a long way from first out to second. Also you have to be careful to only move the shifter left to right in the middle of the throw, otherwise you'll pop the pin outta the hole in the shift rod, then you have to crawl under the truck to get it back in.
With practice its not hard to use, and after awhile you don't even think about it.
Unless you really want to keep the 3spd I wouldn't even consider the conversion.
My .02$. Good luck!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
I think the toploader has the speedometer cable hook up on the passenger side of trans too. You will have to deal with that too. Here is acutaway of one.
Cutaway View
Cutaway View
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
Classicranger is right about the cable. I have a top loader behind a hot 390 in my '68 Cougar and its plenty strong but they are getting to find and pricey. There are a few different models to choose from including close ratio (which has a tall 2.32:1 first gear), wide ratio (with a 2.78:1 first), and some called the 3+1 (fourth is overdrive). Keep in mind also that even though they all bolt to the bell housing the same there a differences in the input shafts between the big and small block versions. I found out the hard way on the Cougar that car and truck bell housings are also different. The truck version was slightly deeper and did not allow the snout of the input shaft to engage the pilot bushing completely causing the front seal and bearing to go out.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
That why i asked so i could get the info i needed. I figuired this would be the best place to do so. And to supercab try to post or send some pics. but i would like to find a transmission a little more locally so i can drive to pick it. if need be i will change the bell and clutch from my truck to a car i have no problems on making that decision. its 302 which has the same bolt pattern as a lot of small blocks and 300 inline 6 if i remember right. I really appreciate all the info you guys have giving me.
thx denny
76 F100 3spd And a GUTLESS 302 ;-(
thx denny
76 F100 3spd And a GUTLESS 302 ;-(
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 2
From: Anchorage, Alaska
Back in the day (high school circa 1982) I put a close ratio toploader from my Dad's 65 Galaxie 500 that was parked in the weeds into my 70F100. I used the bellhousing, shifter and whole works. Had to shorten the driveshaft and move the xmember back a little. And use a long speedo cable.
It was awesome!! I had 3.50 rear gears, and didn't shift from 1st until nearly 60mph. RPM drop between gears was only a couple hundred. I built a 390 with a big Erson cam and 3x2's from a T bird. It was nearly unbeatable! I must have street raced in 500 times through college, and only got beat once, it was so close we lined up again and I got him the second time. It was a Trans Am with a built 455. My pickup made mid 15's in the quarter, spinning through the first two gears. That was pretty fast for a street ride, unlike now. Those cars that thought they were fast were really disgraced getting waxed by a big pickup!!
It was awesome!! I had 3.50 rear gears, and didn't shift from 1st until nearly 60mph. RPM drop between gears was only a couple hundred. I built a 390 with a big Erson cam and 3x2's from a T bird. It was nearly unbeatable! I must have street raced in 500 times through college, and only got beat once, it was so close we lined up again and I got him the second time. It was a Trans Am with a built 455. My pickup made mid 15's in the quarter, spinning through the first two gears. That was pretty fast for a street ride, unlike now. Those cars that thought they were fast were really disgraced getting waxed by a big pickup!!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,499
Likes: 2,811
Toploader info, also look under 'ID CHARTS', 'Imposters'/ Info and near new trans available, info on the OD 4 speeds, not as strong as the original, big gap 2nd to 3rd.
David Kee Toploader Transmissions, Inc.
Shifter location is a problem with the car trans. The OD has a top-shifted version, not as strong as the iron jobs.
More later, gotta go
David Kee Toploader Transmissions, Inc.
Shifter location is a problem with the car trans. The OD has a top-shifted version, not as strong as the iron jobs.
More later, gotta go