Rug? Transmissions

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Nov 26, 2002 | 05:51 AM

tbob

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Rug? Transmissions

I recently pulled a 4 speed OD transmission out of a 1985 e-150 econoline with all the attendant hardware (pedal cluster, bell housing, hydraulic clutch, etc, etc.) As I like shifting, and I have a 88 e-150 with a 351/auto, with a worn out auto, I am going to put this setup in my econoline. However, I was wondering, will this transmission hold up behind the 351? I cant seem to find much info on this transmission setup in FTE. It appears that this transmission is an RUG. Thanks for your help.

Nov 27, 2002 | 08:27 AM

Opera House Works

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From: Cincinnati

Rug? Transmissions

Nov 27, 2002 | 10:36 PM

Njbmx

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From: purgitory

Rug? Transmissions

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Nov-02 AT 11:43 PM (EST)]the rug tranny is strong. the un-overdrive versions were used on mustangs and other ford and mercury cars in the 60's and 70's. only the overdrive versions were used on trucks. i dont know what gearing the one in your truck has but i've heard from a friend's '82 e-150 that it has a granny gear. i would think that the tranny would hold up to the torque of the 351, but i dont think the bellhousing would fit. also, i would rebuild the bearings in the trans before swaping the tranny just to make sure.
the 4sp. toploader is basicly the same design as the 3sp. tranny. i swapped the 3sp. from an '83 f-150 in place of a beat 3sp-od clark tranny. i converted it from the column to the floor using the hurst indy shifter kit. the convertion is a good idea, but you have to dial the linkage in perfectly or the shifter will get stuck.
pete

Nov 27, 2002 | 10:52 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

Rug? Transmissions

Is it a toploader? I have seen many of these blown apart. Mostly, the pocket bearing goes in them, and they sound like a diesel in any gear but third. And fourth is so high that you have to be doing 80+ just to get into it. If I was looking for an OD, I would get a 5 speed. If I wanted a four speed, I would go with an NP435 or T-18. Never an SROD. Personally, I'd just rebuild the auto with a full manual valve body.

Jared

Nov 28, 2002 | 07:55 AM

tbob

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Rug? Transmissions

Jared, yes, it is a toploader. I actually have 2 of these transmissions, as I pulled one from a parts 78 truck(with a 302) a couple of years ago. they definately are OD transmissions. As I use my econoline for more highway use, the OD is a really valuable feature. I also put together a 1967 F100 on a 1979 F1504WD frame with the np435/np205 combo, rebuilding both gear boxes and both axels, etc. Most people I speak to around here confuse the RUG trans with the NP435. As far as I know, the Rug is not equipped with a granny gear, the np435 is. also, the np435 ia about 3 times the size of the RUG. I could rebuild theC6, but I really hate autos. There seems to be very little info about the Rug, even in the archives. I really am wondering about its overall durability. I don't abuse my stuff, but I will put a lot of miles on. Thanks for your info. Tbob.

Nov 28, 2002 | 08:06 AM

tbob

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Rug? Transmissions

NBJMX, Thanks for your input. The bell housing will work, as I hace a 351 windsor, not a 351m, so I am ok. I found a website about RUG transmissions, but for some reason, it only covers up to 1973. As you said, the cars had this trans with a 4 speed hotrod kinda thing, but the trucks had the OD, which is what I want. Most of these trannys I have seen are in trucks with 300 sixes or 302's, nothing larger, although a post in the archives spoke of one behind a 400M. I also built a 1967 F100 on a 1979 4WD frame with a np435/np205 combo, and that works good, except it is a little busy at speed. It would be good to have the OD, if it would hold up. Thanks for your input. Tbob.

Nov 28, 2002 | 02:59 PM

gearman

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Rug? Transmissions

I have rebuilt several RUG transmissions. They are very reliable units & I wouldn't be afraid to put one behind a 351. One thing I notice that if You use O/D alot--change the lube more often. The O/D gear on the M/S will wear out alot sooner if the lube has broke down.