Tranny swap
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Laveen
Tranny swap
I was looking at transmissions I have a T18 and yes I know they are just about indestructable but I drive at speeds of 80+ on the open road(yeah and I go to defensive drivers school about every two years) and the overdrive would be a good thing was looking at five speeds but then I got to wondering would the newer six speeds fit? I have an 84 F150 4x4 with a 300six in it. (And I still don't think my old Courier can go more than 100mph I don't care what sheriff Joe's finest claims, the speedo only goes up to 80, still I'm glad the officer didn't show up when I appealed the ticket.)
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Tranny swap
I do not know if a newer six speed will work but I believe there will be an issue with the speedometer. If the 6 is like the newer 5 speeds the speedometer sensor is in the rear end not the tranny itself. Something to think about. The older ZF's do have the speedometer connection in the tranny.
I changed my T18 to a ZF (2wd) and the RPM's dropped significantly. 80 MPH with the ZF is below 3000, 3:55 gears, stock tires. With the T18 it was just working too hard and loud to run 80 for any length of time. Now I can go all day at 80. If I could only get the aerodymnamics of the truck below those of a 4x8 sheet of plywood.
Mileage really is not a factor at 80 (see the aerodynamics issue) but up to about 65 the 5 speed does help mileage. Of course I would have to drive the truck about 900,000 miles to recoup the cost of the tranny.
I changed my T18 to a ZF (2wd) and the RPM's dropped significantly. 80 MPH with the ZF is below 3000, 3:55 gears, stock tires. With the T18 it was just working too hard and loud to run 80 for any length of time. Now I can go all day at 80. If I could only get the aerodymnamics of the truck below those of a 4x8 sheet of plywood.
Mileage really is not a factor at 80 (see the aerodynamics issue) but up to about 65 the 5 speed does help mileage. Of course I would have to drive the truck about 900,000 miles to recoup the cost of the tranny.
