I have a 78 F150(3 spd with OD/rug tranny) tied to a 300 cid. I replaced the clutch about a year ago and i must have bumped the shifter linkages on the drivers side tranny. The shifter is a side mounted assembly. The three shifter ports on the side of the tranny are leaking oil. I was wondering if there are seals or O-rings seated into the tranny and if they can be changed externally or only internally?

 

Hey, Boomer, boy have I been looking for someone like you. But first in answer to your question there are o-rings on each of the shifter shafts but they have to be accessed thru the inside of the case. I have a 68 F100 with a 240 soon to be 300 and a NP435 tranny, and I have an RUG OD trans that I wanted to install instead of the NP435 and I was wondering how you like the ratios in the RUG on the street and on the freeway? What kind of mileage are you getting and what kind of rear gears are you running? Is yours floor shifted or column? Did you buy it like that or install it later. Any problems other than the leaking shafts? I hope you can help me out, your the only one that I have been able to find that has this transmission in their truck. Thanks again, Craig.

 

I think these RUG trannys r few and far between. I asked around, and only one tranny shop out of 20 even new what a RUG was! Ford told me that they have heard of the tranny,only once, twenty years ago! They also informed me that the tranny was German made, and that the parts were obsolete. I think you and I a driving on a wing and a prayer. One tranny specialist told me the trannys were garbage, but I've had 0 problems. The tranny is alright in town, 1st gear is really geared down, and second is good until about 45 kms, third gear is ok around town but i usually use second unless travelling over 50 kms. On the highway is where you get a full sized half-ton that burns a mide sized cars fuel. I travel about 55 miles per hour and the tach sits about 1350 rpms. i am usually in no hurry, so 55 siffices. The extra gear is were you win...... I always watch the fuel consumption. 26.7 miles per gallon is the best I've ever got. That is with a truck cap on at 55 miles per hour. The rear end is a 3.00. She is a florr shift with side shift linkages. Everthing is stock and I luv her. The o-rings are not leaking bad, but enough to bother me. I find that if you run the tranny 3/4 full of gear oil, she does not leak, only a sweat. If you fill her right up, a slow leak developes until the level drops down. All in all I recommend the tranny, however i drive her like a truck, never pulled anything. I think the tranny is fairly light and might give a guy a problem if pulling. Is it a car or truck? Looks like a truck but doesn't hurt the pocket book when fueling up. Please keep in touch, you and I are probably one in a million having the same RUG 3 SPD/OD.


Boomer Brad

 

Completely Stock 1978 Ford Ranger F150. 300 I6 3SPD/OD Standard. Boomers Pride and Joy.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=858&.jpg

 

Hi Boomer, You might want to take another look at your tranny, if it has a side cover its probably the Dagenham that was made in England but was used primarily in the Comets, Falcons and Mustangs in the 62 to 66 period. If it has a topcover then it is a Ford transmission made here. My tranny is marked Rug CL BJ18 and the tailshaft reads RF-D7DR-7A040-AA. If you have this kind of tranny J.C. Whitney carries a rebuild kit for about $110. I know that these kind of trannies where used in Ford trucks, Econoline vans and Grenadas from about 1978 if you should need parts but I don't know if all the gear clusters are interchangeable. I hope my tranny is the same as yours since I only get 10mpg on the freeway at 65mph and pulling 3200rpm with my NP435 tranny and 3.75 rear gears with 28in. tires. Thats why I am going to install the RUG. How is your acceleration from a standing start with the 3.00 rear end? And how does it take steep hills, do you use 2nd or 3rd.? By the way my truck has Clifford headers, water-heated manifold, Holley 390 carb and Pertronix ignition. Thanks for the reply and I hope to hear from you again. Craig.