Hey all.. Im new to the forum. Just have a quick question. Down the line i am going to convert my 2wd 1986 f150 351W to 4wd. I am wondering if i can keep the TTB or should i put in a soild axel in the front? Which would be easier/better?

I know i need a 4wd Tranny, Transfer case, axels, and possibly a new rear end. Just thinking of gathering up the parts little by little to be able to have everything i need once the time comes that i can take her off the road to do some work on her. Or is it best to buy a complete doner for a few hundred and do a body swap?

Also a second question that just came to me. (Since i need a 4wd tranny to do the conversion. ) The AOD i have in it now is pooched. The PO told me it shifted into 3rd gear at around 80kmh which is way to fast for second gear to begin with (the AOD is supposed to shift into OD at aprox. 72 kmph). but when i drove it home the first night it didnt shift at all. I tried adjusting the kick down lever, replaced the pan gasket since it was leaking and when i did there was next to no fluid in it and the fluid that was in it was black. I replaced the filter and the gasket, filled it with new fluid and still no third. I believe the 3rd gear clutch is burnt.

I know nothing of the inner workings of an auto tranny. but i am somewhat mechanically inclined. Is it hard to rebuild one? my options are rebuild myself... get a shop to do it for 1600 bucks... or get a tranny from the junkers for 350 bucks and swap it out in the driveway.

And i know im throwin a ton of questions out there but Can i just replace the 2wd tranny with a 4wd tranny without doing a full 4wd conversion? I am trying to not spend money on a 2wd tranny when i know in a a year or so i am going to be doing the 4wd conversion anyway.. but i need to drive her daily until then.

thanks for any help in advance. it is much appreciated,

Chris

 

easiest bet would be 73-79 f150 or bronco front end and a divorced transfer case

 

So if i go with a Divorced transfer case would i still need a 4wd tranny since it is not attatched to the transmission directly? (I am just new to working on trucks. I have done work on small engines and machinery before but never vehicles)

And would i be able to run just rear wheel drive if i have to get aa 4wd tranny? this is more the important question. I know if you have no yoke in i will lose all the fluid. so would that be a straight no? or is there a way around it.

Chris

 

you would be able to keep your current tranny just have to get drive shafts made

 

Find a donor truck and swap everything out.

That's the easiest and cheapest way to do it. You are only asking for trouble and lots of extra money if you use a divorced case.

 

OK cool so ill hit the junkers in a few weeks for a 2wd tranny then to hold me over till i can find a cheap suitable doner in the future.

 

Find a 4WD tranny, transfer case and rear drive shaft and put it in. You can always add the front axle and drive shaft later.

There is no sense in putting another 2WD tranny in and then ripping it back out.

Just run the transfer case in 2WD.

 

Thats the answer i was hopeing to hear. Much appreciated Stosh, I have read thru your thread on ur flareside.. awesome looking truck. you seem to have the best junk yards around considering the quality of the parts your pulling out.

Hopefully i can come up with a 4wd tranny and t case from my local wreckes for my truck..

as for transmissions.. What years will be compatible with my 86 351w so i have a more broad search than just 86`s

 

80-96/97 will work.

It depends if you want a 4 speed or a 5 speed.

Most 80/86 came with either a T18, T19 or NP435 which are 4 speed. Later models came with either the M5OD (cheap) or ZF (expensive) 5 speed.

 

It depends on what you expect from the tranny. If you want a rock solid dependable automatic, then look for a 80 thru 85ish 4x4 with a 300, 302, or 351w, and a c6. All these engines have the same pattern as your 351w and will bolt up. Just double check the flywheel(flexplate). I know the 300 flexplate will not work.

The c6 is very reliable and strong, and cheap to rebuild. It's only drawback is no overdrive or lock-up convertor, so it will suck a little bit more gas than a later model tranny.

You can find AOD's that are 4x4, or if you want a stronger tranny, you can use a E4OD, but it will require a computer to run it(they make them, they are about $500).

If you are up to changing out the brake pedal assembly and adding a clutch master cylinder, you can go with a manual tranny/transfer case also.

Here are some places in Ontario that have c6's for sale.

1983
Transmission
Ford Truck 150 W-TRQ AND 412, 5.0L 462.96
--Can--
$500.00 Union Auto Parts Can-ON(Nepean) E-mail 1-800-263-3595
1981
Transmission
Ford Bronco Full Size 8-302 (5.0L)-NO EXTENSION CASE BROKEPRI CH0008 $450 Team J.M.W. (Listowel) Can-ON(Listowel) Request_Quote 1-888-677-7127 1-519-291-1464 Request_Insurance_Quote
1993
Transmission
Ford Truck 150 OK 121.000KLMS 75,141
--km--
121,000 A LNJ 416.67
--Can--
$450.00 Autoland of Delhi LTD Can-ON(Simcoe) E-mail 1-519-582-2840
1985
Transmission
Ford Truck F250 070054 370.37
--Can--
$400.00 Cindy Lou's Auto Rekker Can-ON(Timmins) E-mail 1-705-268-7999

 

Ok so the t18-t19 and the np435 are manual transmissions (which i would LOVE to put in a manual tranny..ive been driving manual in all my vehicles up until this truck) is it hard to install a clutch assembly. I mean ill have like a weekend or so to install everything.or im getting rides for a week while i convert it to a manual transmission. ( and im not a licenced mechanic lol. im a machinist-welder) i really would like a manual but i think it will be such a hassle to switch from an auto to a manual trans.

or is there anyone in the southern Ontario area that would be willing to give me a hand once i get everything ready. lol

Chris

 

check the Ontario chapter,there is probably someone there that might be able to give you a hand.

 

Sorry, I totally missed that you have an auto.

 

OK, So my step dad told me I may need to adjust my timing on the truck to adapt it to the tranny.. If i go with the same transmission the is in it now (the AOD) Will it or will it not be just a bolt in replacement.

I thought it was as easy as just undoing the linkages, unbolt the trans, unbolt the torque converter,unbolt the trans crossmember, remove the yoke, drop the tranny, jack the new,used transmission in place and repete the previous steps in reverse order. and fill with fluid.

 

80 to 96 f 150's this is a bolt in swap. Try to find a donor truck to get everything.
If you check search, there used to be several writeups ,including one I did on this swap.