I have a '80 F100 with a 351w (originally had a 302) with a 3.03 3speed. I want to upgrade to a 4 speed. What I am looking for is a 4 speed that is strong enough for 351 and can take a hurst shifter. I have a manual clutch and would prefer not to change to a hydraulic clutch if possible. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

You want a car-type hi-po trans, like a drag or road racer?

Ford toploader:

http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/remanufactured.htm

http://www.5speeds.com/toploader.html

These are:

--expensive from above sources

--picked over in the yards

--worked hard in their early lives

--harder and harder to find

They have a 2.78 first, and unless you are running 3.91 + gearing, and never cruise the freeways, you are going to find the gearing not great for truck, imo.

Hurst shifter? Maybe. Kees sells shifters and makes a top-shift for this box also.

BW T10 may be thrown out as an idea--forget it unless you buy a new one. The old ones are hard to find parts for, are picked over times 2 in the yards, were worked hard,, hard to find....

BW T18, T19 and NP435: Light truck transmissions, wide ratios, top shift, yards-long throws, slow to shift, not fast shifters, but quite strong.

Ford 4 speed OD: Weak, poor 2nd to 3rd ratio, go easy on OD, and this is the iron case job. The SROD and top-shifted units are aluminum cased and weaker yet.

The toploader may bolt directly to your bell--or not. There are two bell depths, trucks being deeper. You may have to install a car bell to accomodate the toploader. Check input shaft length. You can retain your mechanical clutch with most car bells.

Note Kees sells a top loader with a Gear Vendor OD attached, just $4595... $4695 with aluminum case....

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize it would be that difficult or expensive to find a 4 speed. Keeping the 3 speed is sounding better and better for what little I drive it.

 

The only other thing I can think of that is "cheap" is an AOD from a V8 car or V8/6 truck from '88 to '93. They can be beefed a bit, and those years were the "sorted out" years for the trans.

If you go 5 speed manual, you run into the same cost issues as you have to get a TKO or at least one from a Cobra Mustang, and an adaptor, and relocate the shifter.... It's just so complicated....