I've got a 390 lightly equipped with performance add-ons with a C6 behind it on a 1975 F-150.

What's the best 4+ speed automatic transmission to replace my C6 with?

Thanks.

 

best as in durability or easy to install cuz i know the e4od is a pretty tough and easy to install i just dont know if they have a 390 bellhousing bolt pattern

 

I guess I am curious about both aspects. I guess "the best" would also include the easiest to install and the most durable while still keeping in mind the fact that I have a 1975 F-150 and I am, as you might have guessed, I am not the most knowledgeable about this topic.

 

Not sure about an E4OD adaptor. That would also require a $500 controller for the "E".

You can get an adaptor for a Ford AOD or GM 700r. The AOD is a weak sister, and beefed up units go for over $2000 on the second link below. For the adaptors, scroll down just over halfway on this link. $850-875.

AOD Transmission from PATC, AOD Transmissions

TCI - Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70W

You can get a lower first and second gear for the C6, and run a taller axle.

Or $3k gets you this:

Gear Vendors under/overdrive transmissions the most awarded auxiliary transmissions.

 

Thanks,

I researched the gear vendors option before- man they are expensive. A rebuild and one of those guys would set me back about $3300. I guess that would be a good price to pay for a rock solid set up.

So, if a rebuild is in my future what sort of ratios do ya'll think would best. I don't want much, I will occasionally tow and very rarely street race. This is going to be a general work truck.

Any advice or a point in the right direction is appreciated. As I have said, I am pretty ignorant in this area.

 

If you feel that you need an overdrive transmission then you have limited options.
A few companies make an adapter to use the small block ford trans on the FE engine. This is a reasonable option, but consider that most Ford overdrive automatics were not all that great in stock form. Sure there are excpetions to the rule, but even the guy with 160K miles on his AOD, E40D, or even 4R100R will tell you that it might have been a fluke. You just dont see them working out without some costly modifications.

Alright, so I pulled the pin out of the grenade. Im sure Ill catch some heat for the above statment, but not as much as I am about to..............

If you bleed blue, and are a true die hard blue oval fan, do not read any further.

More and more common is the use of the 4L80E transmission and a stand alone controller. In case you dont recognize the 4L80E is a late model GM trans.
Dare I suggest the use of a GM trans in one of our beloved Blue oval trucks. Heak yeah.
These transmissions are tough as nails and are a dime a dozen. These can offer many advantages over other transmissions and dollar for dollar probably one of the best trnsmissions out there.

I am an avid ford fan, however I am also about reliability and spending my money on the best fashion posible. I see guys spending a ton of dough on ford autos to achieve overdrive, and end up with empty pockets and some disapointment.

Next idea, is to consider whether or not the overdrive is more of a want or a need?
Do you require an overdrive? Do you or will you drive enough to justify the expense of this swap?
Many dont spend enough time in the truck to justify or even realize the cost of the investment.
Saving enough gas in an old truck may take years, I mean years to see enough of a savings to justify the initial investment, and that is assuming that everything goes right.

Here is a link for an adapter that will accomodate both the small block ford pattern and guess what????? The chebby pattern too.

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/ford_fe.htm

Should you decide to go this route, you have the option. IN the event that the ford OD trans does not work out, you still have the other option in your bag of tricks, so you dont have to buy another adapter.

I have put many Ford trucks together with the GM trans, and would not hesitate to do it again. The "E" series transmissions from GM are tough to beat and the aftermarket seems to support them very well. This keeps the cost of installation real cheap compared to other options.

Sorry to ruffle some blue oval feathers, but this is a reasonable option.

 

That's pretty interesting.

Just doing a quick search I can find them for around $800.

Being that my truck is a 1975, is the "E" going to be a problem? If so, will this be a costly fix?

 

Stand alone controllers for any electronic transmission will be required, but search for them and see that the GM units are super cheap and can be found everywhere.
See the GM trans uses a speed sensor in the tailshaft so this makes it rather easy.
Street rodders, off road vehicles, as well as many other areas are using these "e"transmissions.
You can go to a 700 or 200 R4 trans with a cable, but you are back to square one and the ford trans might be simply easier. These are not quite as reliable out of the box.

 

It would be best to stay with your c6 the overdrives cost quite a bit to install and all of the adapters and not to mention the controller would knock a hole in your pocket as stated earlier. But if you were to find a donor truck with an aod or e40d cheap you would save alot of cash. And as changing your drivetrain to a gm if you go to sell the truck it gives the next owner a headache trying to find parts for it.

 

Just wondering your truck is a 2wd ?

 

Sorry, for the long reply, life got in the way. It's a 2wd. I am still looking for a transmission to marry to my 390.

 

If you didn't find the answer in the previous posts, you will be looking a looonnnggg time.....

 

Can ya'll help me identify this transmission, I am thinking about purchasing it and rebuilding it for use in my truck.
The numbers inside the casing:
C6AP
7A105A
L-3
181
and on the side:
D4TP-7006-A1