Hey folks, just wondering what you guys think about trans. swap or keepin it original.I just got the 67 from my father in law.I know its not going to be all stock when Im done but not sure if I want to keep the three on the tree or not.See, Im going to keep the running gear all 67. I guess! Everyone is telling me to swap the 30 for the 44,get the column shift out,disc brakes(now thats a must!),302.See, Im only going to go 3.5 inches and 33's,a trail with my family every now and again,Im not rock crawlin.So, Im thinking build the 289 that came in it,keep the 30 and do a DB conversion,3.5 lift,33's,clean body and paint.Just not sure about the tranny!!What do you guys think?

 

Hate to see a post unanswered. I'd keep the 3 speed, put new bushings in the shifter if needed as long as you like it. The Dana44 would be easier for disc brakes, you could just get one out of a 76-77 with them on it. Make sure to check gear ratio, most common is 3:50 gears which you probably already are running.

 

thanks, thats what I will do. I'll start my hunt.

 

Might check Wild Horse's on price for the disc setup for the Dana 30. It all depends on how much a 44 will run you. It's a beefier front end, but for what you plan on doing, your 30 should be fine. It's been working for 40 years.

 

yeah, I'll check out all the options that are available here locally. Junk yards etc. But your right ,Im not going to be rock crawling or anything extreme.Just a family project! Maybe a trail every now and then with my 4 yr and 9 yr old boys. The 30 will be fine, but the discs are a must for me.I think the kits will fit a 44 also if I ever upgrade later.
The three on the tree the same thing,should be fine with new bushings.Mine are gone so the column is stressed from people haveing to exagerate the shift pattern. Thanks,
Brents

 

I just ran across a site, while "surfing" (not because of this post) that has some info I have not ever seen and did not know, if true. Its a transmission parts supplier, so I suppose they know what they are talking about. Ole ND may know about this, but I sure never heard it before. I had heard the story that the early Pontiac GTO's used the ford 3.03 as their base transmission, supposedly there was a fire at the GM supplier plant, so they had to go with the Ford tranny.

Check this out and see what you think.

Tremec 3 Speed Manual Transmissions manual transmission part, rebuild kits and overhaul kits - Drivetrain.com

From reading this article, that tranny is used in a bunch of apps

 

yeah tremec is used in alot of stuff. Its the standerd in most hot rod builds. But if I change I atleast want a 4 speed.Thanks for the site I'll definitly use this.
brents

 

I have a 72 with the 3/column shift. Sure am thinking about converting to an AOD w/4R70W guts. I am trying to think of a linkage/cable setup, that would allow the Xfer case shifter to be moved out of the way. I no longer care about impressing anyone with my ability to shift gears Not that thats anyone elses motive!!

 

I've also thought aod! I just dont wont my wife driving the thing!lol!but I have seriously thought about that cause I want a nise comfortable rig.

 

I am not an auto guy... so I am of no help on them..... the trans really depends on how you intend to drive the truck.... if you are going to use 4lo offroad the 3.03 will work fine.... if you are going to do a lot of highway driving a 3.03 sucks.... and so will a c-4 c-6 or any other three speed auto because they all use close to the same three gear ratios.... Unless you have a very torquey powerful motor like a 351W, 347, or 408W where you can run around in 3..... you will not like the downshift at speeds from 3 to 2..... its at least a 1500 RPM jump.....

it also seems like you are not swapping out gears.... so I would try the thing with the 3.03 first once the suspension and tires are on it and see how you like it....

The 289 two barrel will be fine for trail riding.... you do not need a 302..... its like why bother...... that little extra stroke makes no difference IMHO... if you contemplate ever running a 351W then a 2" body lift is almost needed to run an appropriate air filter..... which might effect you lift decision.... or fiberglass cowl hood..... The nice thing about a 289 or 302 is that on trails its almost perfect because its not too much torque where axlewrap in a stock suspension becomes a problem.... on rocks its not much of an engine compared to a 351W or 347...

On the Dana 30.... if you are not planning to run a locker/posi there is no reason to step up to a 44..... an open 30 is strong as **** with the kingpin knuckles, which last twice as long as ball joints.... Dana 60 have kingpins..... Plus the broncos 44 is a little **** *** unit compared to the High pinion 44 HD units on F150 in the 70s..... its basically a 30 with ball joints and a 44 center....

I would run a locker in the rear and I am partial to the Eaton Tru-track. It is a pricey unit, and I know there is a difference of opinion here, but due to the fact its clutchless it will last way longer than a stock Trac-Lok unit... or most other clutch posi units, especially with the big tires.....

Here is another way to look at it..... what it the price of a dana44 all done up installed in your rig? How much is a winch and winch bumper?

I would do the suspension work, run the thing for a while, and then make some decisions on transmissions etc.....

 

I have to agree with Boba-------you will be grinning with what you have---running--- long before you can grin about all the stuff you have added. I wish I could learn that lesson (should have long ago) . I am sure that all the nylon bushing and grommets are available to firm up the slop in your linkage now. Unless you have a specific performance objective in mind, why not do what some of us wish we were smart enough to do, that is fix what you have. You can do more after its running. Except for OD, that 3.03 has the same High ratio all of them have, 1:1. I am going to try to remember my advice when I get into my 3 on-the-column I can remember the times I rode/drove mine when it was my brothers. I am afraid we all have a problem of trying to keep up with the next guy when what we have is satisfying. LOL

 

Yeah, for sure! I will take the advice and run with it! I dont plan on going all extreme 4x4 on it. I just want something simple but with a little "cool factor",and I think if I just tighten everything up I should do well for a while.
I'll go through and just replace what I need to to make what I have RIGHT and enjoy it!
Everything is here. I dont have to go hunting parts cause its still all original! None of the drive train has been touched. Your right guys, Thanks Allot!!!!!

 

Get rid of it.. The shifting gets sloppy and mine has even fallen from third back into neutral positio without shifting.

 

If the 67 is uncut which is unlikely it is really more of a candidate for a restoration. Worth much more that way. If it's already been changed a lot then just build it the way you want. For what you say you want to do with it the 30 will be fine. Personally I love the 3 on the tree. It's unique now days and would prolly slow down a lot of young thieves. You can adapt the hydro boost brakes out of an Astro van pretty easily from what they tell me which will help. I've never converted a 30 but I've done my 9 inch in back and it's easy so the 30 should be too. One word of advice tho, wheeling is very addictive and it won't be long before you want to run the 5 trails instead of the 2s. Been there done that.

 

Its only been cut, everything else is stock. But Ill go with everything that i got. Im doin the 4x4x2 steering box cause my manual box is toast.
Front discs,3.5 lift of some kind with shocks. Im not ordering a kit with no shocks! JBG has nice lifts but you got to spend a fortune to get one with shocks! but its all good it'll be great when I figure everything out!