Looking for a cheap and easy trans swap for my 1975 f250 with a bb 460
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Looking for a cheap and easy trans swap for my 1975 f250 with a bb 460
I have a c6 auto for my truck and I want another better auto to try and increase my fuel mileage and towing capacity i would like to get a trans with more gears and would hopefully bolt on or be able to buy an adapter for it
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,915
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
What MPG you getting now?
460's are not known for getting good MPG.
What rear gear does the truck have and what do you use the truck for mostly?
I know over in the 80-86 side guys talk of EAOD being good if want an auto. Don't know what all is needed to make that happen as I never gone that deep into posts?
The other is a ZF 5sp stick but there is a lot of work to get on to mate up to a 460. It has hyd clutch setup you would need to deal with. And I read most need a rebuild before you can use them if used.
Or you could get a Gear Vender over drive unit that bolts onto the rear of the C6 auto. A shorter drive shaft is needed as is for the above swaps.
Dave ----
460's are not known for getting good MPG.
What rear gear does the truck have and what do you use the truck for mostly?
I know over in the 80-86 side guys talk of EAOD being good if want an auto. Don't know what all is needed to make that happen as I never gone that deep into posts?
The other is a ZF 5sp stick but there is a lot of work to get on to mate up to a 460. It has hyd clutch setup you would need to deal with. And I read most need a rebuild before you can use them if used.
Or you could get a Gear Vender over drive unit that bolts onto the rear of the C6 auto. A shorter drive shaft is needed as is for the above swaps.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
What MPG you getting now?
460's are not known for getting good MPG.
What rear gear does the truck have and what do you use the truck for mostly?
I know over in the 80-86 side guys talk of EAOD being good if want an auto. Don't know what all is needed to make that happen as I never gone that deep into posts?
The other is a ZF 5sp stick but there is a lot of work to get on to mate up to a 460. It has hyd clutch setup you would need to deal with. And I read most need a rebuild before you can use them if used.
Or you could get a Gear Vender over drive unit that bolts onto the rear of the C6 auto. A shorter drive shaft is needed as is for the above swaps.
Dave ----
460's are not known for getting good MPG.
What rear gear does the truck have and what do you use the truck for mostly?
I know over in the 80-86 side guys talk of EAOD being good if want an auto. Don't know what all is needed to make that happen as I never gone that deep into posts?
The other is a ZF 5sp stick but there is a lot of work to get on to mate up to a 460. It has hyd clutch setup you would need to deal with. And I read most need a rebuild before you can use them if used.
Or you could get a Gear Vender over drive unit that bolts onto the rear of the C6 auto. A shorter drive shaft is needed as is for the above swaps.
Dave ----
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 594
I fear $500 won't even cover the incidentals you'll have to buy in order to fit a different transmission. I doubt you could do it for twice that, even if you found a free transmission.
For a 2wd C6, I'd think about a Gear Vendor's overdrive. They're not cheap either, but you won't have to replace the transmission. I think your only additional cost will be having your driveshaft shortened, or a new one made.
For a 2wd C6, I'd think about a Gear Vendor's overdrive. They're not cheap either, but you won't have to replace the transmission. I think your only additional cost will be having your driveshaft shortened, or a new one made.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,029
Likes: 891
From: East Central Ia
You might get a couple of mpg on the highway you may have to take it out of OD depending on load or hill's and be right back where your are with C6. Not trying to be a downer and I have had a 460 with the auto OD. Good towing mpg is not in gasser area. Just put the swap money in the fuel tank and be happy.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
You're kidding, right? There is no way, NONE that you can swap in another trans for 500 bucks.The E4OD would be a good choice, but it will likely need an overhaul, that's 1000-1500 bucks right there.
Then there's all the bits and pieces required to install it, including a driveshaft. Add another 500+ bucks.
460's weren't available w/a M/T until 1983 and then in F250/350's only. Thru 1997, F250/350's have a hydraulic clutch.
These trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick, the only way to increase highway MPG is to drive slower. No matter what you do, the city MPG will remain the same.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 5
From: Burlington, WI
I'm with numberdummy. Did you by chance leave the end zeros off your figures? Because if so, then you could likely make it happen. If not, then keep saving. 10mpg is all you'll get. You've got a big block in a 4500lb rolling brick.
The AOD and EAOD are good choices, but not at all budget friendly.
The AOD and EAOD are good choices, but not at all budget friendly.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 229
Likes: 4
I think it “could” be done cheaply. Get a used AOD or E4OD (or whatever, I’ve never been good with those #’s), including driveshaft and all associated parts, from a 94-97 F250. Without rebuilding anything and finding an inexpensive donor truck it could work. But, like people have said, the best mpg w/ a 460 I’ve ever heard of is 11-12 unloaded.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 710
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
You can get external OD kits for a C6, but I believe you then have to get a new driveshaft (shorter one), OD kits are like $1500 on their own though just to start with.
I have a '79 with a 460 and C6 trans, I tested my highway MPG this last weekend with a camping trip. Pretty much 9.9 MPG on an 85 mile trip, averaging 60 miles per hour.
Still probably cheaper (for now) in the long run than buying a new $40,000 truck that gets 25MPG. End up paying a lot more just for insurance, truck payments, etc,..can just buy gas with that money. I guess only drawback is I'm contributing to ruining the environment, and also, less MPG means more fillups per drive, which can get annoying having to stop
I have a '79 with a 460 and C6 trans, I tested my highway MPG this last weekend with a camping trip. Pretty much 9.9 MPG on an 85 mile trip, averaging 60 miles per hour.
Still probably cheaper (for now) in the long run than buying a new $40,000 truck that gets 25MPG. End up paying a lot more just for insurance, truck payments, etc,..can just buy gas with that money. I guess only drawback is I'm contributing to ruining the environment, and also, less MPG means more fillups per drive, which can get annoying having to stop
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 765
Likes: 13
From: Edmond, OK
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
For towing capability, the C6 with appropriate rear gear is very good. Maybe none better for your setup in an auto transmission. .An OD transmission may help fuel economy a bit running light. Also helps the ears with lower RPM cruising.
Agree OD can be a very expensive swap and not likely to pay back in fuel economy alone.
Also, I think 10 MPG with a 460 in a Dent is pretty darn good. Others run 6-8 MPG.
Agree OD can be a very expensive swap and not likely to pay back in fuel economy alone.
Also, I think 10 MPG with a 460 in a Dent is pretty darn good. Others run 6-8 MPG.