Toploader Conversion...Anyone Have Pics??

[Mooosman]

Hi guys,

Just kicking ideas around in my head. Has anyone swapped a car Toploader into a bumpside with success? I'm just curious as to whats involved (what bell housing is needed, what shifter, driveshaft length, etc.)

I know a hole would need to be cut in the floor, but what else is needed? Can the stock cross member be used? Can the stock clutch linkage be used? Stock clutch fork? The truck has a 3 speed manual right now.

Thanks guys, any pictures of this swap would be appreciated, I'm not having a lot of luck finding any pictures.

Nick

[390Nut]

You'll need a bellhousing off of a car, as they are shorter than the truck bell by about 5/8's of an inch (not 100% sure but it's close to that)

The alternative is to have a custom pilot bushing made, as the input shaft on the car toploader is shorter than the one on the truck trannys (3 or 4 speed, either one).

As for the rest, you'll likely need the clutch adjuster rod of the car, and the proper clutch fork to match the bellhousing style (wire clip or spring clip). Can't help you with the crossmember, hopefully someone here knows ALL the details already.

[gmcjimmy88]

This is something I am interested in also. I am wanting to get rid of my 3 speed.

[lightning_msd]

i would say just find an old fairlane or torino, galaxie, etc.... and pull the engine along with the trans. most toploaders had an FE standing in front.

[Mooosman]

Did they make more than 1 tailshaft length for the cars? I know they made a close ratio and a wide ratio, but did they also have different shifter pads and mounting types?

Nick

[390Nut]

No clue here, but the one place I know where you WOULD get that info for sure, and probably quite quickly, is the FE forum: fordfe.com

TONS of knowledge there, 95% is performance oriented, and all dedicated (well most, anyways ) to the FE.

[FORDification]

Read this thread:

http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14140

[390Nut]

I knew I was off on the measurement, just wasn't sure how much.

[67highboy]

They actually did put a top-loader "like" trans in the dentsides,
Maybe those pieces like D/shaft and cross member would work.

The transes they used were the O.D. top loader.
they actually flipped the small shift lever over on the 3-4 shift shaft so 3rd was actually 4th and vice versa.
They used the 1 to 1 ratio that was fourth for third and then put a big overdrive gear-set in the place of third viola... an od top-loader

so most F100-150 Dentsides with a smallblock and a three speed w/OD will have one of these transes in it.

You can ID them easily, they look like a pregnant top-loader because ford had to blow up the case to clear the big OD gear-set in the third spot.

I don't know... just a thought...