auto to 5 speed?

[deuceofhearts]

i am rather new at all this and haven't ever worked on a bumpside so bear with me. i have been looking over a few of the trucks and have not found the 4 speed on the floor to be a very popular option in the surviving long bed trucks. i am wondering if there is a way to swap in a 5 speed with od or perhaps even a 6 speed, which i would prefer, without immense complications. i saw one article for swapping in a 5 speed out of an 88 f150 but he was using the motor out of a 86? mustang. is there a lot of fabrication, welding and cutting involved? problems from tranny to rear axle? does the year matter? if so i am mainly looking at 67-69. any advice would be much appreciated.

[averagef250]

Most of these trucks have FE engines, 360's and 390's. These engines are costly to adapt a 5 speed to since nothing bolts right up.

If you get a truck with a straight six, small block or 429/460 there are common Ford 5 speeds that bolt up.

There aren't any 6 speeds that bolt up to any of these engines unless you buy an aftermarket car transmission.

[deuceofhearts]

were any bumpsides stock with an inline six or the 429 or 460? which trim and duty packages were they available with? is the 300-6 the inline 6 or is it something else? are the after market 6 speed terribly expensive? i know that is a lot of questions but i am learning...sorry.

(edit) i found a forum that explained, kinda, what fe meant.

[averagef250]

These trucks were available with the 240 or 300 six, 302 in later years and the 360 or 390. Most trucks have either a six or 360.

The 429 or 460 fit and are a popular swap so it isn't uncommon to find one in a bumpside.

A used truck 5 speed can be had for less than $500. An aftermarket 6 speed will range from $2500- $6000 plus you'll need special parts to adapt one.

I would suggest finding a truck and driving it first. You really don't need any more than 3 gears to drive one comfortably. Much depends on what engine and gears the truck has and what you use it for. Newer trucks have overdrive transmissions because the engines are fuel injected and will cruise efficiently at lower engine speeds. An old carburated V8 doesn't like to cruise on the freeway at less than 1800 or so. They will work, but the engine isn't very efficient and you really won't see any benefit to the overdrive. With a carb, I'd just be content spinning the engine 2500 or so at 6500 and save the overdrive money for gas in the tank.

The best way to improve the driveability of one of these old trucks is to update both the engine and transmission with something from a newer car or truck. Fuel injected engines are a worthwhile swap and are designed to work with the overdrive transmissions.

[FORDification]

Up on top of this page are links to the VIN Data pages for the bumpside trucks. On each page there is a list of the available engines, transmissions and trim for each respective year.

No, the 460 was not available in a bumpside truck, but since they were in the dentside-era trucks, and since the front frame section on those is identical to ours, a 460 is a bolt-in using factory mounts.

[deuceofhearts]

is the 300 the straight inline 6? how common were they? i know the inline 6 pretty well and could figure out how to work on it, but have never touched any of the other engines.

[averagef250]

Yep, 300 inline 6. They are really common. The 300 is one of if not the best gas engine ever built by many accounts.

[sargentrs]

Yep, 300 inline 6. They are really common. The 300 is one of if not the best gas engine ever built by many accounts.

I agree. I had an '85 F150 with a 300 I6 and, even with over 200K miles on it, was one the most reliable, tough and hardworking engines I've ever had. And with the FSPP (Ford Six Perf. Parts) parts available, can be hopped up pretty impressive.

[MadMaxetc]

If you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Ford 6's...got to www.Fordsix.com

They have a forum there that is deadicated to them. I am over these under this same name.

I have a sweet 300 with a T-5 from a mustang in my 67...check out my website.

Oh...welcome to the board! Don't be afraid to ask questions...and don't get mad if we send you to a past post...we are just lazy typest. (who most of the time don't use speel chek. )

[deuceofhearts]

thanks guys, i will get to my research.