Comparison between floor shift transmissions for Bumpsides.

[robroy]

Good day,

I'd like to objectify the comparison between the different floor shift transmission options for 2WD, FE Bumpside trucks. This is to help me choose which one to install in #50, and I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on every aspect of the comparison.

To start, I've made a chart comparing the ratios of all the options that I'm aware of. I'm limiting the list of options to those that I might actually choose, and this is based upon my understanding of which transmissions are installed in Bumpsides most feasibly. Please let me know if you're aware of other transmission that I should include in the comparison!

My sources are color coded with a legend at the bottom. In the near future I plan on adding charts comparing implementation price and other technical details, like gear and synch' types. GV == Gear Vendors, by the way.

1. What other transmissions should be added to this comparison?
2. What other specs or characteristics would you like to see compared?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[robroy]

You'll want to click on the images to see them in full size so they're most readable, although I can already see that I'll need to work on the graph to make it easier to read. Thanks! -Robroy

[willowbilly3]

What? No T85N? Or how about those 4 speed top shift aluminum tranny with the 4th overdrive? SROD? Or the toploader fake with 3+OD?

[robroy]

Hey WillowBilly3! Thanks for your reply. I'm certainly no authority on what transmission options are available. Are the transmission options you mentioned all feasible for installation in Bumpsides (meaning, they can be installed without significant custom fabrication)?

And do you happen to have any links to good technical resources on them?

Thanks again WillowBilly3!
-Robroy

[robroy]

Based on what I read from Dustin on what it takes to get a NV4500 to work in a Bumpside (crossmember, driveshaft, clutch, and custom bushing work), I'm disqualifying that transmission from my choices.

And I'll toss out the Gear Vendors idea based on significant doubt on its longevity (also advice from Dustin), and based on its price. The combo of a rebuilt T18 and the Gear Vendors would come to $4,000, which is more than I want to spend, especially if it won't give me an ideal outcome.

The NP435 seems very similar to the T18, so I don't see any point going from a T18 to a NP435.

So that leaves just three options! T18-1E, T19A, or ZF 5 Speed.

Out of those three, it looks like the gearing is almost the same between the T18-1E and the ZF; they both seem to be wide ratio transmissions. And although I haven't found a good guide for adapting a ZF in to a Bumpside, my imagination tells me that it's a significant additional effort when compared to the T19A.

Does anybody have comments on the comparison between the T18-1E, T19A, and ZF? Which one would you choose for my truck (8,100GVW 2WD F250, 436HP 390 with power starting at 2,000RPM and redlines at 6,000RPM, Dana 60 3.73 rear, standard wheels/tires)? My application will be horsing around on the street with minimal off roading.

Thanks for the great advice!
-Robroy

[robroy]

Since I've narrowed my search down quite a bit I opened a new thread just for the final candidates. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =4&t=39562

Thanks!
-Robroy