Transmission

[69shortbed]

Hi Guys, John in SATX. This is my first post. I'm not afraid to turn a wrench, but I'm very much a novice mechanic. Have major rebuilding project for my '69 Ford Ranger 390 V8 Styleside. One of the things I "loved" about my 69 Ranger, (390 V8) was the automatic 4 speed overdrive, where it automatically shifted into 4th. Blew the trans about a year ago....have searched all over but can't find a replacement and local trans shops unable to rebuild. Thought someone out there might know of something or someone who can rebuild. it will need a new solenoid for engaging the automatic shift into 4th if I can even find the 2nd and third gears.. I do not want an automatic...as an alternative, I am considering a TREMEC 5 on the floor, but heard there might be bell-housing problems... I have questions many questions about brakes, suspension, running gear, rear end ratios, front end suspension...since this will be a ground-up restoration with all the modern updated FORD and FORD RACING technologies, it will take quite a bit of thought and planning. Will eventually rebuild frame, convert to a shortbed and do a ground-up restoration with updated running chasis, rack and pinion steering and complete rebuild of the 390 that's got 120K on the clock....it's a great engine...No lift kits or giant tires, no major rake in the front....I want this to look as original as it possibly can but I'd like it to Kick Ass with power, tight, race car suspension and incomparable braking and handling. New paint will be one of the standard colors of '69...perhaps two-tone green and white....that's the current color. More later. Any thoughts appreciated. (Those of you who may be interested in shortbed conversions, might one to take a look at the You Tube series featuring Stacey David and the ingenious way he cut and shortened the frame of (dare I say it) a Chevy truck. Nonetheless, it's an interesting process.
Here's the You Tube link for episode 3-1, followed by episode 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zy08qsahk

Thanks.....John/SATX

[HIO Silver]

Contact Bruce or Paul at Modern Driveline. They set me up with a short-shaft Tremec TKO-500. The short shaft allows the use of a stock FE bell so ya don't need to buy a $600 QT bell.

Pics of the installation in my 70 is in my build thread.

[Canonman67]

Another alternative to the tremec is the NV 4500, no special bellhousing, stock linkage BUT it is a truck transmission with a 5. something first gear. You can use the Dodge or Chevy version as long as you use the 2nd generation Chevy and change the input shaft to the Dodge type.