Ford top loader on GM truck??

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Christian Nelson

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I know, I know.. Blasphemy!!

But, has anyone ever used an old Ford toploader 4 speed on a chevy truck before?

The 4 speed is supposedly very durable, and has a lot of gearing options, and you aren't stuck with granny gear like sm465..

Ford even put them in 4x4, with Dana transfer cases, so really the only major mod would be bell housing, right?

My thoughts would be it might be abit easier than NV4500 swap.. There's even an OD version..

Anyone try this?
 

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I'm just in to see where this goes. Sounds interesting.
 

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Didn't ford use a driver's side drop on their t- cases? If so, not only would you have a ford tranny but a front axle as well, then you have to make sure the spring perches were the correct distance.
 

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I believe you would just have to clock the transfer case to the other side. Depending on the transfer case style on the ford and what the output side flange looks like
 

nvrenuf

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You can't just clock the case upside down, what would you do about the shift linkage and breather fitting being on the bottom?

@Christian Nelson what 4 spd? Ford used an sm435 but it had a granny gear and it's about half the size of a 465.
 

PrairieDrifter

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You can't just clock the case upside down, what would you do about the shift linkage and breather fitting being on the bottom?

@Christian Nelson what 4 spd? Ford used an sm435 but it had a granny gear and it's about half the size of a 465.
In reference to the transmission. If it’s possible to get an adapter to the go from the ford trans to the chevy transfer case which I believe is what is wanted. I guess in a sense it would be clocked compared to the factory ford setup.

Otherwise it’s just blasphemy throwing a full ford trans and transfer case along with a front axle
 

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The Ford top loader is not a granny gear tranny. It is a true 4 speed. There's a ton of variations, and gearings available, and a whole crapton of after market mods as well. There's OD models, and wide ration 4 speeds, and close ratio options available.

It's called Top loader because you can open a plate on the top, and take all of the gears and everything out as a unit.

Lots o enthusiasts love it.

Ford did make a few models with a divorced transfer case setup (basically an extended tail shaft adapter for the transfer cases) and I was just curious to see if there were any examples of People using that tranny on a 4x4.

Lots of GM guys have used them in 2wd hot rods, tons of them in fact, since the tranny is a very sought after unit.

Top loader is a specific model of 4 speed.

I just cannot understand why GM only ever made their 4 speed as a granny gear 3 speed.

Why not have a true 4 speed? I also cannot understand why there hasn't opened up a market to change out the gears on and SM465 so a person coul have a usable 4 speed.

I thought to myself that the Ford toploader would be an option, being that in the 70's both Ford and GM used same transfer cases and axles for a lot of their trucks..
 

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The Ford top loader is not a granny gear tranny. It is a true 4 speed. There's a ton of variations, and gearings available, and a whole crapton of after market mods as well. There's OD models, and wide ration 4 speeds, and close ratio options available.

It's called Top loader because you can open a plate on the top, and take all of the gears and everything out as a unit.

Lots o enthusiasts love it.

Ford did make a few models with a divorced transfer case setup (basically an extended tail shaft adapter for the transfer cases) and I was just curious to see if there were any examples of People using that tranny on a 4x4.

Lots of GM guys have used them in 2wd hot rods, tons of them in fact, since the tranny is a very sought after unit.

Top loader is a specific model of 4 speed.

I just cannot understand why GM only ever made their 4 speed as a granny gear 3 speed.

Why not have a true 4 speed? I also cannot understand why there hasn't opened up a market to change out the gears on and SM465 so a person coul have a usable 4 speed.

I thought to myself that the Ford toploader would be an option, being that in the 70's both Ford and GM used same transfer cases and axles for a lot of their trucks..

Sounds like a cool setup with all the options available. If it can be adapted in go for it.

I think Chevy had the granny-low trannies because the trucks were meant to be worked, and they needed that granny gear. That divorced transfer case on the Ford's was a crawling SOB, granny low and 4-Lo and you could walk faster than the truck can idle along in gear. Great for wheeling for sure.

When my daughter was young and wanted to play in Mean Green (1965 3/4 Ton Chevy Fleetside) I'd have to take out the keys so she couldn't start the truck and take off. I didn't have an E-brake so I would put it 1st gear (granny low) because it was a long throw to engage the gear and it nearly hit the dash. Even with 3.54 rear end gears it would start in 1st gear and idle along at maybe 2mph.
 

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Would you use it for a 2wd or 4wd? Either way I'd be surprised if it survived long with real power under the weight of a truck.
 

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