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  •  » AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

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    8/01/2025 12:29 AM  #1

    JeffK
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    From: San Jose, CA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 124

    AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    I saw at least 6 different ones on eBay, and they don't all look the same. Anyone have any opinion on which is better?  Clearly one probably has the best clearance for the exhaust system.

    I am working on a 5.0 / AOD swap, running either hipo exhaust (current setup) or jba shorties (maybe). And 2.25 dusl pipes (already installed) with h-pipe.

    Planning borgenson steering but don't think that matters at this time.

    65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (through bumper hitch)
     

    8/01/2025 7:42 AM  #2

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,939

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    I made my own, Jeff, but that may not be something you want to do.  So, pick one from a reputable outfit and go with it .  All it has to do is move the trans mount to the rear couple of inches so it's not a major piece of engineering.  I would suggest that you make sure whatever you get has provisions for the E-brake.

    Also, you will need to build a new H-pipe or head pipes to get around the AOD...it's quite a bit wider than the C4.  I also run the HIPO manifolds and think that's a great way to go for a "street" car. 
    Don't know what you plan to do for a shifter but you can use the stock C4 unit with a couple of simple (more or less) mods.  I will be happy to shoot a pick of mine which I modified for the AOD and then modified some more for the 4R70W.  Personally, I like the stock look in the interior so I like keeping the stock shifter.  Let me know if you want some pix.

    BB1

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    8/01/2025 2:43 PM  #3

    JeffK
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    From: San Jose, CA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 124

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    Hi Bob,
    Thanks for letting me know. I current am running the original 3 spd manual. The AOD comes with a B&M shifter (which is a bit too race-minded for me, but since I have it I might a well as use it for now.). I agree I'd like a stock shifter, what mods are needed? 

    Anyhow so since I have an H pipe already, how wide is your H-pipe? Do you think I can have it cut and have a new wide h pipe welded in?

    My email is jkaminsky2002@yahoo.com 
     

    65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (through bumper hitch)
       •Thread Starter
     

    8/01/2025 3:22 PM  #4

    JeffK
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    From: San Jose, CA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 124

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    Does the AOD mount only sit 2.5" further back? If so I have a very small H pipe (distance between the exhaust pipes and its set 3" further back than the 3spd manual transmission mount. (so here's me hoping that I don't have to cut my exhaust)

    Why does that matter? I'm not a welder.... not until I buy one and teach myself how to melt metal

    Last edited by JeffK (8/01/2025 3:24 PM)

    65 Vert (UCA mod,4bbl, hipo ex, 17x8), 2013 C-Max (hitch & cargo net), 2018 Cherokee (through bumper hitch)
       •Thread Starter
     

    8/01/2025 4:19 PM  #5

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,770

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I made my own, Jeff, but that may not be something you want to do.  So, pick one from a reputable outfit and go with it .  All it has to do is move the trans mount to the rear couple of inches so it's not a major piece of engineering.  I would suggest that you make sure whatever you get has provisions for the E-brake.

    Also, you will need to build a new H-pipe or head pipes to get around the AOD...it's quite a bit wider than the C4.  I also run the HIPO manifolds and think that's a great way to go for a "street" car. 
    Don't know what you plan to do for a shifter but you can use the stock C4 unit with a couple of simple (more or less) mods.  I will be happy to shoot a pick of mine which I modified for the AOD and then modified some more for the 4R70W.  Personally, I like the stock look in the interior so I like keeping the stock shifter.  Let me know if you want some pix.

    BB1

    Bob - I would be interested in seeing the pics you took of the 4R70W/stock shifter mod. I cobbed mine together out of a 1998 shifter and a 2002 shift cable. I couldn't mod the stock C-4 shifter so I installed the 98 shifter and simply put a fabric boot around it. I's like to change is back and if you have a mod to make it work with the 4R70W, I'd like to see it. 
     

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    8/01/2025 5:29 PM  #6

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,939

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    Jeff and Ron;  For the AOD, I just added a piece to the lower lever and moved the linkage hole either back and up or back and down a bit to get the proper travel for the selector lever on my AOD.  I'll try to post a pic but that seems to be unreliable for me.  Don't know why.  For the 4R70W I made further mods to the lower lever, added a piece with a notch to the shift stop, and replaced the "green dot" bezel with one for a 67.  I also got wierd and added a small momentary button to the right side of the lever "T" to control the OD lockout.  I know I sent pix of the lower lever mod to Josh a few years ago.  Will check my files and see if I can find those.  If not, I'll have to put the Heap on the lift and get some shots for Jeff and you.  Probably need to email them as, like I said, my pic posting ability is spotty.

    Last edited by Bullet Bob (8/01/2025 5:41 PM)

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    8/01/2025 5:40 PM  #7

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,939

    Re: AOD crossmember for 1965 mustang convertible

    Jeff;  As for the H-pipe, I would say just get the trans in and then custom fit the head pipes and add the crossover.  I think I had the local pipe shop do mine but it's been twenty years ago for the AOD.  For the 4R70W I just removed the crossover and went without.  Not sure I'm happy with the "no crossover" setup and will likely add one.  Butt (TS&T) it is handy to be able to drop  the head pipes as needed without having to fight a one-piece "H" pipe.
    I'll find and or shoot some pix soon as I can and email those to you Jeff.  If you have any fabbing skills, you shouldn't have a problem with the shifter.  I do know you will want the selector lever on the trans to be pointing up.  Mine came that way as it was from a Crown Vic.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

     

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