FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

5/29/2019 11:03 AM  #1


Interchangabilty between 3.03 3 spd and top loader 4?

I've asked on another board and this is a 1/2 ton pick up, but there were enough mustang's running these transmissions I figured someone here may know.

Realizing there are modern 5 speed options I'd still like entertain hot rodding the little original 3 speed in my truck with a gear vendors.

Does anyone know if the input and output shafts and tailshaft housings are interchangeable between a 3.03 3 speed and a Ford design top loader 4 speed?

 

5/29/2019 4:00 PM  #2


Re: Interchangabilty between 3.03 3 spd and top loader 4?

Jon Richard wrote:

I've asked on another board and this is a 1/2 ton pick up, but there were enough mustang's running these transmissions I figured someone here may know.

Realizing there are modern 5 speed options I'd still like entertain hot rodding the little original 3 speed in my truck with a gear vendors.

Does anyone know if the input and output shafts and tailshaft housings are interchangeable between a 3.03 3 speed and a Ford design top loader 4 speed?

Don't know about your truck, but the top loader was a direct replacement for the original 3-speed in my Mustang.  The only major change was to the speedo cable.  The top loader has it on the right side while the 3 speed has it on the left side.
 


Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
 

5/30/2019 7:33 AM  #3


Re: Interchangabilty between 3.03 3 spd and top loader 4?

lowercasesteve wrote:

Don't know about your truck, but the top loader was a direct replacement for the original 3-speed in my Mustang.  The only major change was to the speedo cable.  The top loader has it on the right side while the 3 speed has it on the left side.
 

Well thanks for that. The 3 speed doesn't get any love but I know they're tough and I like the gear spread for a street driven pick up.

     Thread Starter
 

5/31/2019 12:53 PM  #4


Re: Interchangabilty between 3.03 3 spd and top loader 4?

Truck three speed transmissions have the really short tail shaft and rear housing.  If you go with the longer Mustang style toploader, you will need to change the tranny mount and driveshaft length.  Also longer speedo cable for the four speed and the reverse helix driven gear for the cable. Four speed cable is on passenger side requiring longer cable. Note the cable routing under the dash and across the firewall floor are different for the four speed.
I do not know if the tail shafts and housing interchange between the 3 and 4 speed.  There are some good truck forums out there.  And a lot of experts on what interchanges, same as you find with Mustang info on FYIFORD.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

Board footera


REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.