C6 Truck or Passenger Car?

[FloridaPhil]

I have a 1968 Ford F100 with a 360 FE and a manual 3 speed on the column. I want to convert my truck to an automatic transmission and think I should use a C6. I read that there are two C6 tail housings, a short one for a truck and a long one for passenger cars. Can I use a passenger car C6 in my truck by modifying the drive shaft length? Thanks!

[tmcalavy]

You can use either one...the car C6 will require some driveshaft modification that any good driveline/driveshaft shop can handle.

[forrestbump]

YES...with drive shaft and trans cross member modifications. C6's use a different cross member versus manual trans applications.

You'll need a slipper yoke for the passenger car's longer tailshaft housing. I'm assuming you're aware that you'll need an FE C6 trans case which is different than a Windsor/I6 or 335/385 series C6 trans case as they each have a different bell housing bolt pattern.

A C6's trans tailshaft has the trans mount incorporated in it. A passenger car C6 MAY have it's trans tailshaft mount in a different location than a truck's...I don't know that for certain...

[FloridaPhil]

Wasn't aware that the manual and auto trans crossmembers were different. Looks like I should try to find a 67-72 parts truck with a C6, FE and power steering. Shouldn't be that hard.. Thanks!

[BobbyFord]

You can use a car trans. Is your truck long bed or short? If you use a car trans then you will need a shift selector shaft from a truck trans so the linkage will work (assuming you are changing the manual steering column to an auto).

[FloridaPhil]

My truck is a short bed, non-power steering, 360 motor, manual 3-speed transmisson on the column. I'm making a list of everything I need to convert to P/S and Auto. I read the tech article on the P/S swap. So far, I think I need:

67-72 automatic transmission steering column, matching power steering box (Ford), hydraulic lines, shift and kick-down linkage
C6 transmission and a 67-72 C6 Crossmember
Power Steering pump and brackets for a FE engine.
Auto trans radiator

Am I forgetting anything?

I'm pretty sure I can use my manual shift pedals if I cut off the clutch pedal or swap it for automatic pedals. I am looking for someone in Central Florida that may have these parts. They're pretty common around here, so I don't think I'll have much trouble.

[BobbyFord]

Sounds like your list is pretty much complete.
Short bed trucks use short extension housing C6 with a bolt-on driveshaft yoke (slip joint built into the driveshaft).

[Tpdaniels]

Wasn't aware that the manual and auto trans crossmembers were different. Looks like I should try to find a 67-72 parts truck with a C6, FE and power steering. Shouldn't be that hard.. Thanks!

I did this same switch about six months ago on my 72, used the short tail-shaft. I used the same cross member, I just had to move it back about 1 1/2", Mine is a 250 4WD, that's what the extra lever on the left side is for. Worked great, even used the same rubber mount, here's what it looks like

[FloridaPhil]

When you relocated the transmission crossmember to accomodate the passenger car C6, did you have to drill new holes in the frame or are they already there? Thanks!

[michael69]

I did the same. I used the car c6 and used my original cross member. As said just move it to where it is needed and drilled the holes in frame to match where cross member was moved to.

[70_F100]

Here's some information from my C6 to T19 swap that might be useful:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 0&p=466938

The rubber mount is also different by about 3/8" in height.