Auto trans F-250 4X4?

[hotrodfeguy]

When did the first automatic trans show up in the F-250 4X4 ?

[Doug Comer]

Please don't quote me on this but I think it was an option in 67. Personally I've never seen one though.
Doug

[michael69]

I think you are right Doug. My dad had one years ago that was an auto,but have no idea if it was factory to the truck. I would think it was because truck was only six years old when he got it,but that don't really mean it came in it.

[hotrodfeguy]

I just have not seen one in a 4X4 in the JY yet till you get in the dentside years.

[basketcase0302]

The 1968 dealers literature specifications here only shows a 3 speed and a four speed manual for the F-250 highboys:

http://www.fordification.com/library/ma ... ewsIndex=1

[averagef250]

Supposedly they did offer autos as an option in the 250 4x4 starting sometime in the bumpside years, but I've never seen an original one or any picture evidence of such a thing existing. Several years ago somebody on this forum said they had owned a bump 250 4x4 with a 300 auto in the 70's, but never gave any more detail/specifics.

Plenty of them have been switched to autos though.

[Tpdaniels]

These are Ford dealer brochure, but I was told they were more for corporate sales to see if there was a market for people wanting them and that none were ever produced at the factory. From what I found, 1973 was the first year to have a factory Automatic in a F-250 4WD.
That being said, I have a 1972 F250-4WD with a C-6 that I dare anybody to look at and tell that it did not come from the factory that way. I know it didn't because it had a NP435 4 speed when I got it. I took everything from underneath from a early 70's dentside and used a automatic steering column and pedal's from 70 F100. so much difference in driving that I would never go back to the 4 speed.

Here's a few pictures showing it in the early stage, first is the transmission with the 4WD lever attached to the rear tailshaft and the second shows the Automatic steering column, you can still see the clutch pedal. The last one shows the finished truck

[averagef250]

Thanks for posting those brochures.

[hotrodfeguy]

So the C-6 short tail from the dentside went in with no issues? Looks very nice and thanks for the pics. Thats what I am looking at doing cause my hip and knee is killing me, I have a bullet issue, due to Afghanistan . I don't think I will be able to enjoy my bumpside any other way. And I would like a C-6 rather than a COM.

[Tpdaniels]

So the C-6 short tail from the dentside went in with no issues? Looks very nice and thanks for the pics. Thats what I am looking at doing cause my hip and knee is killing me, I have a bullet issue, due to Afghanistan . I don't think I will be able to enjoy my bumpside any other way. And I would like a C-6 rather than a COM.

This may be more info than you need, but here's what it takes to switch over.

There were a few small issues, but easy to fix. The cross member at the rear of the 4 speed had to be moved back about 1 1/2" to line up with the rear mount on the C-6, The rear rubber mount is the same for both. The cross member is riveted in, I just cut them off and used grade eight bolts to reinstall. There is also a cross member that goes under the front of the transmission, it has to come out to get the C-6 in and it has to be trimmed down to clear the bottom of the C-6. The starter is the same, I used a flex plate, linkage and other small parts from a junk yard doner, I did buy a new torque converter. I used a add on transmission cooler made for a large motor-home mounted in front of the radiator.
You have to have a short tail-shaft C-6 to do the switch, unless you can figure out another way to mount the 4WD lever you must have a tail-shaft from a 4-WD truck or there will be no way to mount the 4WD shifter. I bought a short tail-shaft C-6 and changed the tail-shaft to one with the mount. You might have or know where one is located but that was the hardest part of the whole truck to find, Found one in California and had to pay $100.00 just for the short tail-shaft. You have to shorten the short center driveshaft by a few inches.
This sound like a lot of work but it was not really hard to do and It was well worth it. I hope it works for you