Light duty 3 speed

[70f10rat]

Question, will the light duty 3 spd stand up to a mild 390? Or should I explore other options? I have an Fmx in the garage but would like to keep the truck standard shift.

Thanks, Sean

[sargentrs]

I don't know about behind a 390 but I've had one behind my 302 and abused the crap out of it. I've hauled 1500#-2000# in my 2wd F100 LWB over the mountains several times and she never broke a sweat. IMO that's a tough transmission!

[70f10rat]

Thanks Sarge, figured more would have weighed in... Just need to know if this thing will take a beating from a young guy, or should I get a diff. Trans? I'm using it for a shop truck/ hauler that can really haul

Thanks, Sean

[sargentrs]

If you decide to swap out, hang onto it if you have a place to keep it. They're hard to find now, at least in my area.

[70f10rat]

Oh will do. The reason I asked this question is so that I don't turn it into a piece of scrap metal.

[fmartin_gila1]

The earlier models with the non-synchro 1st gear are not as robust as the later one that had synchro 1st. The laters were called 3.03 because that was the distance between the mainshaft centerline and the countershaft centerline. The earlies were 2.86 or something like that and were not as strong a trans. During the years it was used, the 3.03 was the standard for all engines when a 3 spd was ordered.

Fred

[motzingg]

If you decide to swap out, hang onto it if you have a place to keep it. They're hard to find now, at least in my area.

hmm, thats surprising. there were 2 of them sitting on craigslist in north carolina at $50 and $100 each, and there is one at $150 sitting here in Austin texas not selling either. I was planning on putting mine up for $50 to get rid of it, but now you have me re-considering.

[sargentrs]

Mine went out on me, 40 years old, and I called 20 salvage yards in a 50 mile radius of me. Nobody had one. Finally bought one from a member here and had it shipped from Kansas (thanks, fordman!).