RUG BP overdrive swap replacing 3 spd '69 F100

[nooptions69]

A while back I noted that I was going to do this swap. Careful measurement indicated that it should work out well and it was in fact pretty straight forward. If you have a stock 3 speed and want an overdrive for highway use while not breaking the bank at the same time, this is an option to consider. The top loader "imposter" overdrives were made in '77 and '78, used in light duty trucks, vans and cars. Check David Kee Toploaders for more info on them.
My swap unit was in my '64 Galaxie and I used the shifter as well, needed only to modify the shifter as needed for seat clearance. On installation, the only thing needed beyond the obvious flywheel facing, clutch etc. is that I had to whack about 7" out of the driveshaft. There's even enough slack in the speedometer cable that the original worked fine. Note that the distance from the trans mounting flange to the transmission mount is the same on the 3 spd. and this unit, and using the stock mount required no fooling with pinion angle. Notes or questions feel free, I know there's more to talk about here if someone else wants to do this. Now I'll be able to run the interstate without leaning so hard on the motor, gonna chug less gas too.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for posting your swap! I'm sure others will be interested.

[nooptions69]

There should be a decent number of these overdrives still out there. Look to the south for 77 - 78 Granadas, vans and any other Ford manual trans vehicles from those years when scrounging. My goal was as stated, a reliable transmission that could handle longer trips at 70 mph without spinning the engine into an early grave, the thing works perfect behind my 300.