5 Speed Conversion

[75 Squire]

Ah cool I guess Im the first project.


Well I am currently gathering parts for a 5 speed conversion on my 75 Ranchero.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/473833/fullsize/dscn2234.jpg

This is the pedal assemble I am going to use. Right now I am just cleaning off the surface rust and putting some paint on it so it wont come back.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/473834/fullsize/dscn2236.jpg

Here is the tunnel hump and the mechanical linkadge. The equlizer bar is already spoken for if I dont use it.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/473835/fullsize/dscn2237.jpg

And last but not least thats the tilt floor shift column that I got from a 72/73 Cougar. The thing in the green t-shirt is my hydro booster and at the top is the X-brace off of a 78 Lincoln MK III. At some point all of this stuff is going to get installed.

[Letsrace]

Sounds like alot of work! But 5 speeds in a '75 Ranchero sounds pretty cool to me! :)
What engine will be in front of the 5spd?

[75 Squire]

A 400. Its kind of a pain because I need to locate a bellhousing before I order the transmission. I am going to use a Tremec TKO 600. Its about the only aftermarket trans that will stay together in a 4800 pound car with a torque monster of a engine.

[75 Squire]

Well I finally got the bellhousing. Its even for a 351M/400 engine. Now all I need is the trans and I will be posting pics every day of the progress.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/475781/fullsize/dscn2239.jpg

[Letsrace]

Sounds like you are making good progress! Looking forward to hearing more! :)

[75 Squire]

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/475982/fullsize/dscn2251.jpg

Here is the block plate that I finished today.


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/475983/fullsize/dscn2252.jpg

Here is the pedal assemble that I finished 2 days ago. Not to happy with the way they turned out. I was thinking about having them powder coated but I dont think the bushings would survive and I dont know where to locate new ones.

[72Chero]

great job so far.... Keep it up...

[PaPa Mike]

Cleaning up very nicely

[CJguy]

I'm watching this one, doing the same to my 72CJ only different. Keep us posted...

[Letsrace]

Looking good!
I wouldn't worry about powder coating the pedal assembly, probably not worth the effort. Most people wouldn't even notice the effort, and besides, they're just pedals. JMO :)

[75 Squire]

Well I have let this project slid to the back burner for a few weeks. I got sucked into work really badly and then we had that cold snap and I didnt want to spend any time in the garage. So just to do something I pulled out both passenger and drivers seats out of the car and pulled up the carpet a little to get a peak at the floor pans. So far they look just like the day the car rolled off the assembly line. I also found my build sheet. So as soon as I get my taxs done and hopefully get my refund I can go ahead and order up the trans.

[75 Squire]

OK Im back on it again. I just finished talking to Modern Drivline and they are going to get me quote. From there it will take roughly 1 week for everything to arrive.

[75 Squire]

Well its on its way now. Should be in Tomarrow. However the clutch itself will be a little late.

[75 Squire]

IT CAME, IT FINALLY CAME!!! :D :D

The transmission came in this morning, right on time.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/517271/fullsize/dscn2433.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/517267/fullsize/dscn2432.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/517272/fullsize/dscn2434.jpg

I got the Tremec TKO 600, a Mustang Hurst shift lever, a SVO bracket so I can mount the stock mech. linkadge, a speedo gear and the oil. WAHOOO!!!!
I bounching off the walls here. Its like Christmas in May!!!:D

[72Chero]

I'm so excited for you Doug... can't wait to see ya drive it .... If you need me to teach ya... I'll do it...

[Daffy]

Good to see someone making progress on projects...My stuff is kinda stuck in the mud right now..

[75 Squire]

Just a update on what I have been up to.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/522737/fullsize/dscn2439.jpg

This the 72-73 pedal assemble going in. As you can see the bolt patter is different from 72-73 to 74-76. Just cut out the middle section of metal and use the spacer from your car and it should swap right over.


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/522739/fullsize/dscn2441.jpg

Contrary to popular beliefe you can pull the pedal assembly out with the dash still in the car. Just be ready to destroy some wiring.


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/522742/fullsize/dscn2444.jpg

And now I have pedals again. This is going alot slower than I though it would be, but I am taking my time and making sure everything is done right the first time. The old slush oh matic (C6) should be out by the end of the week and at least the new fly wheel and clutch should be in.

PS. anybody intredted in a slightly used C6. Profeesionally built by TCI. It would come with a B&M Mega shifter, torque converter, flex plate and block plate. The tail shaft is staying with the engine.

[72Chero]

WOW AND WOW..... you have really come far on this project. I'm getting excited for you now Squire... you are going to have so much fun driving that brute.... remember those hills are tricky.... thanks for the update and keep us posted....

[75 Squire]

Ok I finally got the new flywheel in and the clutch in place.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/527684/fullsize/dscn2453.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/527685/fullsize/dscn2454.jpg


Anybody intrested in a TCI C6 and TCI torque convertor? Both were working perfectly when I pulled them out. 2 minor leaks on the trans, one on the pan and the ohter from where the shifter comes out.

[Superbee]

Thats going to be a fun ride when your done. Doing it right the first time is the only way to do it. So anyway nice Job.:)

[75 Squire]

Ok finally got he trans in. It took a good friend, myself and a floor jack the better part of 3 hours to get it all in. Also involved further cutting of th exhauste and a couple of parts runs.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/529061/fullsize/dscn2460.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/529062/fullsize/dscn2462.jpg

Had to open up the floor pan more than I wanted to but it was the only way to get the tarns to go in. Other than the larger hole for the shifter there was no other cutting nessissary. Chevy boys eat your heart out. I know you guys need to cut out your entire trans tunnel to install a Tremec. And yet one more reason Ford is better than Chevy;)

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/529063/fullsize/dscn2464.jpg

Still waiting on the trans mount. Last I checked it was at the local warehouse, but it hadnt been scanned in so I cant get it yet. Oh well should be here on monday.

This still leaves me with the problem of how the heck Im gonna acuate the clutch. The mech. linkadge is not going to work so if anybody has any ideas or tips or trick on a master/slave cylinder set up I could really use them right about now.

[75 Squire]

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/531202/fullsize/dscn2465.jpg

Well finally gave up on the Mech. linkadge. its just to darn hard to find a bracket for the Z-bar. So I am going to use this here Hydraulic set up.

[75 Squire]

Ok, got a bunch of small things done today.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533475/fullsize/dscn2466.jpg

Reinstalled the steering column, instrument cluster and the various other things that are in the dash.


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533476/fullsize/dscn2472.jpg

The old insulation was literrly falling off so I cut up some new pieces and glued them on. This is just generic "Marine/Auto" insulation that I picked up at the local upolstry shop. Its about a million times better than the factory stuff, one side has aluminum foil and its super dense.


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533477/fullsize/dscn2474.jpg

Almost there, Im definetly on the home stretch now. Finish the hydraulic set up, bolt the trans down and install the interior and Im done.

[72Chero]

WOW.... Squire your going to be driving it before you know it.... great job.

[75 Squire]

Ok I finally bolted the trans down today. I had to "massage" the mount a little to gain acess to the bolts. Also installed the slave cylinder and picked up the "Hurst" T-handle. I also had to "massage" the passenger side header as it was rubbing on the bellhousing a bit. It would seem that the truck 4-speed bellhousing has more meat at the edges. Tomarrow I hope to start her up and take a spin though the neighbor hood. With OPEN HEADERS!!!!:D :D

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533793/fullsize/dscn2476.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533794/fullsize/dscn2477.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533796/fullsize/dscn2478.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/533797/fullsize/dscn2480.jpg

[75 Squire]

Well at least mech. its finished, still need to get the interior in and fiddle with it a little.

Heres a quick vid, will get more up in the days to follow.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/537034/fst/537034.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/537034)

[Superbee]

Awesome job it looks great. Congrats, let us know how its working:)

[72Chero]

I am so excited for you.... congratulations on a job well done....

[75 Squire]

I was having a horrible time with a heavy pedal so I moved the slave to the far side of the clutch fork and though still somewhat heavy its consistant and there is a defintate release point. More pics will be up as I get the interior put back in.

[75 Squire]

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/538279/fullsize/dscn3812.jpg

Here she is all done. Now the fun part, learning to drive stick:D :D everybody stay off the sidewalks.

[grantorinslo]

Looks awesome, great job.

Keep it 'tween the ditches.

[75 Squire]

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/596256/fst/596256.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/596256)


Here is a video fromt he other day. Not the greatest but the best i ahve at the moment. I got a new digital camera for Christmas, so I will be updating all my pics and getting some new ones for you guys.