3 ON THE TREE

[JEF199]

I have a 72 F250 2wd w/ a 3 on the tree. Is there any way to change 1st gear ratio so it is not so low? This truck will be used for runnin around not for towing. I have a C6 but want to leave the truck as og as possible. 2nd is alittle to hard to take off in. I am going to be adding alittle power to engine (360 ci). Also the linkage is sloppy if feels like there might be bushings missing behind the steering wheel all the linkage under the hood looks tight. Is this an easy fix?

[FORDification]

You'd probably be happier changing your rearend gear ratio. AFAIK you can't change the transmission's first gear ratio.

As for the steering column...yes, there are numerous bushings and bearings inside that are probably worn out. Rebuilding a 3-spd column isn't that hard. Take a look at the following link for some info and pictures:

http://www.fordification.com/3spd-column_01.htm

[ToughOldFord]

Swap your rear gears. You could try some taller tires in the rear first though.

[JEF199]

Ifound a 73 w/ a c6 I going to take the colum and pedals out of it it looks like it the same does anyone know for sure? being that I already have good trany the donor truck should give me all the parts for the swap. I'll also pull the front end for a later disk brake swap.

[fordman]

no the pedals and brackets are different. they wont fit without modifications or not at all. kieth did a write up on a comparison of the dentside pedal it should be in the site info someplace check it out. it is layed out to show why it wont fit. i have a pedal setup for an automatic. i should have it out and ready to go this weekend.let me know if you want it.

[FORDification]

Here's the photo comparison of bumpside and dentside clutch/brake pedals and brackets:

http://www.fordification.com/clutch-brake-brackets.htm

[sideoilerfe]

I've never seen an F250 with a 3 on the tree.

[papabug71]

I've never seen an F250 with a 3 on the tree.

Yup, they made em'. I have a 69 F250 crew cab parts truck with a 360/ 3 on the tree. & it has the same light duty tranny as my f100 ( "C" tranny). I robbed the steering coulum out of it to rebuild mine a few years back....

[sideoilerfe]

Interesting. I wouldn't think they would put that tranny in a work truck like that. It's too bad it's a parts truck though, It would've been a cool one to restore.

[papabug71]

Interesting. I wouldn't think they would put that tranny in a work truck like that. It's too bad it's a parts truck though, It would've been a cool one to restore.

Yup. I was 15 years too late. The cab is rotted out, not to mention it was beat all to crap. Im going to harvest the 360 & "c" trannie out of it for safe keeping.

It was an old railroad truck, so I know it has had a hard life......

[JEF199]

I looked at the door tag today and it is a "c" code tranny w/ 3.73 rear gears. Can I put a T-85 in w/ out changing alot? Does anyone know where to get one? What is the gear ratio difference between the 3-speeds is there one w/ more car like ratio? I was going to put an auto in it but like the "3 on the tree". If I change the rear gears to something around 3.00 and add some ponys would this be more car like? Door tag says 151 net hp @ 4000 !! Know wonder it feels like a slug.

[papabug71]

Here are the trannie gear ratios. You would be better off just changing the gears in the rear end out. Be advised, with 3:00's its going to be a little sluggish.....Untill you hit 90!!


240 I-6 thru 360 V8:
FIRST: 2.99
SECOND: 1.75
THIRD:1.00
REVERSE:3.17

390 V8 only:
FIRST: 2.42
SECOND: 1.61
THIRD: 1.00
REVERSE: 2.33

[willowbilly3]

As far as I know, there aren't 3.00 for an F250, 3.55s are it. I have heard the Dana 61 gears might work but don't know for sure. I think the T85 would be a cool swap. I had one for a long time and wanted to put it in my crew but the murky mystery around saginaw power steering 3 on the tree columns was just never solved. Even now I have never seen good pictures of one, kind of a bigfoot, people say they exist but no evidence. I had even considered a Bendix box and had one of those too but decided It wasn't a good plan.