Manual To Automatic

[61stepside]

I want to switch from a three on the tree to an automatic on my 61 with a /6, what should I be looking for?

[PwrWgnDrvr]

A new truck.

[Hobcobble]

I want to switch from a three on the tree to an automatic on my 61 with a /6, what should I be looking for?

There's a lot involved.....
727 or 904 tranny for Slant 6. The 727 may or may not involve locating an adapter plate [good luck finding that.. ]
The ideal candidate would have the integral parking brake drum.

flex plate
torque converter
tail shaft cross member / insulator
remove bell housing cross member [keep stubs where leaf springs mount]
aftermarket floor shifter
kick down linkage
drive shaft alteration
radiator with provisions for tranny lines
neutral safety switch / harness
re-configuring parking brake set up

I'm probably missing some things..... Others can chime in on this.

John

[PwrWgnDrvr]

I'm probably missing some things.....
John

John - you're missing the "new truck"!
along with that,
Spanner where the crossmember is cut out
Steering column

[my5thmopar]

I want to switch from a three on the tree to an automatic on my 61 with a /6, what should I be looking for?

Just curious why? Like John said, there’s a lot involved. I went from/6 with A745 to 440/727. It’s not an easy task and not for an average hobbyist. Welding, cutting and fabrication involved. Craig

[Hobcobble]

I'm probably missing some things.....
John

John - you're missing the "new truck"!
along with that,
Spanner where the crossmember is cut out
Steering column

Terry,
Thanks for throwing in the spanner & column.
I did catch the "new truck" comment.
That's an accurate assessment.

John

[Wildergarten]

flex plate
torque converter
tail shaft cross member / insulator
remove bell housing cross member [keep stubs where leaf springs mount]
aftermarket floor shifter
kick down linkage
drive shaft alteration
radiator with provisions for tranny lines
neutral safety switch / harness
re-configuring parking brake set up

I'm probably missing some things..... Others can chime in on this.

Besides Terry's addenda, there's the starter relay, a lighting circuit for the shift indicator, speedo cable, rear brake backing plates and internal e-brake linkage (don't know if the shoes are different, but probably not by this late date), the two stop brackets for the e-brake, cables on the rear axle, and possibly hoses for the cooler lines. If he wants original, there's a dashboard and dash cable linkage needed too.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Mark, he would need a whole new rear axle to have wheel e-brakes on a 61. That's why John mentioned the tranny with the tailshaft drum e-brake. And the dash shifter in 61 is a pushbutton unit left of the steering wheel - GOOD LUCK finding that! (get a new truck!!!)

[Kaegi]

I would look for an early 60s donor truck with factory auto. then just buy all the parts needed. I just saw one on CL somewhere but dont remember where. I think west coast

[Wildergarten]

Mark, he would need a whole new rear axle to have wheel e-brakes on a 61. That's why John mentioned the tranny with the tailshaft drum e-brake. And the dash shifter in 61 is a pushbutton unit left of the steering wheel - GOOD LUCK finding that! (get a new truck!!!)

Why, are the backing plates welded on? 'Did they make autos with the tailshaft e-brake? I've never seen one.

[Hobcobble]

Mark, he would need a whole new rear axle to have wheel e-brakes on a 61. That's why John mentioned the tranny with the tailshaft drum e-brake. And the dash shifter in 61 is a pushbutton unit left of the steering wheel - GOOD LUCK finding that! (get a new truck!!!)

Why, are the backing plates welded on? 'Did they make autos with the tailshaft e-brake? I've never seen one.

Drums & Backing Plates on the tapered axles are different. You cannot use an
early axle housing with later plates/drums/flanged axles. If you
desire axle parking brakes, you'll need to find a '65 or later axle.

John

[712edf]

Yes they made aluminum 727 TF with tailshaft e-brakes. They were gone by 66 though.

Bucky