Could anyone suggest a suitable overdrive standard or auto to use in a 4BT into a f100 ford conversion ?

 

Check out the Ranger overdrive. It goes between the bellhousing and transmission, and also can sometimes be the adapter when you use a different motor than stock.

Advance Adapters has them, and maybe others also. http://www(dot)advanceadapters(dot)....lete-units/91/

With the Ranger you also double the number of gears, splits each gear, you have available. This makes it easier to keep a diesel motor in it's best RPM range.

Don

 

Did your 4BT come with a Ford or GM transmission adapter & flywheel? If so, that's your best place to start.

Otherwise, the entire setup from a 6BT in a Dodge is the place to look.

 

I don't have a motor yet . I want to get the right stuff the first time .

 

if you get it with the chev or smallblock ford adapter, you can mate a gm nv4500 or ford zf (300/302/351 style) respectively. cheaper route that the dodge 6bt hardware.

 

M5r2 has a little more favorable gear ratios and hold up just fine behind the 4bt. I loved how mine drove

 

700R4 GM will work on Cummins adapter and flexplate for GM repowers, only problem is Cummins adapter requires tilting engine to passenger side about 9 degrees. I have Cummins adapter, flexplate, or manual flywheel available new in boxes for sale. Since you haven't acquired engine yet, look for one with counter balancer option. There are 2 different CB options, lo speed is rated to 2100, hi speed option rated to 2500 rpm. Can also buy CB and install to quell vibration inherent to 4B, w/o CB, will need hydraulic mounts. W/O CB or hyd mounts, you will be replacing mounts often. Ford AOD auto overdrive will work as well and no engine tilt, but both will need custom converters and beefed up internals (clutches, drums, etc, no billet shafts or anything like that). Hope I helped. LMK. Ford ZF will NOT bolt up to Cummins Ford adapter, but I also have a ZF adapter that is plate steel. It requires expensive starter and Dodge flywheel and bellhousing mods for starter and starter spacer which I also have.

 

How does AOD and M5r2 work, but smallblock ZF does not? They all have the same bolt pattern.

There's also the GM NV3500 (integral bell) used in half tons and S10s. Not sure how they last behind a 4BT, but may be a manual option in lieu of a purpose-built TH700.

 

Sorry I thought you had mentioned an S5-42 from behind a V10 or diesel(IDI & PS same) 1 plate for diesels and 1 for automatic conversion plate BB gas apps. The factory Cummins adapter is for all small block apps and is aluminum, The factory Cummins Ford flywheel can only fit an 11" clutch, but any of those 1/2T manuals I believe won't last, especially if you can find a 130 HP 4B from a 91 or later P pump Fed Ex van or bread truck. Have never mounted an AOD but the adapter and flexplate/flywheel are for C6 and 4 spd manual. Technically the GM flexplate is for TH400, but with some spacers between the converter and flexplate, the 700R4 bolts right up, so AOD from small block would prob work the same, if any mods at all. A Gear Vendors O/D unit with a C6 or 4spd manual would be the toughest set up.