My Ranchero Resurrection

[KYBlueOval]

Thanks Gary. You and Gunter ( did I spell that right ) are giving me something to reconsider, and I'll readily admit I'm leaning in the direction of filling in the speaker opening. Thanks to both of you your reply.

[Frankenstein57]

John, was the console necessary to cover a transmission option? Or just custom work?  Mark

[KYBlueOval]

Mark, the console is strictly something that I wanted. It is a '66 T Bird console, and when I got the console, I also got the bucket seats.

[Frankenstein57]

I have a 57 Ranchero project that I jumpstarted. I think my tunnel will need to be altered . 

[KYBlueOval]

Mark, are you saying that the tunnel will need to be altered because of the transmission or because of the console. I have a 4R70W transmission, and have been told here on the Forum, that there are aren't clearance issues. The sides of the console ( top to bottom ) were lengthened so it would sit at the right height relative to the bucket seats, but nothing was done to the tunnel.

[Frankenstein57]

I have a modified57 chassis with a 351 Windsor, T-5 trans, the body is on another frame at this time, doing floor pans , sheet metal ect. I know for sure my trans tunnel will have to be adjusted, possibly driveshaft clearance issues.  One of these days I'll post this project to the forum. I started it years ago, cut the rust bucket body up, and bought a more solid body. I bought my 58, and shoved the 57 in the corner. Other life changing events got in the way, divorce, girlfriends, bought a Harley. Anyhow, don't want it to die in the corner, I have enough parts to build two cars, I'd really rather put a longroof on the chassis, and not separate the 57. But for now, i'll stick to the original plan,  Mark

[gasman826]

I made no floor alterations to the Raunch Wagon when I installed 351w and AOD using '64 Galaxie 289 engine mounts.  I did alter the transmission cross member by deleting the OEM cross member and installed a '64 Galaxie cross member to get acceptable drive train angles.

[59meteor]

That 64 Galaxie trans crossmember looks really good, gasman, how did you make the parking brake linkage attatch to it, and any closeup photos of the linkage and how it is mounted to the brackets you welded to the frame? The original crossmembers often seem to either have the threaded holes in the frame rails strip out, or the bolts snap off, and you need to pry it back into place when re-installing it, not to mention it gets in the way of most headers and exhaust systems. Did the 64s still have the 57 style saddle and U bracket style of trans mount, or had they already started using the later style, like 66 & newer Fairlanes, 67 & newer Mustangs etc, where the mount was 1 piece, bolting directly to the trans, and with studs fitting into slots in the crossmember?

[djfordmanjack]

That is a nice and clean install Gary !

[Ford Blue blood]

351C/AOD installed, 64 Galaxie 289 engine mounts spaced 3/4" off the engine and 3/8" off the chassis bracket, trans mount is an Explorer 2wd trans mount.  No body mods to make it all fit.

[KYBlueOval]

Very nice Bill. Do you recall what year Explorer the transmission mount came from?

[gasman826]

Just came in with fresh pictures.  I originally installed the AOD with the '57 OEM cross member.  I made it fit but had four issues.  One was the interference with the rear edge of the transmission pan.  The second was the drive train angle.  The third was the transmission mount.  And the fourth, everyone's issue with long tube header and/or larger exhaust clearance.  I had the '64 Galaxie cross member laying around and decided to correct all these issues.

I moved the cross member location 6" +/- to the rear with simple angle iron brackets welded to the frame.  The cross member can be shimmed to modify engine/transmission angle.  The Galaxie cross member uses a common transmission mount much like Bill's.  Mine came with the AOD.  The Galaxie cross member has nice recesses for large, dual exhaust.

PICs are parking brake mods.  I cut the cable mount and lever bracket off a cut-up '57 cross member.  Pictures aren't the best without removing the cross member.

[gasman826]

PIC PB lever mods

[gasman826]

PICs of cross member

[Ford Blue blood]

Very nice Bill. Do you recall what year Explorer the transmission mount came from?

John it is a 2000 2wd/302.  Need to open the holes in the cross member slightly to have it drop in without forcing.