Ford C6 transmission
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| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 1966–1996 |
| Predecessor | Cruise-O-Matic |
| Successor | E4OD |
| Class | 3-speed longitudinal automatic transmission |
| Related | Cruise-O-Matic |
The Ford C6 transmission was a heavy-duty automatic transmission built by Ford Motor Company between 1966 and 1996. After the successful launch on the C4 automatic, Ford chose to design a new transmission that would cut down on weight, complexity, and parasitic power loss for its larger engines just as the C4 did for smaller engines. Ford insisted that the new transmission be built capable of handling the greater power of newer engines as well as fit in the same space of the MX.
To cut down on weight and cost, the C6 featured a simple, three speed Simpson planetary gearset as well as over 10 lbs of powdered metal. To aid in shift quality and long time durability, it was the first automatic transmission designed to use the Borg-Warner flexible shift band. It was designed similar to the C4 transmission but could handle greater power.
The C6 was used in trucks and cars with large engines. Four case bell housing varieties exist for use with various Ford engines: Windsor bolt pattern, for the Windsor and Cleveland V8s; FE, for the 360, 390, 427, and 428 V8s; Cleveland, for the 351M and 400 Cleveland and the 429 and 460 V8s; and diesel, also available on the inline 6. The Windsor case is relatively rare. The diesel case is similar to the Ford 385 case, but is not interchangeable.
The transmission is very popular in the sport of drag racing today, with units equipped with manual valve bodies and transbrakes, some of which are air shifted. It is also widely used in off-road applications due to its reputation of being nearly indestructible. It does, however, have a reputation of greatly reducing performance as well as fuel mileage, due to the amount of power it requires to operate.
Applications:
- 1978–1991 Ford Bronco
- 1967–1996 Ford F-Series
- 1964–1970 Ford Fairlane
- 1966-1974 Ford Galaxie
- 1966–1980 Ford LTD
- 1977–1979 Ford LTD II
- 1966–1979 Ford Ranchero
- 1966–1979 Ford Thunderbird
- 1968–1976 Ford Torino
- 1966–1979 Lincolns
- 1966–1969 Mercury Comet
- 1967–1978 Mercury Cougar
- 1966–1972 Mercury Meteor
- 1968–1976 Mercury Montego
- 1968–1974 Mercury Monterey
[edit] E4OD
The C6 core components were used to build Ford's 1st electronically controlled automatic transmission. The E4OD was introduced in 1989 and used in both light and heavy duty applications. The E40D has four forward speeds and electronic shift controls replacing the hydraulic governor control mechanism of the C6.
Applications:
- 1990–1996 Ford Bronco
- 1989–1998 Ford E-Series
- 1997–1998 Ford Expedition
- 1989–1998 Ford F-Series
[edit] 4R100
The E4OD was updated in 1998 and this new transmission was the last rendition of the C6. It was largely the same as the E40D, but with some changes to internal components to address durability concerns when put behind the ever increasingly powerful Powerstroke Diesel Engine. In 1999 it was fitted with a PTO for auxiliary equipment attached to heavy duty trucks. To follow Fords new naming schemes for its other transmissions, Ford renamed the E4OD the 4R100.
Applications:
- 1999–2004 Ford Lightning (F-150 SVT)
- 2002–2003 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
- 1999–2003 Ford Super Duty
- 1999–2003 Ford Expedition (with 5.4 V-8)
- 2000–2003 Ford Excursion
- 1997–2004 Ford E-Series
