Ford 4500 Transmission types

[Ray T.]

I am trying to buy a 1971 Ford 4500 TLB.

I know very little about the different transmission types and there pros and cons.

This one has a type K - 6/4 Manual Reversing.

Could someone tell me a little bit about it?

How does it comopare to the other tranny types?

Overall is it a good transmission or one to be avoided?

Thanks,Ray

Transmission Type

A - 4 speed
C - 8 speed
E - Select-O-Speed
F - 4/4 T-C Power Reversing
K - 6/4 Manual Reversing

 

[Anonymous-0]

Got that tranny in my 335.Has never given me any trouble.Years back when we had 4500s they all had 4x4 manuals.Good Luck.

 

[Brian in MA]

I have one 6x4 and two 8X2 trannies and like them both for different purposes. The 6x4 is great for loader work, lots of forward and backward, but I prefer the 8x2 for field work. SOS has a bad reputation, and therefore can usually be had for less money. In my mind, 4 speed is just not enough options, I would avoid that. From a durability point of view, I think that the 8x2 adn 6x4 are the work horses and considered bulletproof. I have not used or owned the power reversing 4x4.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I had a 6x4 for a little while but never used it much. But i will take a crash box over most other types of tranny.
I doesn't take a whole lot of skill to replace a seal or bearing in one whereas with the power reversing or SOS a guy might have to get on a pretty steep learning curve to fix one.

 

[Ecnerwal]

I have an F and a K - I worry a lot less about the K. And I don't find the F "easier to use for loader work" (the supposed advantage) since you have to throttle it way down to shift anyway. I stall that one a lot more than the clutched manual tranny. The F is also somewhat more prone to getting water in it.

For my uses, high range is useless. If you were driving on road it might be a feature, but all my work gets done in the lower 3/2 of the 6/4...

 

[daman]

I have a "K" in my "75 4500 TLB(740/755)and love it,bullet proof. you can down shift easily wile moving if you bring rev's up to match gear speed it'll fall right in do it all the time on mine.

avoid a SOS at all cost IMO.