Toploader Question?

[Wahoo65]

Is there a prefered toploader? Year(s)? Shaft length? Spline count? Input shaft? Tag info? Anything else?

Thanks,

[Cal Metal]

Not really. You can go to a big in, big out input and mainshaft if you want but that is about it. Not needed for a SB but some people like the idea of the bigger pieces.

The early Toploaders had a superior shift rail kit which used hachet head type detents. The only person who remanufactures those pieces today is David Kee (www.4speedtoploaders.com). You can put that rail kit into any year Toploader but don't mix and match. Throw away the old set and use all new pieces.

A special type of Toploader, known as the "white stripe" Sebring box was also manufactured but are incredibly rare. This unit has a 2.13 first gear and special cluster. I have had David Kee manufacture those pieces for me. It is one great unit and excellent for road racing. Go to his website, as he has the various "white stripe" ratios that Ford produced.

[jschiller]

I would be cautious about the longer tailshafts as that leaves less length for the driveshaft. You would want a longish driveshaft to get good geometry on the u-joints for durability. ERA has a discussion on their web site as I recall. You may also have trouble getting the driveshaft balanced at a shop if it is really short. Too short and it does not fit in their balance jigs.

[Monster]

Wahoo,
If your interested, I still have my toploader available. I never got around to really trying to sell it. Take a look and let me know

take care,
Mike

Toploader with correct shifter/linkage