Eric Fullerton

I'm really just testing the water here. I have a free AODE laying around my shop, supposedly in excellent condition. I have a 1996 4.9 5sp f150 that I kind of wish I had held out for an automatic. It looks like that free autobox could cost big $$ to make a reality. The stand alone controllers would be really cool, and make it more fun, but cost $500 & up at least for ones that are any good.
a stock AODE ECM can be had from EBAY for less than $100. Does the truck have the wiring to support the stock computer?
Then on to the shifter, looks like around $200 for one that would work, over $300 for a nice one. The stock column shifter is pretty much more bother than it would be worth.
I'm just looking for thoughts, including ones that say; quit while you're ahead

BLDTruth

Eh, I wouldn't bother.

New computer, steering column, wiring harness for transmission, brake pedal assembly, driveshafts, etc. And then hope the AOD is in supposedly excellent condition.

But I am a manual guy. Everytime I drive an automatic transmission in any one of these older trucks, be it an F150 or F350, I question why anyone would ever even want one. The only exception was an AOD behind a 302 with 4.10 gears, and I would still rather have a manual any day of the week.

Spend your money and time elsewhere. My 2 cents.

kd3pc

I would love to have a manual transmission in my 1992. The auto is just ok, but not much more.

Keep the manual and bank the $$$$, especially on a "supposedly" auto unit.

Eric Fullerton

OK I think y'all may have talked me down, I don't really mind driving a manual, I cut my teeth on them, driven 3, 4 & 5 speeds all my life, and even a few 8 & 10 speeds. They are doing a lot of construction around here, and the chances of getting caught in a traffic jam are better than average.