What choice would you make

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,

Am doing up a 67 model XR ford ute, and have a 289 V8, but am trying to decide the gearbox option
1 - toploader 4sp OR
2 - T5 5sp out of a later model ford.

Am thinking as it will more be a cruising car not serious driver, the 4sp toploader, plus this is more original equipment so would maybe help with the authenticity of the car.

Would be keen to hear some for & against's

Thanks & Cheers Ean

[pop058]

Ean,

it would depend on if you are chasing "authenticity" or not. Is the ute going to look stock ?? Is it going to have flash wheels/tyres, etc.
If it is not going to be portrayed as a original ute, then (IMHO) I would go the T5.

PS some pics would be nice

[Ean Austral]

Ean,

it would depend on if you are chasing "authenticity" or not. Is the ute going to look stock ?? Is it going to have flash wheels/tyres, etc.
If it is not going to be portrayed as a original ute, then (IMHO) I would go the T5.

PS some pics would be nice

Yeh, I should pull my finger out and take some pics, the car is basically original, except I took the bench seat out and put some bucket seats in. It does have the chrome 12 slotters, but I still have the original aunger rims that used to be on it... Put it this way, its not covered in flares, flames and ****.

Thanks and cheers Ean

[mick88]

My first vehicle on the road when I got my licence was a 1967 Falcon XR ute...170 Persuit motor. The colour was that dark blue that Xr's came in, not sure of the exact colour name. It was a good old rig and served me well until I upgraded to my Portsea Blue HK Monaro.

Cheers, Mick.

[alien]

I've seen these type of vehicles done up in one of three ways.
It's a mater of what you are looking to do with and get out of the ute.


1, Restored back to factory standards in as delivered condtion.
Including corect stickers under the bonet, tyres same as the day ect..

2, Restored subtlety as they where used in the day.
Change of wheels, biger carbies, extractors, 5 speeds, suspension drop, ect..

3, Full modern "hot roding".
Modern EFI motors, late model seats, flares/flames and more.


It sounds like your down the second route so a 5 speed IMO won't be out of place.

[Vern]

Top loader and the chrome xr rims, 12 slots are for later models. I say make it as original as possible
Colour?

[marko66]

Hi All

Ean if cruising around town then go the toploader but the t5 on the highway can make it more liveable. Personally I am envious as they look great - enjoy

Regards Mark

[Kev the Fridgy]

G'day Ean, I guess it depends on what your looking for, Toploaders were great in there day and still are but for "liveability" it's hard to go past later model 5 Speeds, the T5 is a great box, what was the car originally fitted with? Sure, it's nice to keep originality bit also nice to be a "nice" car to drive, after all thats what it's all about. A mate of mine acquired a HQ 4 door GTS less motor and trans, thought about resto and then decided to fit a Gen 2 engine and box, the car is driven as a daily driver and is such a cool car to drive, classic car look and sound, modern car drivability.

[cewilson]

What can you live with?

[BigJon]

I have a WB ute that is my long term project. It is getting a fuel injected 5 litre and a 6 speed manual box. That doesn't really help answer your question though...
I am of the opinion that any modernising you do will be a good thing if you actually intend to drive it regularly. A toploader is really a truck gearbox and the shift quality reflects that.