I am trying to get a hold of some information on the "RUG" series of toploaders that Ford used. I got my '59 F100 back on the road last week and the stock 3-speed sounds like a supercharger gone wrong. I have every intention to change this transmission out with something a bit more suitable for my style of driving. So while researching my options, I saw some stuff about how the RUG transmission may be a possible option. So I have been researching it, and maybe I am not the smartest guy or something. But I am having some issues making sense of it all. Here is what I "think" I know so far... This toploader has been around since the 60's in different forms. Early ones came in a few styles, but since I am doing mostly highway stuff and no heavy loading, I am thinking that the car one would be my best option since they have a streetable first gear. Now I also saw that there was a three speed version with an overdrive that was equipped with both early and late bolt patterns. What is the story on those? Would it even be workable on my 292? Or do I s**** that idea right now? And then there was a version used in later trucks. Was this version a true 4-speed with a 1:1 final, or were they overdriven also? I am already ***uming that there is some stuff that will need to be changed or tweaked to make it work (Clutch, driveshaft, etc.) But would I need an adapter to get any/all of them to work? Or is there a certain year range and style that would bolt to my existing manual bell housing and only require minimal tweaks to mate it to the engine? Here is how I plan on using the truck. It is grocery getter, and occasional move a friend truck and will see freeway driving. I have no plans on hauling heavy loads regularly, but maybe on occasion. So mostly I am looking for a streetable transmission not a farm truck transmission. Thanks in advance for what anyone can offer in the way of information.
Your best bet would be a 3 spd + OD out of a mid 60's fullsize car. These were Borg Warner Units. Some of them are weak, so look for ones behind V-8's and in Full Size Cars (Galaxie's and Monetery's). One of these transmissions should bolt up to your exisiting bellhousing, since the Y-Block was offered up until 1962 in cars and '64 in Trucks. I am running a 3 spd + OD out of a '65 Galaxie in a '51 F-1 behind a 351W. It works great, good highway mileage, and 1st is not a granny type gear.
If you want an over drive and a good low first, go with a T-5. The conversion is easy and a lot of guys (incluing myself) are going this way. I love mine!
Also, I believe the RUG uses the Ford 4 speed case no matter which version it is, so it may be hard to find a bellhousing that will mate. However, Lakewood or Quicktime may offer Y-Block to Ford 4 spd bellhousing. The RUG's were offered in both 1:1 4th and 0.8:1 OD 4th gear. I would stay away from the aluminum case units that were used in the Mustangs and Capri's as they are weaker than the Cast Iron Case units that were used in Trucks and Full Size Cars. 1st gear is roughly the same in all versions. (3.01:1 to 3.29:1).
Not sure what a "RUG" transmission is (never heard that term) but I just put an OD toploader 4 speed up to the 292 in my 57 Ranchero. Not a bolt in but not bad. The input shaft bearing retainer had to be turned down 1/16 to fit the 292 bell housing. My new trans only had the late bolt pattern but no problem with drilling the early pattern in the trans case. I have seen other toplader 4 speeds with both patterns but they were normal 4 speeds, not the O/D version. Imput shaft had to be cut off about 1/4". I had to change to a 58 and newer clutch disc, yours is probably correct but check. Slotted the holes in on the stock 57 ****** mount to fit the transmission and it was in. Only thing left is a new driveshaft, my toploader 4 speed is 3" shorter the the original 3 speed. If your using an O/D version note the 3/4 shift lever points down, not up like a normal 4 speed when up hook up the shifter. I can't report on the drivability yet (still waiting for the driveshaft) but I'm hoping the O/D will make it a lot more freeway friendly.
I don't know what a RUG is either, but Jerry (from Phoenix) helped me put a 3 speed toploader from a late 60s Ranchero behind the 272 in my '55 Fairlane. I think he needed to turn down the front bearing retainer on the ****** a smidge to get it to insert into the bellhousing, other than that it seemed to fit fine. We used clutch and PP from NAPA for a '67 Ranchero. He also needed to make an alignment tool because the ones we had wouldn't fit.
PM me about this Rug transmission. My Dad is running one behind his Flathead no adapters needed like the T-5. They are Good ******s with OD.
The RUG transmission uses an odd 4 speed shifter mechanism. They are an overdrive. UPS used them is some of the E350 vans they had. The transmission slip yoke is the same as a C4 Ford automatic, use a 2-3-8251x ****er slip yoke to match the original 59 F-100 u-joint size.
If i'm not mistaken the RUGs are kinda like the SROD (Single.Rail.Over.Drive) aluminum transmissions found in the early 80's carb'd GT Mustangs and light duty F100's. The transmission isn't super weak or anything, but the jump from 3rd gear to 4th (OD) is unbearable. Imagine driving a 5 speed and not being able to use 4th. I had one in an '82 F100... that truck would scream through 3rd... dump it into 4th and welcome to bog city. Just be careful at which toploader you go with. Not all of them are desirable... and there are some that LOOK like the better old ones, but are newer with ****ty ratios. Just my 2 cents. -Chris
What you need is all the RUG- ? number. The number or letter will tell you what trans you have. Google toploader ID and it will give you all that you info you need plus some . The early toploaders were HEH- something ,then the RUG- came out. Hope this helps. G***erman
Thanks for all the replies. McTim - I had considered the T-5, but it may just be a bit more than I got to spend. The trans can get a bit pricey and with the adapter (even the modded 3-spd housing is a couple hundred along) then I also might get stuck pulling the bench seat out and that is something I am not too keen on. metalman - Mind you I am very limited on knowlege about this trans. But my understanding is that the RUG is a series of 4-spds that all the casting numbers start with RUG. G***erman - I think that is my biggest question. I wish that the local yards around here were both close enough for me to get to that I could get a number and then go look it up. Mostly what I will have to do is hit Pick-A-Parts and they are notorious for being there one weekend and gone the next. So I figure I need to think of some way to narrow down the search. What era and type of vehicle should I look under for good candidates? I would hate to start digging under a 4-spd Mustang just to find out that I really wanted to look under 80's trucks, you know? oldiron - I pm'd you. And everyone else, I really appreciate what has been said so far. Every little bit helps.
You need the full code to tell what you have RUG BP RUG CA RUG CL RUG CD These are the iron case overdrive units used in 77 - 78 in trucks and full size cars. They have a fairly wide spread between gears, so they aren't really a performance transmission. Other RUG -- transmissions should be regular 4 speeds with closer ratios, but no overdrive. codes for these here; http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/idchart1.htm They vary by shifter location, spline count, and close ratio vs wide ratio. The earlier transmissions have dual bolt patterns that will work with older bellhousings. The overdrives only have the late style pattern.
Patrick2965, what was odd about the shifter? A regular Hurst bolted right on mine, just flipped the 3/4 shift lever over.
The "RUG" series usually have the large spline input shaft, which is identical to the early (pre 49) Ford item. There were 3 and 4 speed varieties. Another one is the T150, if a 3 speed is ok. It's also a toploader, and you can use the jeep shifter. 4TTRUK
"RUG" I believe refers to the later 60's toploaders and "HEH" refers to the earlier units. I'm currently planning on dropping a 1 3/8 input shaft toploader (big block cars) into a y block powered '54 mercury. Keep us posted on the build! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That big block top loader is far more trans than a Y block '54 Merc. needs You should be able to sell that rare ****er for enough to get 2 or 3 T5,. And then you'd have OD.
The Ford top loader 3+1 Transmissions came in cars and pickups with and without shifters built in. The car units will fit car bellhousings most have only the late bolt pattern but can be redrilled. Truck units have larger front bearing retainers and fit truck 4 spd bellhousings. I have one in a 1976 F 100 with a 390 and it works great and held up fine.
Ridiculous response LOl Reason is 3rd is 1:1 in a SROD. In a 5 speed, 4th is 1:1, same difference. Shifting from 3rd to OD or 4th to OD is teh EXACT same thing LOL What is different is the large difference from 2nd to 3rd in the SROD. maybe that is what you meant to say.
Here's a load of information on the RUG transmission from Advance Adaptors. https://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/3-ford-tc-overdive-transmission/
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