[shommel]

a three speed or four speed toploader manual and why? also are three speeds toploaders too?

[66Sprint200]

The four speed is better. It has syncros between all the gears. The 3 speed doesn't have one between 1st & 2nd.

[65BlueHorse]

both are good transmissions. Other than the reason already stated a 4-speed is better for the simple fact that it has another gear so its nicer to drive. The gears in the three speed are spaced out pretty far.

[FordGtMan]

Also if your budget building, take into consideration that 4spd toploaders are on the pricey side. Id probably get a t10 if you can find one for cheap and yes i know they arent as good but if it means saving hundreds, might be worth looking into.

[65BlueHorse]

i actually switched from a three speed to a T-10 4-speed in my 65. It seems to be a good transmission and i only spent $250 on it. The only problem with the T-10s is that they are hard to buy parts for. The only shifter i could find for it was a hurst shifter which cost more than the transmission and i have yet to find a speedometer drive gear (the one on the shaft inside the Tranny) for it.

[Shnate]

So what were the original manual transmissions in a 1966? I have a 4-speed that i've always thought was a toploader. Is it a t-10?

[FordGtMan]

Dont have the observant eye but if its an original 66 mustang tranny its a t10. they're still real good transmissions, wish it was mine.

[andrewmp6]

A t10 is ok if you don't have a high powered car.The toploader is nice but for its price i would run a t5 or tko get a 5 speed and a over drive is nice on the highway.

[65BlueHorse]

Originally Posted by Shnate

So what were the original manual transmissions in a 1966? I have a 4-speed that i've always thought was a toploader. Is it a t-10?

That is a t-10. The toploaders got their name because they had a plate on the top which you took off to get inside and work on it. The T-10 has a plate on the side that comes off.

[Mustangman66]

I have a T-10 for my '66 and I am going to get it rebuilt. Unless I find some sort of a steal for a Toploader, the T-10 will be good enough for me. Aluminum T-10's were used on Corvettes of the day and Shelbys, they are stronger than regular ones, or so I've been told.

[nigel]

Yes they did make 3 speed toploaders, also a 3 speed with and over drive and the 4 speed. Stay away from the 3 speed overdrive and just go with a 4 speed or a T5 wc which is a 5 speed.

[oldbugs]

Originally Posted by Mustangman66

I have a T-10 for my '66 and I am going to get it rebuilt. Unless I find some sort of a steal for a Toploader, the T-10 will be good enough for me. Aluminum T-10's were used on Corvettes of the day and Shelbys, they are stronger than regular ones, or so I've been told.

How much of a steal for a toploader are you looking for??? I just happen to have one or two laying around .

[jspagna1]

On my previous Mustang, I went from a 3 speed to a Toploader. I think it's a great transmission. Never gave me problems and was buttit proof.