• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Drivetrain AOD require new rear end gear ratio?

  • Thread starter Thread starter delmo408
  • Start date Start date Mar 8, 2013

delmo408

New Member
Feb 26, 2013
22
0
2
South Carolina
Mar 8, 2013
#1
  • Mar 8, 2013
  • #1
Looks like my next project will be adding a aod for the obvious reasons. I've had one source tell me that I will need to/want to change the ratio of the rear end. They also suggested JUST changing the gears and leave the trans alone to lower the higher speed rpms. Don't see why I would have to change gears because of the od gear, and seems like just changing gears will accomplish one goal while making new problems.

Any thoughts?
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Mar 8, 2013
#2
  • Mar 8, 2013
  • #2
you dont need to change the rear gear when swapping to an AOD. understand however that if you have say a 2.80 rear gear, going to the AOD will make it seem like you are trying for a top speed run at the bonneville salt flats when you are running down the highway. the overall gear ratio will be on the order of 1.87 or so. so you might want to consider changing the rear gear to something like a 3.73. that will give you good dig off the line, and still puts you rolling down the highway with an overall gear ratio of something like a 2.47 or so.
 

Falcon79

Active Member
Apr 6, 2009
214
8
29
Dallas, TX
Mar 8, 2013
#3
  • Mar 8, 2013
  • #3
I have 3.80 gears and an aod in my mustang, nice burnouts and gets quiet around 55mph. Best upgrade i ever did.
 

delmo408

New Member
Feb 26, 2013
22
0
2
South Carolina
Mar 10, 2013
#4
  • Mar 10, 2013
  • #4
I don't have a tach. Based on your experience, what is your best guess at what my rpms will be at 60 mph assuming everything about my drive train is stock (289 and 3-speed auto)?
 

horseballz

10 Year Member
Sep 30, 2009
824
19
49
Las Vegas, NV
Mar 10, 2013
#5
  • Mar 10, 2013
  • #5
Check this out. I suggest that you enter the actual gear ratio of the considered transmission rather that choosing the generic AOD.


http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

HTH,
Gene
 

delmo408

New Member
Feb 26, 2013
22
0
2
South Carolina
Mar 10, 2013
#6
  • Mar 10, 2013
  • #6
Slick! Thanks everyone.
 

Hwyman

Member
Nov 25, 2010
58
2
9
Bakersfield, CA
Mar 10, 2013
#7
  • Mar 10, 2013
  • #7
delmo408 said:
I don't have a tach. Based on your experience, what is your best guess at what my rpms will be at 60 mph assuming everything about my drive train is stock (289 and 3-speed auto)?
Click to expand...

I have an AOD behind a 302 in a 66 coupe. I changed to 3.80 gears. I'm running 225/60 14 tires. At 70 mph I am at 2500 rpm. It is the perfect rpm for me. I went on a 150 mile cruise the other day with a car club. Holding the speed down to 55-60, and no hard acceleration, I got 18 mpg. Your original question was do you have to change gears when you add an AOD. The answer is no, you don't have to. The car will run fine, but be a little low on rpm in OD. But, by putting in an AOD you can change gears and really help the acceleration.
 

delmo408

New Member
Feb 26, 2013
22
0
2
South Carolina
Mar 11, 2013
#8
  • Mar 11, 2013
  • #8
Thanks Hwyman. Real good info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Newbie looking for some info on speedo gears
  • TDM389
  • Nov 15, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
240
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 16, 2025
TDM389
T
J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
532
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Tuesday at 2:38 PM
joeybuddy96
J
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
562
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
848
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
O
Progress Thread LTD-ing
  • OX1
  • Mar 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
358
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 6, 2026
OX1
O
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?