Specifications
The Toploader comprises two components: the main case, which encloses the gears, input and counter shaft, and the tailhousing, which encloses the speedometer gear and output shaft. The main case measures 12" in length, while the tailhousing measures 14", 14 ½" or 17", depending on the application.
Shifter bosses are cast into the tailhousing along various points depending on the location of the shifter, as required for each model. Generally Falcons and Comets have shifters mounted forward along the housing, Mustangs rearward, and Fairlanes and full size Fords somewhere in between. Toploaders were also designed for two specific applications: small blocks like the Ford Windsor engine, and big blocks like the Ford FE engine and Ford 385 engine series. Big blocks required a larger "input shaft" to withstand the torque.
Toploader 4 speed
| Application | Engine used (cid) | Toploader Length | Input shaft OD | Splines, input | Splines, output |
| Cougar | 289, 302, 351 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Falcon, Comet | 170, 200, 260, 289 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Fairlane 1964-65 | 170, 200, 260, 289 | 25 ½" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Fairlane 1967-68 | 200, 289, 390 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Maverick | 200, 250, 302 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Mustang 1964-73 | 200, 289 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Ranchero 1967-68 | 200, 289, 390 | 26" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Tiger, TVR | 260, 289 | 27 ½" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Fords, Mercurys | 200, 289, 390 | 29" | 1 1⁄16" | 10 | 28 |
| Ranchero 1969 up | 302, 428, 429 | 29" | 1 ⅜" | 10 | 31 |
| Fords, Mercurys | 428, 429, Boss | 29" | 1 ⅜" | 10 | 31 |
| Mustang 1968 up | 427, 428, Boss | 26" | 1 ⅜" | 10 | 31 |
Note: 1964 and early 1965 Toploaders came with 25 spline output shafts which subsequently proved to be defective and were quickly replaced.
Read more about this topic: Ford Toploader Transmission