66 fairlane c6 to toploader x-member

[Jb427]

i have a 66 hardtop fairlane that was a 390 c6 car i am changing to a bullnose toploader will my c6 crossmember work? mine is offset at the gearbox mount point i would also like if some one could tell me dose the the step face forward or to the back.

[6667fan]

Just like it is pictured in Subaru. Outside curve to rear of car. Crossmember will work with TL. It may end up positioned different front to rear due to mounting boss location on TL. Be prepared for possible change of driveshaft. IIRC the trans have different total lengths.

[6667fan]

Went into shop and loosely measured C-6. Approximately 33”. Toploader with bell is 2.5” shorter.

[fryedaddy]

im going through the same swap right now,c6 to tl.my driveshaft was a inch or inch and a half too long before,im hoping my driveshaft will be ok,it may be an inch too short,but i hope it will work? does lowering the back of the car lengthen the driveshaft?

[6667fan]

Are you saying that the shaft into the C-6 was too close to trans for comfort?
I doubt even a significant change in ride height,(lowering), will make enough difference for that shaft going into the TL. There will probably still be an expanse of the input yoke showing behind the tail shaft.

[Jb427]

thanks for that info.

[GerryP]

You can plan the problems out of the C6 to Toploader swap if you are willing to get the parts that make it effortless.  A longtail toploader using the car bellhousing is the same length as a C6.  It uses the same trans mount location and for the Fairlane, is the same crossmember.  There are two yokes for toploaders;  the small output uses a C4/28-spline toploader yoke.  The big output toploader uses the same 31-spline yoke as the C6.  So, if you were to use a long tail big in and out toploader, it is a plug and play C6 swap.  The driveshaft needs nothing and everything bolts up.

I did this on my '67 Fairlane.  The only issue would be the speedo cable since the C6 uses the driver side cable and the big in and out longtail uses a passenger side cable.  Not a big deal.

If you don't have a choice in parts, like one of those weird length early toploaders and using a truck bell, then it's going to be some issues to address. 

[Jb427]

All my running gear will be changed tail shaft diff axles to suite the 482ci engine. Next prob is the gearbox i have what looks like 71 mustang shifter mounting. I am just setting up to cut the hole in the floor. But looks like i need new linkages and mounting location bracket first.

[fryedaddy]

my car was factory 4 speed so my sway is a little easier.i have another driveshaft out of a c4 automatic 66 fairlane that is 2 or 3 inches longer than my c6 shaft.i could use it but its not as beefy as the c6 shaft i just took out.