I ordered a '78 F-150 with towing package and that 4 speed overdrive toploader. I towed a 6400# travel trailer all over the USA, put 100K+ on the transmission. Had to rebuild it once with small parts kit. The dealer would only sell it to me if I promised not to tow in OD. I rebuilt the engine with 408 CI, Comp Cam H268, ported the heads and installed threaded rocker studs, adjustable rocker arms, guide plates, ported a Street Dominator 400, 780 Holley vacuum secondary carb, headers and dual exhausts. My sons beat the snot out of that truck their senior years in high school, and the transmission took all the abuse of their jackrabbit starts. It has a wide ratio, deep first gear, and 1:1 in third. Gas mileage is not significantly increased because of the wide spread in gears. Personally, I would use it if I already had it, but I would certainly plan of buying a big input/big output wide ratio top loader, or a TKO for the long haul. JMO, but I drove the pickup for 14 years and if the truck had been a supercab, I would still have it. Joe-JDC.
