I have a 1990 F-150 4x2 with the 300 Inline 6 and a 5spd manual transmission.

I pulled a U-Haul trailer from Southern MO to Southern WI 7 years ago, despite the warnings in the manual and by a dealer friend, in 5th gear (i.e. OD) and basically chewed up OD gear up. Since then 5th makes a significant whine, trans gets extremely hot and will fall out of gear if you let off the gas on the flat.

My wife cannot drive the truck with a manual trans and am looking for info on swapping the 5spd with an automatic of some variety.

Does anyone know if this is possible or was ever a factory option on the 300-6? I am assuming the rear end gearing would also have to change since the 300-6 runs slower than the typ V8.

I am also looking for patch panels to repair a little "Feritic Cancer" over the back fender wells. I do not drive the truck in the winter up here but still enough residual salt on the road in the spring to rust holes clean through.

Any info would be much appreciated.