How many gears does a Ford C4 transmission have?
The Ford C4 is a two-speed automatic transmission with two forward gears, commonly used in Ford V8-powered cars from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s.
In practice, the C4 uses a two-speed planetary gearset and hydraulic control to provide two forward speeds plus a reverse gear and standard park/neutral positions. It relies on a torque converter for initial torque multiplication, with a possible torque-converter lock-up feature in some applications to improve efficiency during cruising.
Gearing and how it works
The forward speeds are automatically selected, providing a low (First) and a high (Second) range. The list below outlines these speeds and their typical roles in driving.
- First gear (low): designed to maximize torque at low speeds for starting from a stop, hill climbing, and heavy-load situations.
- Second gear (high): designed for cruising at higher speeds with the engine operating at a lower RPM for improved efficiency.
In addition to the two forward gears, the C4 includes a reverse gear for backing up, and standard park/neutral selections as part of the transmission’s overall range.
In summary, the Ford C4 is a two-forward-gear automatic transmission, supplemented by reverse and park/neutral controls. It was widely used in Ford applications from the 1960s through the early 1980s before being replaced by later 3- and 4-speed automatics.
Historical context
The C4 family was introduced to provide a lighter, simpler automatic option for Ford’s V8 lineup. Production spanned roughly from the mid-1960s into the early 1980s, making it a common sight in classic Ford models such as certain Mustangs, Fairlanes, and Broncos.
Summary
The Ford C4 has two forward gears, making it a two-speed automatic. It also includes reverse and standard park/neutral controls and is characteristic of Ford’s mid-20th-century automatic transmissions.
