I broke both mounting ears off my ZF5 the other day. Was thinking of finding any 4x4 version and swapping tailhousing, or just buying a tailhousing and going through the trans. But $150 for tailhousing at which point a rebuild makes sense, yadda-yadda.

I'm thinking about an upgrade to a S5-47 instead of going through my S5-42, since my 460 is around 550 ft/lbs. What are the differences between the S5-42 and S5-47? I believe the S5-47 case has more ribs, but what was changed internally? Also what years did they come behind a 460?

 

I'm not sure what the exact internal differences are between the -42 and -47. I do know that the same rebuild kit services both transmissions.

Changing 4x4 to 4x2 requires a complete rebuild and a new mainshaft along with the tailhousing. You didn't say what year truck you have, but keep in mind 4x2 transmissions (except F-Superduty) in 87-91 trucks had a speedometer drive provision, which the -47 never had.

Here are a couple of links to the ZF website.
Part number progression chart (what was used when): http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...ion_Charts.pdf
S5-42 parts list: http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...SpareParts.pdf
S5-47 parts list: http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...SpareParts.pdf
ZF light truck main page: ZF Friedrichshafen AG | Service Portfolio

 

Sorry for not being clear. I have a 4x4 truck. It's an '86 F-250 Supercab with a SAS up front to Dana 60. Run a NP208 case at the moment (5th one I'e had in the truck), and will be swapping to a NP205 when I run out of 208 spares or have the time to re-route my exhaust and make new driveshafts. But since the mounting ears of the tailhousing are both cracked off I said an option was to find any S5-42 tailhousing (small block, 460, or diesel) and use that tailhousing on my 460 trans.

I'd rather have a S5-47 though since I'm already 130 ft/lbs above the rating of the -42.

 

I gotcha. The whole gearset comes out of the case in the rear cover or tail housing, so like you're thinking, replace the tail housing and you may as well rebuild the transmission at the same time. Since it's 4x4, you could run a -47 without issue since the speedometer is driven off of the transfer case. Looks like '96-'97 460s used the -47.

 

Okay so '96-'97 460 only. I may be going to some junkyards tomorrow with a friend but I doubt I'll see anything 460. They're rare as hen's teeth around here. You never find any big blocks, or solid axle trucks around here. What is a reasonale price to pay a trans shop or rebuilder for a S5-47? I'll make some calls tomorrow. Truck is my daily drier and I don't wnat to have the trans only held in by gravity for too long.

I also see the S5-42 and S5-47 tailhousing are different part numbers.I wonder if they found a problem with the housing cracking and modified it for more strength around the mounts. A couple of the yuppies at work have German cars and I get a hoot out of telling them the only German component on my truck is a piece of junk that can't take even modest power levels. Wish there was an easy bolt in overdrive trans with a good old fashioned cast iron case.

 

I have a 1990 5.8 L f 250 4x2 with 200,000 + on it. Runs great ... trans is makin some odd noises need some guidance ...PLEASE

 

Now that it's cold out mine makes some noise until it warms up. Sounds like a little clearance in the bearings. It needs replacing either way. I tel lthe yuppies at work who drive BMWs that the only German thing on my truck is the transmission and it's the only thing that royally sucks. Sie sprechen keine torque.

No love at the junkyards. Anything that comes in local with a big block, Dana 60, or anything else worth anything is set aside and parted out separate from normal stuff. Looks like it's gonna be pay a trans shop or rebuilder for one. There goes a big chunk of change. Need to get this done before my lakc of trans mount kill my motor mounts and such.

 

the noise I get is when I push the clutch down and it whirrrs and rattles ...gonna check the lube (I run ATF and Lucas) ln it for the last 4 years . What about that dual flywheel deal. T.O. bearing was just replaced too. mmmm???

 

Shouldn't be anything in the trans turning when your clutch is pushed. Either clutch isn't releasing completely or you've got throwout bearing/pilot bearing issues.

 

Ive heard there is a difference in gear ratios between the 42 and 47. Anybody have that info? Wanting to swap a ZF5 into my '78 F150 4x4.

 

It looks like that was only the diesel versions

ZF gear ratios: http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...arRatio_60.pdf

 

Thanks for the info, not what I wanted to hear but helpful. Next step .... drain trans lube thru a paint strainer and check for parts and bits. Open to suggestions on lube #1 ATF and Lucas or #2 ????? (in Va. for the winter) Thanks !!!

 

Cool............thanks

 

Supposedly the S5-47 was only in '96-'97 trucks before the 460 was dropped in favor of little toy engines that make no torque. After seeing a $3700 price tag on a reman S5-47 and unable to find any locally I started looking for trucks. Figured for $3700 I should be able to buy a good driver '96-'97 460 truck, keep the trans, sell transfer case, axle, engine, etc. and scrap the rest.

Turns out I found a guy parting out a '96, went to check the ZF5 today hoping for a S5-47. No love. S5-42, with a reman by ZF Industries in IL sticker on it. Shafts were tight with no slop in gears and no cracks in the case. The price was right at $325 so I took it. I've heard when ZF rebuilds these S5-42 cases they use some upgraded parts from the S5-47. Anyone know if this is true and which parts they used?

Either way, hopefully this trans holds up longer than the last one. I will not be chirping tires on the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts or doing stupid hard pulls on stuck trucks. I believe these are part of waht led to the cracked tailhousing on the last one. I had always considered my wee little 1330 joints to be the "fuses" in my driveline, not the trans. I'll baby this one as the Germans clearly can't build a strong truck trans.

 

Sorry to jump in on your post, but i was wanting to put a ZF 5 speed in my 78 250 4x4 with a 400m. Is there an adaptor needed to mate this tranny to my engine? My truck is a highboy with divorced transfer case so I'm not concered with the other end. I currently have the 4 speed set-up but wanted to add an extra gear for highway driving.