Help, I want to put a standard trans in my 54 ford pick up. I presently have a 1985 302 motor [not a 5.0] and AOD trans. I would like to hear from thoes that might have done this swap and what tranny they used and how tough was it to install. bill

 

I have seen some builds with T5's from a mustang. Those tranny's put the shifter all the way at the back, which pops up right in front of the bench seat. You have to run a "bench bend" shift stick in order to go that route if you have a bench seat.

There are other options for the T5 where the shifter is closer to the middle of the tranny, believe those came out of Astro vans... From what I understand they tend to be harder to come by and dont have the "World Class" gearsets, where as the mustang version 87 and on typically do.

You could easily plant mustang guts into an Astro tranny, but that means you'd have to buy two separate trannys.

There are aftermarket companies that can beef up a T-5, not sure if thats in your budget.

What are your plans with the '85 302?

 

As stated, "I don't know what is in your budget" but there are options for your 302 with the T5. This one is a T5z, beefed up to handle 330 ftlbs and a S10 tailshaft to move the shifter forward. The engine here is a 351M stroker.



I just found this thread on the H.A.M.B. and thought it could help.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=771118

____________________________________
48 Ford F1 - Darkside
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod

"Happiness - 3 pedals and a 5 speed"

 

JD thanks for the reply. As for the 302 its was a rebuilt long block from the Boy's. All Ive done so far was to put an edelbrock performer manifold and a edelbrock 600 series carb. I also put a comp cam. I definately need to get some better heads and some headers. that will probably be all I will do. Im a little short of cash right now but Ive seen the T-5z and will probably go that way but Im not sure which bell housing to use. I would like to use a hydraulic Throw out bearing instead of the bell crank set up. I will also probably have to order the speedway clutch and brake pedal set up with booster and clutch cylinder. As for the bench seat that won't be a problem cuz Im replacing that with bucket seats. Bill

 

48 steel is the S-10 tail shaft make it what they call a top loader?

 

The S10 tailshaft was used to move the shifter forward for the S10 Blazers and pickups. In the Mustangs they needed it farther back to fit the center console. These guys can help you out on T5xz questions and build. http://www.moderndriveline.com/

 

What makes your 302 not a 5.0? They are both just different ways of sizing the same engine.
If you are going juice clutch, there are a couple pickup transmissions that will keep the shifter foreward. Neither is suited for fast shifting like a T5. The ZF is my favorite, I have one behind a 300-6.

 

Willowbilly, your right about the size I was just referring to the later model engines that were referred to as the 5.0 or 5.0 HO. I believe the later 5.0 have considerable more horse power than the earlier 302 70's and early 80's blocks. Usually do to smog restrictions. bill

 

I think the T-5 WC will be fine for you. If you can get a T-5z for a decent price then go for it. Swap the tail shaft for an S10 and you're all set. If you were going to make alot more torque than 330, I wouldnt recommend it, as the T-5 likes to explode 2nd or 3rd when really hot rodded. But that's using the transmission beyond it's rated limits. If you needed that kind of tranny, you'd be in the market for a TKO and spending alot more money. T-5 will get it done.

 

No. "Top loader" usually refers to the Ford performance 4 speed of the '60s and '70s, and to a lesser degree to the 4 speed OD transmissions of the late '70s to mid '80s built on the "Top loader" pattern/design.

Having said that, the T5 is a top loading trans, as is the Mazda 5 speed, the Ford 303 three speed and a host of other transmissions. That is, the gears and shafts go in through the top. The ZF is a rear loader or end loader, depending on how you want to say it, as the works goes in the back after you take the case apart.

OT trivia....but you gotta keep 'em straight.

FWIW the tailshaft housings interchange easily, so you can put the S10 tailshaft housing on the Mustang trans if need be.

Endless T5 trivia:

Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Transmission and Drivetrain: Borg Warner T5 Transmission data

T5 Swap, T5 Conversion, Mustang T5 Swap, Auto to Manual Transmission - FordMuscle

The Ultimate T-5 Swap Article

 

I am not sure, so don't take this as gospel but I remember seeing some show (trucks maybe) where they put a kit on top of the tranny to move the shifter to the center of the unit. I can't remember if it was a T5 or not.

 

With the T5, not sure you can locate the shifter on top, but it gets to the very front of the TS housing with the S10 housing.

With the 4 speed ODs, Ford made 3 versions. One was an iron cased, side shifted unit just like the old days. Then there was the "SROD", found in both cars and trucks. It had the shifter back a ways, but mounted on a turret. It shifted by a rail in a tube up to the top of the trans. (Single Rail Over Drive) There was also a version with the shifter built into a cover, replacing the tin cover on the regular models. "Top Shifted Over Drive" it's called, not sure that's an official name like "SROD".

Kees Toploaders sells a topshift for the performance transmissions. Not cheap:

Toploader Price List

I thought he sold the shifter by itself, but I only see transmissions built that way, not shifters alone.

 

Is this what you were thinking of?

Mustangs Plus