im the proud owner of a 95 f150 4x4 xlt 5 speed. ive swapped out the 5.0 for a 5.8. rebuilt the 5.8 myself. did everything except remove the crank pistons and cam. new gaskets all around. new water pump, oil pump, timing chain, and heads, added pacesetter headers, new y pipe and cat, and flow master muffler. now i bolted the m5od up to the 5.8. i understand its not the strongest. i plan on putting a lift kit on, and tires in the 35 " range. i wanna replace the transmission for a stronger manual transmission. any transmission suggestions? should i go tremec or for a f250 trans. i also wanna upgrade the rear end to handle the bigger tires and motor. any suggestions. ill be using my truck in the woods, on the beach. ill do a body lift for transmission clearance if need be. im just looking for thoughts and ideas. cheap is good but i dont wanna sacrafice performance for money.

 

Try looking for a ZF-5.

I've seen the 8.8 upgraded cheaper than buying a different rear. I'd say 9" but you'll have to account for the VSS.

You could go 3/4-1 ton rear but then you've got lug differences and quite possibly different R&P gear ratios.

 

ZF5 for the trans. As for tires, if you plan on running 35's or bigger in mud and sand I would consider 1 ton axles. To me it sounds like you want a strong off-road machine and if that's the case I would do a ZF5 with a Dana 60 front and Sterling 10.25 rear. On top of that if you can find ones with 4.10 gears and you won't even have to swap gears right away.

 

The guy I got my bronco from mentioned something about a kit from someplace out west. It moves the VSS from on top of the axle (for when you do axle swaps) to the output shaft of the trans or transfer case. It's been like a year since we talked about it, but I vaguely remember that much.

 

You could look into a D60 rear, some old Ford half tons had them in 5 on 5.5, but it won't have a tone ring. A 9.75 out of an Expedition or newer F150 would be a good option, you can get them with discs and it's 5 lug. Either run adapters or better yet redrill it to your pattern.

If you don't mind going 8 lug a 10.25 is a cheap bolt in option and then convert your front to 8 lug with F250 parts or swap a D60 and be done with it.

 

If you run an 8lug too you can do what everyone else does and do Humvee wheels/tires.

 

Guilty! Although I did just see a set of alloy 16.5s in 5 on 5.5 for sale last week. Super rare though.

 

I can't wait til my 8 lug setup.. Much larger rim variety too than the 5 by 5.5 15" rims.

 

I have access to a e 250 van rear end