So today I was driving my 1990 f250 5.8 with a E4od transmission and it got stuck in 1st gear and burnt up my Transmission. I'm looking to do a manual swap and was wondering if I need to put a new computer in it or can I use the auto one and if I just throw a 5 speed f150 transmission in it for now will f150 drive shafts work or do I need to find f250 drive shafts?

 

I hear that the auto ecm will work if you trick a couple sensors, but I think it leaves you with the check-engine light on.

The F-250 uses different axles than the F-150. In the rear I'm pretty sure the difference would be big enough that you couldn't use the F-150 driveshaft. The front might work.

Given that you said "driveshafts" (plural) I assume you have a 4WD. You need a trans out of a 4WD. Putting a transfer case behind a 2WD trans is not practical (or, is practically impossible).

And don't be too afraid of getting driveshafts shortened or lengthened. Everyone seems to try to jump through every hoop imaginable to avoid needing to spend $125 to get a driveshaft shortened, or a little more than that to get it lengthened.

 

On this topic, there are some great writeup's on this site and others. One guy even compiled a comprehensive list of parts for the swap. There's two ways to do it: a clean yet expensive factory-looking swap for a nice truck, or a functional economical swap. Whatever the case, I personally wouldn't fool with the F-150 trans. You'll go through all the same work of putting it in, but you'll be left with an improperly equipped transmission.

 

Although that depends on what he wants to do with the truck. The Mazda 5 speed from a half-ton truck won't hold up to a lot of torque or power as well as the ZF5 from a 3/4 or 1 ton. But it shifts a lot easier and has better gear spacing for most use. If he's going to use the truck like a 3/4 ton truck then yes, get a 3/4 ton trans. But if it's mostly a daily driver the Mazda might actually be a better choice.