Hey guys, I was pondering swaping my aod for a 5spd. I have an 83 f-150 w/302 and the aod tranny 2wd. I would like too swap in a mazda 5spd. or maybe something different.
Besides the pedal bracket and all aother details, what trannys should I look for that can take some abuse as I do haul loads. I was thinking of maybe one with an external slave cylinder, and I have heard the mazda 5spds. out of f-150s take well too a beating, but did any of them ever come w/ an external slave?
I have also heard that zf-5spd. are tough suckers, where would I find one of those?
If not what are some other options?

 

A few years ago I pondered the same question. I asked a friend of mine about it and he said to avoid the 5 speeds like the plague. He advised me to get the 4 speed tha my mother had in her truck. From experience I know that the 4 speed was a better built more durable transmission than any of the 5 speeds of that time. A local junk yard should have a few in stock. I know that my mother's truck with a 4 speed and 4:10's with a 300 straight six was quite impressive.
Hope this helps!

 

The ZF is a plenty tough tranny with a 'granny' low 1st gear and an OD 5th. They can be found in F250's and F350's in the late '80's/'90's. Because this trans has an integral bellhousing, you would need one from a 2wd truck with a 351, 302, or 300-6. The 460 and diesel ones have the wrong bellhousing bolt pattern.

The 4-speed that Ford Cardinal is talking about is likely a Spicer T-18 or NewProcess NP435, both tough transmissions, both with a 'granny' low 1st gear, neither one with overdrive, and both available in Ford trucks from the '70's-'80's. There are 2wd and 4wd versions of these as well. The bellhousings are seperate on these, so as long as you have a 4speed bellhousing that fits your engine, you should be able to use a trans from a truck with a different engine family.

In any case, swapping the transmission will likely result in needing a different length driveshaft.

 

I thought about a 4 spd. cause of the durability, but I really want a od gear.
So, if I did find one but it has the big block bell housing, how could I adapt it too a small block?
Also, are all the zf-5spd. external slave cylinder?

 

bump gotts to know

 

You'd be better off getting a small block ZF rather than trying to adapt them. Small block ZFs have concentric (internal) slave cylinder, big block ZFs have external slave cylinder.

 

Just for curiosity, what small block 5spds had external slave cylinders?

 

I'm pretty sure none did.

 

I was looking into swapping out my M5OD for a Borg Warner 4speed. I've got 33's and my truck's a dog. Do you think this transmission would be better than the 5speed? I can barely run 5th gear I just have to be on the highway and I don't drive much on the highway.

 

Depends on what your gears are. If you have highway gears running those 33" tires you'd probably be better off with the granny 4 speed. Especially if you rarely cruise the highway. Of course you propably wouldn't be able to do 80mph on the HW with the 4 speed

. . . .Man this is an old thread. . . .

 

Ya your right I only go 90 KM/H on the highway...which is probably about 60 or 65 MPH?!!?? So I just want something where I don't have to drop every gear to get some speed. I feel she's a dog with my 3.55's but really I like the idea of a close tranny and bull dog low is a good option. I can buy this truck from my buddy for $500.

It includes: 4.56 gears front and rear, 302 motor, 4 speed borg warner tranny, unsure of the t-case, and a decent body. Do you think its worth $500?

 

I would snap it up in a heart beat. Just because I love junk You should be able to part out the rest of the truck to make back what you spend if all you need is the tranny. What truck is it?

 

I think its an 1989 or 1988 frame with an 1992 or 1993 body. The running gear is I believe 1989 or 1988. It sounds alright. Would the 4speed work if I used both the tranny and the driveshaft?

 

Depends on what the truck is. 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton? You may run into problems since your truck has an 8.8 rear, and maybe his has a 10.25?

 

no we both have 1/2 tons. 8.8's for both of us.