Borg warner - M5OD tranny swap

[kchaps72]

I've got 84 borg warner t-18, sitting behind a 300-6 the tranny's on it's way out and instead of rebuilding it I'd like to swap it for the M5OD. I recently had a new Luk clutch put into it and I'm not about to throw that away so I need to know whether or not they have compatible input shafts. BTW the M5OD is out of an 88 f250 with a 300-6 as well. Thnx for the help guys,
Kyle.

[johnboy427]

Do you mean a ZF, that is what came in the F250s if it is a M5 you don't really want it. Are they 4 wheel drives? I think the main problem you will have is getting the internal slave cylinder off the newer tranny to work. Does the 84 have a hydraulic clutch? If it does you will most likely have to do some custom plumbing if it has mechanical linkage you will have to figure out how to retro fit hydraulics into it. As for the input shafts they should be the same but I don't know about the pressure plates there may be some differences between due to the different linkage.
-Johnboy

[subs1000w]

your current clutch should work youll need a clutch pedal assembly from a 85 or 86 truck since those used hydralics and youll need the hydralic line from the 88 f250 it should all work fine though the only things im not sure about are the trans xmember may have to be modded and im pretty sure youll need the drive shaft moded also

[kchaps72]

I believe that is the M5 but I'm not sure, I'll have to see it to know, the wrecker just told me that it's the mazda 5-speed. My T-18 is a 2wd and has the hydraulic setup. I havn't had a chance to look at the donor truck yet but to the best of my knowledge it is a 2wd as well. I'm getting this all off a guy that does his own wrecking business and since the truck is going to be crushed soon, I can pull everything off the donor truck that I'll need. My main concern is where the shifter is going to come through the floor because I believe that it is further back than on the borg warner. Also I'd like to know your opinions on the M5, I've never had any experience with them, is this even worth the effort?

[johnboy427]

The first gear is really high so don't plan on pulling anything. It is the same tranny used in a ranger and not very strong in my experince. I swapped the one in my bronco out in favor of the ZF and it was worth every penny now I have a granny gear and an OD. It isn't the worlds worst tranny but if you are going to go through the trouble of swapping I wouldn't trade a bullet proof T-18 for an M5. The best way to tell the difference is the ZF has PTO plates on it and there is a tag that should say it is a ZF S5-42, there is also a ZF S5-47 but is is newer and uses the speedometer pick up in the rear axle so you wouldn't be able to hook up the speedometer if you go with a 47.
-Johnboy

[sclariat]

The Mazda trans in the rangers aren't quite the same as the 1/2 ton line. Mazda made a M5R1 and M5R2. The R2 is bigger and in the 1/2 ton line. I'll say this for the Mazda, it's one of the smoothest shifting transmission I've ever driven. It will also be quite a bit longer than the T18 so you'll definitely need a cross member. Same with the ZF.

[85e150six4mtod]

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Domestic Truck Tranny Guide