im lookin at a 1996 f-150 with a 5.8L 351W 4x4 supercab with an auto transmission.
i was wondering what kind of effort it would take to swap it out to a manual.
would i need to swap the computer?
what about cruise (sp?) control?
whats a good 5-speed manual tranny?
i also dont know the rear axle ratios yet.

i know it would be alot of work but this truck is really nice except for the auto tranny.

ty

 

its not extremely hard to do. you will need a new computer, transmission harness, clutch flywheel, backing plate? maybe a new starter? i wouldn't use the tranny out of an f-150 what you wanna find is a zf 5spd its found in f-250's and f-350's and your gonna need one that had either a 4.9, 5.0 or 5.8 behind it so the bell housing will work. and you will probably also need new drive shafts although i cant say that for sure.

 

why would i need a new harness?
what is controlled by the computer in a manual tranny?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...azda-m5r2.html

That should be all the info you need.

 

thx that was a lot of help

 

Here's a pic somebody sent me when I did mine, I found this very helpful:



You will want to use a ZF trans behind the 351.

 

I don't know. :/

But I do keep seeing where you need to change that stuff out.
And I also keep reading where you don't need to do anything other
than fool the "automatic computer" into thinking the transmission is
in neutral.

Pros and cons from the two different methods would be cool to
know if anyone's every really worked out what those are. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

The harness for a ZF only goes to the switch for the backup lights - you could probably make that yourself if you had to.

You don't have to swap the ECM if you don't want to, but it will give you several (8 as I recall) codes complaining about how the trans is not talking to it.

 

thx for all the help
how much h.p and torque do u think the zf-5 will hold?

 

Alot. I think you could do some very serious modding before you have to worry about the ZF's limits. Its a stout trans. They put it behind 460's and deisels.

 

ZF S5-42 is rated to handle 420 foot pounds for the life of the truck.
ZF S5-47 is rated to handle 470 foot pounds for the life of the truck.

My '90 F250 parts truck with a 5.8 has the ZF S5-42.
My plan is to put a -plain Jane- "408" (351W 4" stroker) in front of it.
Not sure what mods I'll end up with but, the plan is to use a low-end
torque cam and that's it.

"a 300 I6 with two more cylinders" LOL :)
-Not- a friggin "racing engine" danggit! :/

YMMV ;)

Alvin in AZ

 

Hmmm...
That doesn't sound good if those have the effect of teaching
the computer to make changes to the operation of the engine. :/

Thanks for your reply, Jas. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

will a ZF trans bolt up to a 300 six or a 302?
In both 2WD and 4WD applications

 

Yes, if the ZF has the "right" built-on bell housing for them and
the 351w, which are all (for the most part) the same pattern.

Alvin in AZ

 

^^^^ Not just "for the most part." They ARE the same pattern. Any trans put behind an I-6 or 302 will bolt up to a 351W, and vice versa.