I have a 1989 F-150 4x4 302 w/ Mazda 5-speed. I plan on replacing the Mazda with a ZF. Does anyone have one they want to sell? Does anyone want to buy a working Mazda 5-speed? The best price I could find for a rebuilt ZF is $1495 from National Drivetrain Inc. out of Chicago. They will take my "working mazda w/ 93000 miles" for the $500 core charge, plus free shipping to Michigan, & no sales tax.
Is $1495 a good deal?
Thanks.

 

Bubba

Thanks for the correction on the torque figures for the ZF in the earlier post for tranny suggestions.

The price you have for the ZF is about right for a rebuilt. If they will take the Mazda for the core charge even better. How long is the warranty on the rebuilt? I purchaed my ZF rebuilt out of OR and have a one year unlimited mileage warranty. They replaced the first one no charge and no problems due to noise in the gears.

In an earlier post (I think about a month age in this forum) there was a mention of purchasing a NEW ZF for $1,400 through (I think) fordparts.com. You may want to look for the post or contact fordparts. It seems too good to be true. Used ZF's with no warranty at the junkyards were going for about $1,000 (when I could find them)when I was looking. In the long run the warranty worked best for me.

 

Slowsix,

The warranty National Drivetrain Inc out of Chicago gives is 12 months unlimited milage.

I really don't like rebuilds, I'm going to try FordPartsOnline and see if the $1400 for a new ZF is for real. I find it hard to believe. I read somewhere Ford buys the ZF for around $1000 for use in new trucks. I'll let you know what they say.

 

Slowsix,
I called FordPartsOnline, they weren't very helpful. He said he needed a Ford Part Number to price it. I asked him to ballpark the cost, and I said that I could get a rebuild from National Drivetrain for $1495 delivered....he said he couldn't even get close....so I abruptly thanked him for his help (or lack of) and hung up the phone. It was almost like I was wasting his time. Boy, with that kind of attitude they will be out of business in a year!

 

How much better is the ZF than the Mazda 5 speed mine is making a winding noise and im looking for a stronger tranny is there one out there to fit a 300 I6?

Thx Michael

 

I got a rebuilt S5-42 from Truck Parts Inc. in Charlotte, NC. It came with a 2 year warranty. They are great folks to deal with. I didn't buy the tranny. I traded them a new diesel version of the S5-42 for the rebuilt for a 460 motor, but they were very cooperative compared to any other source I previously talked with. Give them a try.
1 (800) 874-4327
Good luck,
-Walt
Raleigh, NC

 

A few months ago, this transmission shop from north Florida had an auction going on eBay, so I emailed them about an S5-42 for my '89. They said $1295 exchange.(no idea of how much the core is) I was going to pick up the trans my self, so I cant say how much shipping...
They offer a 12 month-unlimited miledge warranty...

Their webpage is:
http://www.mantrans.com
Phone # (877)626-8726 (toll free)


Jon
1989 F-150 XL- 4x4, 302, M50D
1995 Bronco Eddie Bauer- 351W, E40D

 

Jon & Walt,
Thanks for the leads on a ZF tranny. I'll check them out. National Drivetrain in Chicago is still probably my best bet since they are less than 140 miles away.

Michael,
I've been reading rumblings on this site and others that the ZF is somewhat troublesome. I called Weller Truck parts in Grand Rapids, MI and they mentioned that he has seen more ZF trannies replaced/rebilt than the Mazda. Is it because the ZF is in heavy duty commercial trucks driven by people who could care less about grinding gears? My brother-in-law had a ZF in his 1990 diesel F-250 and never had a lick of trouble with it. Any tranny is going to develop problems if you don't operate it correctly.

Bubba

 

Bubba

Been out for a while. How is the search for the ZF going? I thought the $1400 for a new ZF was too good to be true. I found that when looking for a ZF for an F150 was an exercise in futility. Once I started asking for a ZF for a F250 with a 4.9 it became easier. Just a hint for what it its worth (free - not worth much)

Michael,

The ZF should work great for the 300, as Bubba stated in an earlier post the ZF can handle up 400 (?) lbs. of torque - the 300 should never approach that. It is used in larger trucks (F250/350) and commercial applications. Just realize that unless you are keeping the truck for a long time the cost will probably not be worth it.

 

Slowsix,

Yes, $1495 at National Drivetrain in Chicago is the best deal I can find. They will ship it for free and give full core charge credit for my M5OD POS. I just have to pay for shipment of my tranny to them. It is probably cheaper for me to drive to Chicago and deliver it since I'm only a couple hours away.

The only thing holding me back is a cold garage and not wanting to unload $1895 (rebuilt ZFtranny + core charge). I think I'll wait 'till April or May......I'll have my tax return by then!

Thanks.

 

Bubba

When you get around to changing the tranny make sure of the driveshaft and u joints. I went froma T18 to the ZF so I needed to have a new driveshft made (I had the aluminum driveshaft with pressed yolks for the u joints). I also had to use a step joint for the front u joint. My crossmember had to be reworked but with the Mazda tranny it may be the same. Good luck when you begin. If I can do it (a true amatuer) it should be easy for you

 

I found a rebuilt zf s542 at phoenixhardparts.com for $1050. Just thought you might be interested.

Alex

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Feb-02 AT 06:36 PM (EST)]Anyone deal with Phoenix Hard Parts?? I need a C6 for my Bronco and am strongly thinking about using a ZF for my 300 or World Class T5. They are the cheapest I've found around. OR, I might end up with a 700R4 auto....yeah, I know it is a GM


Chris

 

I know a friend of mine who got a AOD from pheonix. He is very pleased with the new tranny and says its good and strong. I reckon their 12 month warranty only goes if you take the truck in to a shop to have it installed. I dunno about manual tranies. I ben thinkin bout swappin my old weak AOD for a 4 speed on my 84 f 150 302. Any suggestions or part numbers on the 4 speed w/ overdrives that bolt up to the early 302s?

 

A question about torque...one of you stated earlier that the ZF can handle up to 400lbs/ft of torque. doesn't the PSD exceed that? At least with a chip i think it does. just wondering!

rotorhead