ZF 4x4 in a 4x2 major hurdles?

[Blue Rebel]

The bb and sb ZFs DO have in intergral bell housing, so NO, they are NOT interchangable between engines. BUT, that is at the front end of the transmission. I see no reason the back case would be different, bb and sb both used the same transfer cases

[Green_Monster]

then the big difference would be a longer driveshaft for a 4x4 zf in a 4x2 truck right?

[Blue Rebel]

No... a 4x4 ZF would need a shorter driveshaft due to the space taken up by the transfer case

[Ohio Ford Farm]

Originally Posted by Green_Monster

then the big difference would be a longer driveshaft for a 4x4 zf in a 4x2 truck right?

There is no provisions for a drive shaft to attach to the rear of the 4X4 ZF. You would have to get some sort of a kit ( like what there saying for the super duty's barking brake ) or you would have to install a transfer case on the end of the trans.

A 4X4 trans has a different tail housing and shaft then a 4X2. The 4X2 housing closes the end of the trans off and sets up for the drive shaft. Now a 4X4 keeps the housing open to allow oil to flow in and out of the transfer case ( most of the time not all are set up to do so I know ) and use different tail shaft that slips inside and drives the transfer case.

I thought the ZF had a fixed bell houseing? Im pretty sure mine does however its still bolted to the motor that ford bolted it to at the plant. A ZF for $400 I would buy a bunch and list on Ebay. I got mine for $400 when I bought a rolled truck. Are you SURE your looking at a ZF and not something eles? a ZF wil have a TON of webing in the casting on the sides of the trans.

[Sycostang67]

Originally Posted by Ohio Ford Farm

A 4X4 trans has a different tail housing and shaft then a 4X2. The 4X2 housing closes the end of the trans off and sets up for the drive shaft. Now a 4X4 keeps the housing open to allow oil to flow in and out of the transfer case ( most of the time not all are set up to do so I know ) and use different tail shaft that slips inside and drives the transfer case.

The adapter between the transmission and the transfercase is dry, there is no fluid exchange between the two. Both units are individually filled. If you find fluid in that adapter, then you have a leaking seal. I thought they had fluid in them until I did my first ZF swap and found out for myself.

[Blue Rebel]

^^^^Yup, the tailshaft housing is dry, no fluid swaps between the 2.

And for the second or third time, YES, the bellhousing IS CAST INTO THE ZF CASE!!!! IT IS NOT REMOVABLE OR SWAPPABLE!!!

[Green_Monster]

thanks for the info.......very helpful

[Ohio Ford Farm]

Originally Posted by Sycostang67

The adapter between the transmission and the transfercase is dry, there is no fluid exchange between the two. Both units are individually filled. If you find fluid in that adapter, then you have a leaking seal. I thought they had fluid in them until I did my first ZF swap and found out for myself.

Some are that way some are not. The info was not for just a ZF trans or this year. Hens why I said some are some are not. My 1976 F100 with a 390 and a C6 the trans fluid flowed between the two. I was just trying to point out and explain the difference in the tail shaft and housing between a 2 wheel and a 4 wheel. Maybe I should have kept the info necked down to just a ZF set up.

[Sycostang67]

I see now you did mention that, shame on me. I haven't done any driveline work on an older truck, all the older trucks I've owned never needed any major work, just regular maintenance. I learned something new today.