So, after getting all the info together from some very generous members on this forum (thanks again), I went back to the wrecking yard that has the ZF 5 speed transmission that I was looking at to buy. The first time I looked at the transmission about a week ago, I knew nothing about these things. Now...a little more. The transmission has no place on the back to hook up the drive shaft. It has, instead, a 6"-8" round collar out the back with a shaft sticking out with about 28-30 splines on it, and no place for the speedo cable. I'm assuming this transmission came out of a 4WD.

My question is, can I used this transmission in anyway on my 2WD 6.9 85 F-250? The same guy has another transmission with the same model number (ZF 5 s-42) that came out of an '88 4.9L gasser, with a drive shaft connection on the end of it. Could the back of the Transmission be put on the Diesel version of the ZF?

Thanks

Jonathan

 

If it's a 4x4 ZF, I'll bet if you post it up on CL or in the classifieds here, you'll find someone who will trade you straight across for a 2wd ZF. Don't know what all it takes to mod them, but seems it'd be an easier route.

 

someone may know for sure on here but it would really help if theyre were pics of the parts in question

 

You would need to swap the tailshaft housing on the gas trans for the transfer case adapter on the diesel trans but you would also have to swap over the tailshafts which is a ton of work.
One possible thing is if you could find a trans mounted parking brake, then it would bolt directly to the diesel 4x4 trans and would have a 2wd output.
The parking brakes would have been used on F450s.

 

I think I like my odds of finding someone who will trade me a 2WD for my 4WD transmission better. Wouldn't I have to shorten my driveline if I mounted the Trans mounted parking brake ?

Thanks

Jonathan

 

You're proably gonna have to mod your driveshaft anyway going to the zf, I'd be surprized if it's the same length as your old trans.

 

I say use a 4x4 trans and bolt a transfer case up to it. You'd be surprised how many times that "low" 1st gear ain't so low compared to a granny gear I think the 1st gear in the T19 and ZF5 close ratio transmissions is useless. Reverse in the ZF5 is even taller than the T19, which I find too tall.
I often times wish my 6.9 had a NP435 or T18 behind it when starting off with a load. I have a NP435 behind a 352 FE in my '65 F350, that thing is incredible in 1st and reverse...talk about torque!
It would be sweet if your 2wd truck had a transfer case. Drop it down in low when you got a load.
It's too bad, because that's exactly what I would do...actually, that's what I want to do with this 85 someday...

 

I love NP435s! My favorite transmission ever for trucks. I just wish it had overdrive.

 

I was under the impression that this would be a straight swap...Pull the T19, install the ZF. All I'd have to do was convert the flywheel through clutch release bearing to a Single mass setup, and I'd be back to work. Guess i was wrong. From the looks of things, i'm just gonna have to put in a new clutch kit, and keep the T-19.

 

cetane,

Where you located ??
I have a 2wd version, I need a 4x4 version.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Bakersfield, California

 

Road trip?????

 

If you were still a norcal resident, I would drive half way...but Maine...nah. I wonder how much freight would be...

 

That figures, I was there a week ago!
Though I didn't have the 2wd ZF with me.

Shipping would be a couple hundred bucks likely ... What a shame.

Road trip ... Yup, more then once!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Using a tailhousing parking brake from a super duty could be a problem on some of these trucks, as on most the tailstock joint is also a slip joint. With the parking brake, the slip joint is in the middle of the 2 piece driveshaft, and the u-joint bolts directly into cups, similar to the rear end connection.