which 4 speeds interchange?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
which 4 speeds interchange?
I'm getting my '85 F150 4x4 with the 300 ready for highway use. It currently has a NP435 trans. It seems like the engine is screaming at 65, so I'd like to find a 4 spd with overdrive to calm it down on the highway. I don't really plan to use the truck for towing, I just use it for camping trips and light off roading. I've noticed a couple of f150's and Bronco's in the junk yard with 4spd overdrive trannys...it looks like the shifters on these have a coupling about a quater of the way up the shifter. Are these a direct swap? I really don't want to mess with changing out driveshafts and whatnot. I searched the forums and really didn't find much info on these.
Thanks for any info!
Thanks for any info!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I don't think you would be very happy with a 4 speed overdrive swap.
A ZF 5 speed would be better of a swap, I would think.
What are your axle ratios? It may be more viable to change ratios than trannies if you have extremely low ratios.
A ZF 5 speed would be better of a swap, I would think.
What are your axle ratios? It may be more viable to change ratios than trannies if you have extremely low ratios.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
I have 3.55's for gearing. How big of a difference is the ZF in length? What do I need to change around? Driveshafts? Crossmembers? I have a hydraulic clutch so that makes it easier. What about the M5OD? These are all over the place in yards in this area.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
3.55 gears are a little low for the 300. 3.25's would be better, but a 5 speed conversion could help that.
Mostly it should be a bolt on swap, with just moving the cross member back, and possible flywheel, clutch, and floor pan differences. Having a donor 4x4 truck with the 300-6 and ZF or M50d, with the same wheelbase, where you could get the needed parts would be ideal.
I think you would feel better with a ZF instead of the M50D, but if there are plenty of M5OD's for you to choose, then that would factor into it too and would take less mods with it being a F-150.
Here are a few threads that cover this project in more detail.
Here is a great thread about the ZF Conversion. It uses a big block ZF, but for your 300 the ZF should be easier to find.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-pictures.html
As for the M5OD... Here is a few searches with information.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Search Results
Also check out the transmission forum on this website for some more help.
Mostly it should be a bolt on swap, with just moving the cross member back, and possible flywheel, clutch, and floor pan differences. Having a donor 4x4 truck with the 300-6 and ZF or M50d, with the same wheelbase, where you could get the needed parts would be ideal.
I think you would feel better with a ZF instead of the M50D, but if there are plenty of M5OD's for you to choose, then that would factor into it too and would take less mods with it being a F-150.
Here are a few threads that cover this project in more detail.
Here is a great thread about the ZF Conversion. It uses a big block ZF, but for your 300 the ZF should be easier to find.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-pictures.html
As for the M5OD... Here is a few searches with information.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Search Results
Also check out the transmission forum on this website for some more help.
