Transmission swap
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Transmission swap
Hello, i am new to the forums but read up quite a bit and have found it to be very helpful. My question is in regards to my 85 f250 5.0 efi Manual transmission pickup, as of lately the trans lost 3rd gear. i believe the current transmission is the borg t-18 4 speed; however, i am hoping there is a 5 speed out there that will drop right in if possible..i have been looking at the zf 542s and the m5s but have not heard weather they will drop in but would very much appreciate any info that could lead me in the right direction. thank you!
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From: Virginia
Any of those trannies will fit, but you always run into little things that you need. The most fool-proof way to swap your tranny is to buy a donor pickup with the tranny you want. Make sure you get a truck with a 300/302/351w if you are going to install a 5 speed. They all have integral bellhousings, so you have to get the right one to fit your engine.
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Texas
I second the donor truck suggestion... or atleast pull all the parts from the same truck at the salvage yard.
Aside from the obvious parts required for mating the trans to the engine, you might have to get the driveshaft length changed, which is a simple, and cheap 1-day job for most driveline shops. The transmission crossmember/mount might be different, but if you swipe it from the donor truck, it should bolt right in to your truck.
If I were doing this job, I'd find a complete truck in a junkyard with the same wheelbase as my truck. Same engine family (302/351) as my truck. I'd take everything from the flywheel to the rear U-joint, including the slave cylinder/master cylinder, shifter, speedo cable, crossmember, driveshaft, all the nuts & bolts. It'd make the job much easier to have everything. I've considered converting from automatic to 5spd in mine. At the local pick-a-part, all those parts would cost me around $175 and a few hours at the yard.
Aside from the obvious parts required for mating the trans to the engine, you might have to get the driveshaft length changed, which is a simple, and cheap 1-day job for most driveline shops. The transmission crossmember/mount might be different, but if you swipe it from the donor truck, it should bolt right in to your truck.
If I were doing this job, I'd find a complete truck in a junkyard with the same wheelbase as my truck. Same engine family (302/351) as my truck. I'd take everything from the flywheel to the rear U-joint, including the slave cylinder/master cylinder, shifter, speedo cable, crossmember, driveshaft, all the nuts & bolts. It'd make the job much easier to have everything. I've considered converting from automatic to 5spd in mine. At the local pick-a-part, all those parts would cost me around $175 and a few hours at the yard.
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So even a truck with a 300 inline's transmission would bolt up to my 302? It doesn't matter with one being a v8 and the other a straight six? also Would i need a new transfer case as well or would that bolt up with the other transmissions? how bout the shift stick, being that the ones in the 85 are zig zag and the most others just a straight shaft, would that cause any problems? thank you for taking the time and info!
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
To clarify, the 351W does (but not the M or C):
List of Ford bellhousing patterns - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Ford bellhousing patterns - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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From: Virginia
Transfer case will bolt up to any tranny that was in a Ford pickup, so long as the new tranny you swap in is a 4x4 tranny.
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What about the adapter between the transfer case and the transmission?
Would i use the original adapter or use the adapter that comes with the new transmission?
thank you for the help guys!
Would i use the original adapter or use the adapter that comes with the new transmission?
thank you for the help guys!
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From: Virginia
The only reason to use another adapter is 4x4 shifter type/placement. Otherwise, they will all bolt together(engine/tranny). There are other small differences also, like tranny/transfer case crossmembers and brackets. The major components will bolt in, it's the little stuff you have to watch for.
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Hi guys, ive got a 94 f150 with the m5OD transmission and wondered what you thoughts are on putting the m5od in my 85 f250 reg cab long box? would that transmission hold up alright? also are the m5od's known to have a good reputation? thanks!
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From: New Zealand
In case you are not aware.......if you do use a donor truck, don't mix flywheels between 300, 302 or 351 engines - all have a different balance (except earlier 302's, which did match 351W's until sometime in 81) so can't be interchanged.
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From: Virginia
The M5OD is considered a light duty transmission, and was never offered in the larger f250. It's up to you if you want to swap it in and how you are going to use it. I am sure somewhere along the driveline you will have to get a adapter u-joint, since the f250 has a heavier stuff in it.
I have a 65 mustang that I swapped c4 trannies in, and the tranny I swapped in was from a six cylinder and mine has a 302. I was told the six cylinder tranny did not have as many clutch discs in the clutch packs, but I did it anyway and it has been in there for about 20 years now. It's all in how you use the vehicle.
I have a 65 mustang that I swapped c4 trannies in, and the tranny I swapped in was from a six cylinder and mine has a 302. I was told the six cylinder tranny did not have as many clutch discs in the clutch packs, but I did it anyway and it has been in there for about 20 years now. It's all in how you use the vehicle.
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