New Guy w/ ?'s
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New Guy w/ ?'s
Hey guys I have an 86 f150 2wd standard cab short wheel base 302efi with a t18 transmission. I bought this truck brand new when I was a senior in high school and it has 314,000 on it now. I still drive it everyday and NO plans of ever getting rid of it. The body is still in great shape. But it is getting about time to start doing some work to it. I all ready have a brand new long block assembly to put in it. I was thinking about going with a 5sd up grade. Witch is the better way to go m5od or zf? The only regret I have every had with the truck was that is was not 4wd. Can the swap be done? If so is it fairly straight forward and if so what year donner truck should I start looking for? And would it be best to find one with a 5sd and cover all my wants at one time?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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The choice of trans depends on what you do with the truck. The ZF is a MUCH stronger trans than the M5OD-R2. If you plan to carry heavy loads or towing, go with the ZF. For a daily driver that rarely pulls a load, the Mazda trans is fine.
The 4wd swap is a lot of work. I've never done it, but others have. There are probably threads here with details. The best way to do it would probably be to find a rusted out doner 4wd truck. Otherwise, you will need to track down all of the separate parts needed. I am not sure about the F150, but I think on the heavier trucks, 2wd uses coil springs on the front while the 4wd uses leaf springs. The frames are different. This may be the case on the F150 also.
The 4wd swap is a lot of work. I've never done it, but others have. There are probably threads here with details. The best way to do it would probably be to find a rusted out doner 4wd truck. Otherwise, you will need to track down all of the separate parts needed. I am not sure about the F150, but I think on the heavier trucks, 2wd uses coil springs on the front while the 4wd uses leaf springs. The frames are different. This may be the case on the F150 also.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You are correct. If you want to change over to a 5 speed, go ahead and get a donor 4x4 pickup with the tranny you want, and change it all over. If you go this route though, you will probably be stuck with the M5OD, since they are in the f150's, and that is what type of truck you need to change over to 4x4 so the 4x4 will be a bolt in.
If you want a zf, they are only found in the f250/350 trucks, and the frontend on these trucks will not fit your f150. There is no reason though, why you could not buy a donor f150, but get the zf 4x4 tranny only from a f250/350.
If you want a zf, they are only found in the f250/350 trucks, and the frontend on these trucks will not fit your f150. There is no reason though, why you could not buy a donor f150, but get the zf 4x4 tranny only from a f250/350.
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Thanks for the replies so far. Believe it or not the only thing ever done to the motor was that I replaced the timing chain at about 124,000. It was slapping the front cover by then. Other than that nothing else has ever been into. If she layed down on me today she owes me nothing. I would really like to do the 4wd swap but I will not do it if I have to hack the truck up. But if every thing bolts up I would like to do it. What models will I need to look for in a donor? Any thoughts, advise, tips or information on this subject will be appreciated
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