Needless to say i am looking for a zf s5-42 wide range transmission...my question is which years and what trucks did ford put them in? i would like to find one in a junk yard but don't want to look under every truck to see...thanks

 

For which engine--300-351w or 460?

Application info here, easier to post this than to copy or type it out:

Domestic Truck Tranny Guide

You have to scroll down quite a ways....

 

Well....i have a 302....i,ve been told that the 351 and 302 blocks are almost identical...it says in your link that they are used behind a 302 but would one behind a 351 work on the 302 or are there other demensions that restrict this set up? thanks alot for that link its sweet

 

The 302, 351 and 300 six all used the same bell housing pattern. You can use a ZF from a truck with any of those three engines, just make sure it matches your drivetrain, 4x4 or 4x2. The model year range you want to look for is 88-94.

 

Alright thanks alot for the input

 

And the ZF is generally only found in F250/350s. F150s and Broncos got the Mazda M5OD.

 

Thanks for the info...i am running with a 4-speed granny right now and am getting around 10mpg...if i get the zf 5 speed what kind of improvement am i looking at? 15-16mpg?

 

12 to 13 probably. You can't expect a 20% or so OD to deliver a 50% increase in MPG.

 

Well thats better than what i'm gatting now. but one can always hope for a 50% increase with a simple tranny swap...along those same lines how difficult will it be to swap from the 4 speed to 5 speed...what kind of issues will i run into? or will it be an in and out switch?

 

If your truck is like mine (2wd), you will need a new hydraulic hose, a 5-speed crossmember and support brackets, a new driveshaft, a new transmission tunnel cover that goes in the cab floor, and you'll have to fabricate a way to mount the shift boot. I also installed a new slave cylinder (Ford part is the best route) and a new speedometer gear (until I changed the drive gear on the output shaft).

 

Just want to add that the diesel ZF's have a separate bellhousing, so they won't match up. Might be useful for someone that finds this thread while searching.
Also, the ZF's found on F-superduty (F-450) 2wd trucks are actually 4wd ZF's with driveline brakes instead of transfer cases.

 

Correct, but the bell is not "separate" from the trans, it's that it has a different pattern. All ZFs are integral bells.

 

Sorry, thats what I meant, a 3rd bellhousing pattern.
So there is small block gas, big block gas, and diesel. Each could be either 2wd or 4wd depending on the tailhousing.