5 Speed Swap?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Owensboro, KY
5 Speed Swap?
Hey guys, me again. It seems that the C4 behind my 302 is on it's way out, and rather quickly at that. I've always wanted a standard, so I figured I'd go that route rather than finding another C4 or having mine rebuilt. I would like a 5 speed definitely, so what vehicles should I look for? From what I understand, the 5 speeds were offered in the '90s and I'd have to get the correct pedal assembly and linkages and such from my year range. I'm not too worried about how "heavy duty" it is, as I hardly ever haul much and I don't ever tow anything. Any tips to get me headed in the right direction, and what transmission I should choose? If it's at all possible, I'd like to gain as many MPG as I can, since I hit the highway a lot. Thanks in advance for any and all help/input.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Always a good topic.
There were 2 different 5 speeds offered in the later year trucks. An M50D for light duty F150's and a ZF5 for F250 & F350's. While both are good the ZF5 is better for hauling. Neither are 'performance' transmissions. The M50D has a couple of nagging problems that need to be addressed, sloppy shifting and leaking, and both are easily resolved.
I put a M50D in my truck. Was pretty straight forward except for 2 things that aren't straight swaps. The pedal linkage should be from a 86 & older or at least get the pedal linkage to resevoir push rod bracket from a 86 and older. Then you also have to fab up your crossmember. Both are not extremely difficult.
It's easier to get a donor truck.
I'm pleased with mine.
There were 2 different 5 speeds offered in the later year trucks. An M50D for light duty F150's and a ZF5 for F250 & F350's. While both are good the ZF5 is better for hauling. Neither are 'performance' transmissions. The M50D has a couple of nagging problems that need to be addressed, sloppy shifting and leaking, and both are easily resolved.
I put a M50D in my truck. Was pretty straight forward except for 2 things that aren't straight swaps. The pedal linkage should be from a 86 & older or at least get the pedal linkage to resevoir push rod bracket from a 86 and older. Then you also have to fab up your crossmember. Both are not extremely difficult.
It's easier to get a donor truck.
I'm pleased with mine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I don't know anything about the M5OD, but have done a lot of reading about the ZF5. In fact, I have one that I will be putting in Dad's '81. But, it is a bigger, heavier transmission and I would bet the M5 is better for your needs.
Having said that, if you find a ZF5 for a small block with all the accessories, like clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder for a good price you might want to think about it. There are others on FTE that are far more qualified than I on the ZF, but I believe the small block version is close to a bolt-in for you - with the exception of the pedal assembly, although that is apparently the same as for the M5.
Having said that, if you find a ZF5 for a small block with all the accessories, like clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder for a good price you might want to think about it. There are others on FTE that are far more qualified than I on the ZF, but I believe the small block version is close to a bolt-in for you - with the exception of the pedal assembly, although that is apparently the same as for the M5.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
It is preffered to get a ZF5, as it the most durable one. But with good maintenance, the M5OD will work fine.
One thing, while you have the trans. in your hands, REPLACE the 3 rubber plugs facing the back on the shift tower.
They are rubber, they crack, and leak, and only leak as you drive. You end up running the tranny to low on fluid, it fry it.
That is the #1 cause of failure of it.
Ford sells an upgrade on this, using 3 copper plugs, instead of the rubber ones.
Heres what i'm talking about.
Now this is accessible with the transmission in the truck, by removing the floor hump.
You will need a 82-86 hydraulic pedal assembly as well. And with this tranny, you will gain a solid 2-3mpg!
One thing, while you have the trans. in your hands, REPLACE the 3 rubber plugs facing the back on the shift tower.
They are rubber, they crack, and leak, and only leak as you drive. You end up running the tranny to low on fluid, it fry it.
That is the #1 cause of failure of it.
Ford sells an upgrade on this, using 3 copper plugs, instead of the rubber ones.
Heres what i'm talking about.
Now this is accessible with the transmission in the truck, by removing the floor hump.
You will need a 82-86 hydraulic pedal assembly as well. And with this tranny, you will gain a solid 2-3mpg!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
It is preffered to get a ZF5, as it the most durable one. But with good maintenance, the M5OD will work fine.
One thing, while you have the trans. in your hands, REPLACE the 3 rubber plugs facing the back on the shift tower.
They are rubber, they crack, and leak, and only leak as you drive. You end up running the tranny to low on fluid, it fry it.
That is the #1 cause of failure of it.
Ford sells an upgrade on this, using 3 copper plugs, instead of the rubber ones.
Heres what i'm talking about.
Now this is accessible with the transmission in the truck, by removing the floor hump.
You will need a 82-86 hydraulic pedal assembly as well. And with this tranny, you will gain a solid 2-3mpg!
One thing, while you have the trans. in your hands, REPLACE the 3 rubber plugs facing the back on the shift tower.
They are rubber, they crack, and leak, and only leak as you drive. You end up running the tranny to low on fluid, it fry it.
That is the #1 cause of failure of it.
Ford sells an upgrade on this, using 3 copper plugs, instead of the rubber ones.
Heres what i'm talking about.
Now this is accessible with the transmission in the truck, by removing the floor hump.
You will need a 82-86 hydraulic pedal assembly as well. And with this tranny, you will gain a solid 2-3mpg!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Oh yes, if you go with a hydraulic clutch system, meaning a master and slave cylinder, you have to have a reinforcing plate on the firewall where the master cylinder bolts. That's because the firewall wasn't designed for the concentrated load the MC puts on it and will eventually crack. Do some searching on the forum for that.
But, I'm told you can make the ZF5 work with a mechanical clutch linkage, and that won't put additional load on the firewall beyond what it was designed for, so no reinforcing is needed. I'm planning to do that when I install the ZF, and it should work on the M5 as well.
But, I'm told you can make the ZF5 work with a mechanical clutch linkage, and that won't put additional load on the firewall beyond what it was designed for, so no reinforcing is needed. I'm planning to do that when I install the ZF, and it should work on the M5 as well.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Can't do that with a M5OD. The slaves are internal on those trannies. Same goes for the small block ZF.
But it's easy to convert a big block ZF to mechanical linkage though, as the big block, and Diesel ZF use an external slave.
OP - heres my write up on that firewall plate Gary is talking about. Forgot to mention it, thanks Gary!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11358654
But it's easy to convert a big block ZF to mechanical linkage though, as the big block, and Diesel ZF use an external slave.
OP - heres my write up on that firewall plate Gary is talking about. Forgot to mention it, thanks Gary!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11358654
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Can't do that with a M5OD. The slaves are internal on those trannies. Same goes for the small block ZF.
But it's easy to convert a big block ZF to mechanical linkage though, as the big block, and Diesel ZF use an external slave.
OP - heres my write up on that firewall plate Gary is talking about. Forgot to mention it, thanks Gary!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11358654
But it's easy to convert a big block ZF to mechanical linkage though, as the big block, and Diesel ZF use an external slave.
OP - heres my write up on that firewall plate Gary is talking about. Forgot to mention it, thanks Gary!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11358654
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