Ok guys here is what I have: 1981 f100 custom 4.9 carbed with the 4speed manual transmission, an all stock truck. I was wondering what my options was for 5speed manual tranny swaps. What would the best transmission be for a daily driver application and still be fairly easy to swap over the weekend? Before I forget, the gears in the rear are also stock (couldnt tell you the ratio to save my life) and this is my first inline6 and im loving it. Thanks for any help and input

 

There's only two 5 speeds available.
There's the light duty Mazda M5OD, and the heavy duty ZF5.
The M5OD is a regular 5 speed with overdrive. The ZF is a granny gear, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and overdrive.

The biggest issue you're going to run into that's going to make it a bit more of a weekend project is the fact that your 81 has a mechanical clutch and both the M5OD and the ZF are a hydraulic clutch. You'll need a bit more than just the transmission to do the swap.

 

Nobody has ever tried to retrofit a HDT5 (i was told thats a mechanical trans) or any other transmission to it? Irregardless of the prior statement, please tell me what would be generally involved with the installation

 

I personally haven't heard of an HDT5. I imagine if it was an easy swap, you'd hear a lot more about it. The bolt pattern of the engine and the transmission have to match or they won't bolt together.

I haven't done the swap, but I believe you need all the hydraulics. Slave cylinder, etc. Possibly a different drive shaft because it'll be a different length. The clutch. And I believe you need the pedals from in the cab as well, since the way they connect to the clutch linkage is different.

Is yours a 2x4 or 4x4? You'll need to be sure to get a transmission for your setup. You'll also have to be sure to get one that's bolted to a 300, 302, or 351.

 

I meant to refer to the mechanical trannies that the mustangs uses, according to my research (correct me if im wrong). Its the 2wd model, short wheel base. You said out of the 300/302/351, would the bellhouse bolt to a tranny off one of those motors oris the bellhousing even removeable from my stock trans?

 

Your current bellhousing is removeable. The M5OD and ZF both have non-removeable bellhousings.
The bellhousing bolt pattern is the same for 300/302/351W, but the flywheel itself differes due to balance issues.
Both the M5OD and ZF are longer than your current trans, so a driveshaft swap or shortening would be required. The 460 ZF is said to be the same length, but won't bolt to your engine.

I've heard of T5 swaps, but that trans is a bit weak for truck use. Never heard of HD version.
I know of no other 5 speed trans that would be anywhere near as simple to swap.

The 460 and diesel ZF use an external slave, and are said to be relatively easy to convert to mechanical clutch. Not sure how difficult the M5OD or small block ZF would be to attempt this on, and both use an internal "concentric" slave.

 

Awesome info guys, thank you. I have heard of a heavy duty T5 being thrown around by my best friend/tech jon and was gonna be the trany of choice when we was gonna convert my '90 crown vic to a stick, but he said it was more of a specialty item but capable of handling "torqy" applications.

Dayton Performance: Product Information

thats all i have found on it but seems to be a heavier duty version of the t5 but i dont think it would be capable enough

 

Ahhh, aftermarket beefed up T5. That would explain it. Also highlights the weaknesses that everyone talks about with the standard T5. Good trans, for a lighter car, with stock-near stock power. Not so much for a heavy truck, especially one that will get used as a truck.

 

NV4500 transmission with one of these: NV4500 Transmission Bellhousing Adapter Plate | NV4500 For the costs, one will have to want this set-up really, really bad.

 

Very true Harte, but atleast there is hope. Tremec makes some medium/heavy duty transmissions but I doubt I would want to pay their prices. Its good to know there are other options besides the zf or m5od transmission out there should i get a wild hair and pursue it. Thanks ya'll

 

A T5 will work but you have to get a 157 tooth flywheel with zero balance. They're available through Summit for about $230. The 164 flywheel won't fit in the bellhousing. The Mustang T5 also uses a clutch cable.
I'm putting one in my '48, seems to me like a good trans behind the 6.
Brian

 

We used a adapter plate when putting a WC t5 with the shifter setup for the s10s into one of our older trucks, not sure if it would fit for your bellhousing being as your truck is newer but imho having driven that truck I think you'd be ahead to get a m5od, they're stronger even if not bullet proof and the hydraulic clutch isn't that hard.

 

Unless you plan to really baby it I don't think the T5 is going to hold up too well behind the 300 in a truck. If you are dead set on a car transmission go with a Tremec TKO ( $$$ ) . It will survive behind the 300 in a truck.



Another option would be adding an Advance Adpaters Ranger OD gear box in front of your current transmission. Not cheap ( around $1300 ) it would be the easiest to install. You'd have to move your transmission crossmember back some and have the driveshaft shortened. But you would have to mess with any of the clutch, bell housing or pedals. But I don't know if you would want the second shifter. I don't know what your are trying to do with your truck.

 

Does the diesel zf have a removable bellhousing?

Fordman, I've heard of the ranger od box before but would'nt have thought it wouldwork in my rig. Now I have to admit, twin-stick shifting sounds fairly awesome plus it would keep the wife from wanting to take it out for spin.

Tremec makes some medium duty transmissions, like the Easy-Shift 5/7 speed that seems to be a viable option if one hax the money to spend.

I would be willing to go hydraulic if it would make the conversion a little less painful. My overall goal is trying to findsomething other than the standard zf/m5 to stickbehind my 300 that would be perfect for a daily driver, not highperformance street/strip. It beinga heavier truck with considerable torque, a medium duty transmission seems to be the most viable. I want it to be easy driving in stop light to stop light (city driving) conditions and still have therange to get out on the interstate and easily do 75-80 without having to worry about it running high rpms during a 2 hour driveto jacsksonville florida.

I'm not trying to put down my current transmission, but I'm worried it wouldn't be a good option should I need to make a log haul. I hope this helps to clear up my intentions

 

No.

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