Transmission swap question
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Freshman User
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Transmission swap question
Hey guys I have a question that's been on my mind for a while. I have an 86 f150 with the trusty 300 and the heavy duty c6 transmissions. Now the c6 is doing its job and my mpg is pretty good to me. I find myself doin more interstate driving and i was considering a t5 or zf5 transmission swap to squeeze everything out . A pro is definitely the od gear. Anybody have any input on this. Also my truck has 3.08 gears and stock tires and even if I don't gain anything I still have been contemplating the swap bc I like manuals. I don't do much towing but at times I do drive spirited. I know the t5 isn't the most robust transmission but could it be built better without goin bankrupt? What about the zf5? Where can i find those transmissions and what all do I need to pull with the trans? Do I need to pull the trans , drive shaft, pedal assembly, and any other kind of misc lines and stuff ? Thanks for entertaining the thoughts I have.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
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From: Near Los Angeles
The ZF5 will bolt to 300. In fact, it came on some 300's. You just need to find one that was on a 300 or 351 and it will bolt up. You'll need to change your pedal cluster to that from a manual, and change your drive shaft. Your mount/cross member will need to be modded, and you'll have to install a slave cylinder for the clutch. It would be good to find a donor vehicle and just pull everything, the flywheel, d.shaft, cross member, floor shift plate, pedal assembly, and slave cylinder.
Do a search on this forum. There on many threads on the subject. Good luck. *Note: If you search around, you should be able to find a good sb ZF (2x) for about $300-$500.
Do a search on this forum. There on many threads on the subject. Good luck. *Note: If you search around, you should be able to find a good sb ZF (2x) for about $300-$500.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Sacramento
Also being as you rarely tow anything you can use one of the mazda 5 speeds, its only a medium duty but if you were honestly considering a T5 youd probably be far better off with a M5od as a alternative to a Zf5. With a T5 you'd need to find one of the WC boxes, then preferably the tail shaft off of a S10 T5. Plus they don't like to hold up to the torque generated and usually required to move something as heavy as a truck.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
Is it a 2x4 or a 4x4?
The 2x4 ZF5 is much less sought after than the 4x4 version, so they can be had for relatively cheap.
As said though, if you don't do much towing, don't need a granny gear, and just do normal every day driving, a Mazda M5OD might be a better option. Their downfall is the poor design on the fluid plugs so you want to check them carefully. The plugs are rubber and will dry and crack, then all the fluid pours out and the trans burns up. Easy, easy fix by swapping them for brass plugs, but if one's had this happen, you want to avoid it.
The ZF has a lower overdrive than the M5OD.
M5OD is 0.80:1
ZF5 is 0.76:1
Not that that makes too much difference.
The 2x4 ZF5 is much less sought after than the 4x4 version, so they can be had for relatively cheap.
As said though, if you don't do much towing, don't need a granny gear, and just do normal every day driving, a Mazda M5OD might be a better option. Their downfall is the poor design on the fluid plugs so you want to check them carefully. The plugs are rubber and will dry and crack, then all the fluid pours out and the trans burns up. Easy, easy fix by swapping them for brass plugs, but if one's had this happen, you want to avoid it.
The ZF has a lower overdrive than the M5OD.
M5OD is 0.80:1
ZF5 is 0.76:1
Not that that makes too much difference.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 330
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From: Sacramento
Yah uses the same clutch setup as a ZF5 it wouldn't be any harder then a ZF5 swap just swap out the peddle assembly for one with a clutch, setup the clutch master cylinder bolt the transmission in place and mod the driveline to fit. I would aim for a older M5 so it would have a speedo gear and not a electric speedo setup.
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Freshman User
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Joseph thanks an I love ur truck. Also in what vehicles did the m5od trans come in? An do u guys shorten your own driveshaft or do talk tabs measurements and send it off? I saw on extreme 4x4 how to do it an won't mind trying it out.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Sacramento
I'd have someone else do it unless you have the right setup if it isn't done right it can cause all kinds of problems and I think the earliest they started with the 5speed transmissions was 87 or 88 for a 2wd probably a f150/250.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
Around 87 or 88, as Joeseph said. They came in Broncos and F150s. If they were 250s or 350s, I think those automatically got the ZF5.
If you can find one in the same truck you have, you can grab the drive shaft along with it and not have to worry about modifying yours.
If you can find one in the same truck you have, you can grab the drive shaft along with it and not have to worry about modifying yours.
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