I am posting this for a friend who has no computer. He has a '95 F-350 2WD PSD with a 4 speed and OD. He just purchased the truck a couple of months ago and has found that Granny and Reverse are too high geared. He wants to know what he should do. He has 4:10 rear gears and pulls tons of weight. He's afraid that the clutch will go soon.

 

There were 2 versions of the ZF S5-42 transmission, and the ratios are different. He might be able to swap or have his rebuilt with the lower gears. Otherwise, he can regear the rear axle or put on smaller tires to bring the speed down. If he changes tire size, tell him to read this thread to reset the speedometer.

 

Steve, you reckon it could be an S5-47? Since he's out and about I have to look at each possibility. I was thinking that maybe he could find a junker and just remove the 1st and reverse gears. He has already tried the smaller tires and that didn't work and really wants to stay with the 4:10's or 4:11's - don't really know which he has. If I'm not mistaken the gears he has now is like 3.? ratio and he really needs like a 5.? ratio for the first and reverse gears. Still trying to figure it out.

 

I'm not THAT familiar with the ZFs. I wanted one years ago, but I've figured how to work around it cheaper, so I lost interest. I posted the 42's ratios a while back, though - have you searched?