Shift points for ZF5?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Shift points for ZF5?
I'm driving a 89 F250 4x4 7.3/zf5 190 miles home. It's been awhile since I drove standard and I've never driven a standard diesel. What are the common shift points? Anything to watch for?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
You make full torque around 1600rpm, and, at least for me, it starts dropping beyond 2000.
If you upshift at 1600, it usually puts you around 1300, which works, but no real power.
If you upshift at 2000, puts you around 1600, so you're still in your power band(but, to me, sounded a bit loud).
Honestly, just play with it. These engines are great for lugability, and will produce power down to idle. I've cruised along in 5th at ~1100rpm before, but have to downshift if I want to accelerate or go up a steep hill.
BTW, if it's a stock truck, 60mph is about 2000RPM, which may sound a bit fast but is fine. I hear these engines can run just fine pushing the 3500rpm limiter, and hear about people running for hours that way, but /I/ would never do that.
If you upshift at 1600, it usually puts you around 1300, which works, but no real power.
If you upshift at 2000, puts you around 1600, so you're still in your power band(but, to me, sounded a bit loud).
Honestly, just play with it. These engines are great for lugability, and will produce power down to idle. I've cruised along in 5th at ~1100rpm before, but have to downshift if I want to accelerate or go up a steep hill.
BTW, if it's a stock truck, 60mph is about 2000RPM, which may sound a bit fast but is fine. I hear these engines can run just fine pushing the 3500rpm limiter, and hear about people running for hours that way, but /I/ would never do that.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. It will be mostly Highway driving from MN up to Canada. So when I'm doing 60 leave it in 5th unless going up hills? When starting off in 1st, what's the ideal rpm to let the clutch out? Is there any tricks to the ZF5 like getting into 1st and reverse or is it basically like shifting a gas 5 speed?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
I, too, shift at between 1800-2000 usually. 2000 sounds loud if you're not used to the diesel, but after a while you get used to the feel and sound. But anywhere between 1200 and 3000 is a good, useable range depending on load, etc.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Poway, CA
Just remember the correlation between RPM and speed is dependent upon rear end ratio. I once saw someone post a PDF copy of some tech literature on the ZF. The only real warning I remember was to not spend prolonged time under 1000 RPM. Where I shift depends on how slow/lazy I'm feeling. Usually I wind her up to about 2K, but sometimes it's more like 1600. Either works, but with my non-WG Banks, the lower RPM drops me out of boost and can take a couple seconds to build after the shift. Not a huge deal if I'm feeling slow, but something to avoid when I'm trying hustle a bit or have a load.
Mike
Mike
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: central illinois
I shift mine at 2k rpm. Seems to like it there the best. I have 4.10 gears and have had it well over 85 mph with no problem. It's like riding a bike at first you will wobble but it will all come back to you. Listen to what the truck is telling you and you'll know when to shift. Best of luck on the trip. Post pics up when you can. Looking forward to seeing the truck.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Will do. How do I post pics? I was going to when I was first looking at the truck but can't figure out how to. I didn't see a manage attachments tab? Also how many miles will the truck go roughly on one fill up? I'm driving 190 miles and will be going through some small towns that may or may not have diesel. So I want to plan my stops ahead of time based on fuel availability. It's a reg cab long box 4x4 and it will have a plow in the box. I don't know the ratio's yet. Just a rough ballpark will be good.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
You should be able to easily get 190 miles on one tank.
I have a smaller ~16 gallon front tank and have no problem getting 200 miles before I fill up.
I don't really watch the RPMs when I shift, but I'm usually going to 3rd ~15mph, 4th ~25, and into 5th about 35mph. Thats with 3.55 gears.
I have a smaller ~16 gallon front tank and have no problem getting 200 miles before I fill up.
I don't really watch the RPMs when I shift, but I'm usually going to 3rd ~15mph, 4th ~25, and into 5th about 35mph. Thats with 3.55 gears.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 17
Upload them to Photobucket or a similar photo hosting service then post the links to the photos here.
Will do. How do I post pics? I was going to when I was first looking at the truck but can't figure out how to. I didn't see a manage attachments tab? Also how many miles will the truck go roughly on one fill up? I'm driving 190 miles and will be going through some small towns that may or may not have diesel. So I want to plan my stops ahead of time based on fuel availability. It's a reg cab long box 4x4 and it will have a plow in the box. I don't know the ratio's yet. Just a rough ballpark will be good.
Thanks.
Thanks.