Hi-

I know, I know where you think this is going. I have (had now, actually) an E-350 box van for my computer recycling business. The transmission has gone south, so I'll be without it for a while.

That leaves me with pickups to do. My other truck is a 1995 F-150 Flareside. It's the regular cab, 2x4 version. It has the 300 Inline-6, a 3.31 gear ratio (I know!), and the M5OD.

I'll be towing the back half of a GMC. The load will be up to 3000-3500# max, so it should be doable.

I put new rear shocks on the truck to stop the bouncing rear end. That seemed to help. What else should I do?

I'll check the front brake pads to make sure they're safe. I'm not too versed in towing with the M5OD. Anything else I should check?

I'm not looking for speed, or to tow way over the truck's safe limit (I think Ford rated it to tow 3500#). I'd just like some quick tips on how to make it the job as well as possible.

Any tips would be great!

 

The 300 (4.9L) will tow the Titanic (including the seawater).

The M5OD is your weakest link. Check the fluid level. There's 3 rubber plugs at the top of the transmission that tend to let the fluid weep out. Once the fluid gets low, the bearings start going rather quickly.

While you're having the Van's transmission redone, consider asking the transmission shop to source a ZF for the truck to replace the M5OD.

 

i dont know what tranny your cube van has, and markets do differ, but around here, good used c6 trannys grow on trees ... could be cheaper and quicker to get yours back on the road than to whip the f150 into shape.

that aside, make sure that the trailer sits level.

 

We're still up in the air on the van. I'm having a friend who's a welder look at the frame. It was a Pennsylvania truck, so the rust worries me. I'll wait on his opinion before I do anything. The van has the 5.4 Triton/4R100 setup.

I'll definitely check the fluid. I'm assuming a 5-speed is filled the same way as an automatic is (Dipstick in the hood)?

Do I just use regular Dex/Merc on it, or is there a "manual transmission fluid?"

Do I need a cooler for this type of weight (3500# max)?

The trailer actually sits pretty level. I've towed it short distances before with this truck, but my recycling runs can be 300 mile round trips. I'll make sure to test it with a load before I dive into using it.

Any other ideas?

 

M5OD has no dipstick. You have to crawl under the truck. There's a fill plug and a drain plug. Open the fill plug and stick your finger in. If you finger is dry, add fluid until it drips out the fill hole.




Yup, plain old Dextron/Mercon ATF. IIRC, it takes about 4 quarts total.


I've never seen a transmission cooler for an M5OD. I don't think you can do it easily as the fluid is always self-contained in the transmission. I don't think there's a real "pump" for the fluid either. So, I'm not sure how you could add a cooler unless you include an external pump and drill some holes in the transmission case.

 

OK, no cooler it is!

I'll check the transmission fluid tomorrow. How often should it be replaced? I've never done it, and I have doubts on the last owner

 

That's a good question. I don't believe that Ford has a change interval listed for the M5OD.

I put in about 4 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF last year (about 9k miles ago). I figure I'll change it again when its no longer bright red colored.

 

When you are loaded you should tow in direct (4th) gear… with light loads you are OK with using overdrive.

 

What he said. Your pickup box trailer is light enough, I think you'd be fine in 5th empty. Loaded, use 4th.

you'll want to run the 300 at a lower rpm if possible. mine never liked higher rpm/speed like a v8.

3.31 gears won't help, but they'll get the job done.

make sure to check the brakes (front pads/rotors, rear drums/shoes). if you need new tires, make sure to go for the 6 ply on the rear. it should help make the rig feel more stable.

you may want a weight distribution hitch. my pickup bed trailer i had years ago never loaded nicely. it was either too tongue heavy or too light in the front.

don't forget to check the rear differential fluid- in both your f150 and the trailer.