Looking at finding a 5 speed manual trans to replace my 3 SPD auto. Its a 89 f350 with 5.8 and swr. Thought about changing the gearsbbut not sure where to start. Truck was giving to me with 98000 miles. I mainly use it to go to work and back. Looking at getting a little more MPGs out of it. What kind of chore am I looking at? Is it possible???

 

It's doable. You'll need the trans, pedals and a few other things, but it's more or less a bolt in. I'm sure someone here who's done it can post the exact list of what's needed. Is your truck 2 or 4 wheel drive?

You'll get some more mpg, but it'll take a while to see the money you spend converting back. At today's prices you'll save about $300-350 every 10k miles. So if it's strictly about saving money just leave it alone.

 

Yea not looking at doing this very moment just over time. Also have plans for the truck later on and would like to have a 5 speed in it. What about gearing, I don't tow anything but a small trailer everyonce in a while but would like to keep the torgue

 

What gear do you have now? A gear change can be very expensive, $1000+, if you cannot do it yourself or find a good working JY unit. Again, the pay back time can be very lengthy.

 

It's certainly possible! If you want a 5-speed, look at trucks in the same age range as yours. Easiest choices are the Mazda M5OD / M5R2 and the heavy-duty ZF5. The ZF5 has a granny first gear, if I'm not mistaken. That may not be necessary, and could negatively impact MPGs, depending on how you drive. I've heard that ZF5 owners can start out in 2nd gear if the axle ratio(s) are numerically high enough.

I think the Mazda M5OD / M5R2 has been around since before 1989. That being said, you might be able to get one from a newer truck with fewer miles. Junkyards should have some, you could pull one and get it rebuilt if you're not confident in its condition. You can easily remove the top cover of the transmission and look at the internals to spot any major defects (broken/damaged syncros being one) before you take one out of a truck.

I don't know much about the ZF5's. Both transmissions were available with the 5.8 V8. The M5OD was used in the half-ton (F150/E150) vehicles, while the ZF5 was used in the 3/4-ton vehicles (F250, E250 & up). The crossmembers are different, depending on the transmission you need. I'm sure you'd need a different-length driveshaft.

If you do go with a manual transmission, make sure you install a new clutch kit, master cylinder & slave cylinder. Seems like a no-brainer but I've known some people who seem to have very little brains....

It's a lot of work, no matter what! I wouldn't attempt it myself, but I'm not a very experienced mechanic, either. I agree that you won't see an amazing difference in fuel economy.

 

Thanks yea just a thought lol, was talking to buddy and he said keep 3 SPD an make a sleeper(no one would ever expect that) but yeaits more a toy than anything. While I'm asking why heads would interchange with the 5.8 efi?