Hello forum members. I usually post on the 73-78 forum since I have a 75 F250.

I'm posting here b/c I thought there would be more knowledge of the ZF trans here.

I am about to covert my 75 f250 from c6 (2x) to ZF (2x). I have a 91 ZF supposedly in working order. I have already found a pro to rebuild it for $350 labor. But I'm bogged down in a sea of kits, bearing kits, synchro kits, short throw shifter kits, pilot bearing repair kits, reverse gear kit, etc., and I'm trying to make sure I don't get poor quality, aka Chinese.

I find some on ebay with quality bearings and Korean synchros. I really don't want to spend $600 for a good kit. Does anyone know a source for good, reasonably priced kits?

Thanks for your help.

 

A. Ask your "PRO" what he recommends

B. Call Dan from MidWest Trans and order a kit from him

 

Thanks for the information.

 

My experience proves that trying to save money on parts WILL cost you more in the end if you buy Korean or worse parts from China! There's a reason they are less! A Chinese bearing will go a year at most. You'll be doing the job over again$$$$

 

I bought OE ZF rebuild parts from General Truck Parts out of Chicago. They had the best price on OE parts when I rebuilt my ZF about 5 years ago.

 

One can only hope they're OE parts. I always like to see made in the USA stamped.

 

I'm sure they are OE parts - best price is relative...I still spent around $1000.

 

Thanks, guys. I am well aware and experienced with the mark of inferiority: Made in China. That is why I came to this store house of information to find a good kit. I rely on my trans and need to know that it will be there when I need it and will last. A bad trans is not something that can be fixed on the side of the road. I am happy to spend extra for quality, but I am finding it more and more difficult to sift out the Chinese parts. There need to be importation tariffs, but I won't get into politics here, ha ha.

**I think a note is needed here for future readers of this post who are pondering a ZF. I want to say that it is an expensive trans. I paid $350 for the trans. I will pay another $350 to have it rebuilt, plus $300 for a kit. Hopefully more parts won't be needed, unless I decide to go with the short shift kit/machine work, which costs another $200.

So far I'm at $1,000 or $1200.

I am doing a C6 to ZF swap, so other parts (flywheel, driveshaft, starter, trans body housing on floor, pedals, slave and clutch master and line are needed)too. The clutch kit will cost $175, slave and master $60, driveshaft alteration $200, pedal assembly $50, lube $50 (guess), starter $50, flywheel resurface $50, floor tunnel $50.

That makes a grand total of $1685--$1885, plus welding, nuts and bolts, and a trans jack, just so I can have a new tool.

Advantages to having the ZF: 1. Overdrive on the freeway will be unbelievable. 2. The granny gear for towing is a plus. 3. I will gain power that is lost with the C6.

Negatives: 1.It has taken a lot of time just to find a sb 2x ZF. 2. The cost is mountainous hurdle. 3. Whether or not the change is worth it is something each person has to ask themselves.

K.

 

made in Germany is MUCH better in this case since that is who makes the ZFs

 

I'd love to get rid of the automatic in my 97 250 7.3. It is not slipping or anything but it shifts weird sometimes and just seems sloppy. Where did you find all this stuff? Not real familiar with old Fords. I don't even know what to look for. A parts truck?

 

Thanks for all the info! After checking around (ebay included) I've decided to get a kit from Midwest Transmissions. Or at least that is where I stall until I can verify by phone where the bearings and synchros are made.

It really pays to check, and read the feedback of the guys selling on ebay.

I've learned: 1). Koyo bearing are world class, make in Japan. 2). Never buy a part that the seller says 'was made off shore.' That means they don't want to tell you. 3). If the seller on ebay has a customer complaint that says: 'the bearing fell apart when I shifted,' that is never a good sign.

Can one of you guys recommend a clutch type/kit to use for a truck, 250 hp, occasionally tow/haul, low rpm.

Oh, I see the short shift kit for $200. Has anyone tried it?

 

A stock clutch will work fine

 

Just wondering about brands. Is the Luk gold a good choice?

One more question: I notice all the clutch masters are plastic. Should I go with a plastic one? Is there a metal alternative?

 

Well, if you haven't pulled the trigger, then you still have time to call GTP as Eric recommended for the reason he mentioned.

I'd take his suggestion as the best you'll ever get.

 

Luk is a good brand.

And yeas, All OE and OEM master cylinders are plastic.

If you go with a custom Aftermarket one they com in billet aluminum, but there is no need for that