i'm looking for a manual tranny for a '95 5.8L that will be going in a '52 F3.

found a local ad that says he's got a 5 speed out of an '88 F150 2x4 from behind a 5.0.

which transmission would this be? a good candidate for me behind the 351?

thanks.

 

The trans would most likely be an M5OD trans. If they are taken care of and not abused, they hold up fine, but if behind a 351 in your truck, it might be a little less sketchy to run a ford ZF5. M5OD's can be potentially breakable if behind a 351, but it also always depends on what kind of abuse it would go through.

 

thanks...
so presumably looking for a F250 or above then, correct? suppose any model year would work as long as SBF bolt pattern.

 

You will probably want the speedometer drive? If so go 1991 or older.

I think the ZF-5 came out in 1988, so 1988 to 1991 if you want a ZF-5 with the speedometer drive.

 

You do need to be a little careful with F-250s. Standard F-250s could have the lighter duty trans also (especially if they have a 302 V8). Most F-250s however were the F-250HD which would have the heavier trans (same as F-350). The F-250HD had a full floating rear axle while the standard F-250 had a semi-float. That's the easiest giveaway if you see the truck.

And FYI, "M5OD" means two different things. To Ford it meant any 5 speed manual transmission with an overdrive. On bulletin boards it usually means the Mazda-built 5 speed used in half-ton trucks. That's also called the M5R2 on boards, and I think I heard that Ford called it an M5OD-R2.

The heavier trans used in F-250HD and F-350 is almost always called a ZF5, but I heard that Ford called it an M5OD-HD.

As far as which transmission you want, it depends on what you want. the Mazda trans isn't as strong and might not hold up to heavy use behind a 351. But the ZF trans is heavier shifting, with wider ratios, and might not be a great choice in a hot rod.

 

thanks... this truck shouldn't see heavy-duty use -- it will have a flatbed on it and will primarily be a "mountain" truck for camping and mountain biking. more concerned about low-end torque (for street) but also highway gears (hence the 5 spd). won't be hauling or towing (famous last words, i suppose).

 

Either trans could work for you then. The ZF will have a lower 1st gear (too low to use in most street driving, but great for creeping over a rough trail) while the Mazda will have 4 usable gears (plus overdrive) so smaller gaps between gears (as well as shifting easier) which you might prefer in most of your driving.

Personally I've never driven either, but I did choose an NV3550 (more like the Mazda than the ZF) for my Bronco (I get the low gearing I need from an Atlas transfer case).

 

The ZF doesn't differ much from what you'd expect to experience when driving say a 28 foot straight truck with a 5 speed (without splitting the axle).

Shifting the gates are pretty far apart and throw is fairy long, nothing could be considered really quick about it and or done with a mere flick of the wrist. The width of its H pattern probably the worse of the two evils.

As you previously mentioned not a trans and shifter combo would consider ideal choice in a vehicle setup as a hot rod!

 

ZF5 is fine as long as you know how to shift properly

I've driven both and personally prefer the ZF. The M5OD seemed a bit sloppier to me but it could have just been worn out.

 

Oh sure it does was just commenting on how it shifts more like a heavy truck rather than a something built for other use.

Longer handle with heavy yet positive feel to it that isn't sloppy, a truck transmission that wasn't intended for real quick shifting but at the same time it isn't necessary normal use.

Gonna built a race car/truck I wouldn't necessarily start with a F350 either though!

 

Agreed. A good clutch and flywheel will do wonders for speed shifting. I'm quite happy with my ZF/diesel combo and how quickly I can shift it. Sadly, I don't know what could easily be put behind a 351 that is a bit smoother. Maybe the M5OD with a short shifter is the way to go here