Alrighty guys!

I'm finally moved all moved into my new place and starting to look at what I want/need to do to get my new truck going.

Its a 2000 F350 7.3L with a ZF6 (S6-650). She's sitting on 423,000 with the original transmission.

Truck runs great! The issue lays in the transmission...

I'm at a crossroad and having a rough time figuring out what I should do.

5th gear is dead as a door nail. It will plop into gear but grinds like a sun of a gun once the clutch is let out so I know its not the syncro.

I've read and read about this happening and I've come to the conclusion that the gears probably sheared its teeth off.

I'm pretty much past a diagnosis and now looking at how to correct it so I can get all my mods swapped over and start driving her. (That is unless there are a few simple things I can check first)

Should I look at rebuilding the transmission myself? Anyone have ANY experience with it?

I have the manual and it looks pretty straight forward. You just need a good attention to detail. I HAVE done smaller transmissions in bikes and side by sides/four wheelers and never had a problem figuring it out just took some time. (Never had a manual to follow)

My biggest issue is all the specialty tools needed.

Plug Puller, Pinion holding kit, bearing puller, etc.

My other option is to take it somewhere and have it cracked open for $150.

My THIRD and LAST RESORT is to buy a refurbished or REMAN.

What do ya'll think?

I'm on a really tight budget and need to get by otherwise she'd already have a new drive train under her

 

I've rebuilt manual transmissions before, starting with my 64 on a tight budget with no manual to help.

The biggest problem I see with the ZF is the size of the thing. If you don't have lots of time to work through this, aren't extremely mechanically inclined, don't have other vehicles to drive while working through this, etc., I'd look at the used low mileage option to get you by.

You can always then start to tinker with yours at a more leisurely pace. Most places selling them used will give you at least a 30 day warranty, which should be more than enough time to figure out if you can live with it.

 

I've got an F250 7.3L Auto for my daily driver now just wanting to move up

I have space in my garage to do it and while I work full time I do have my weekends. I like to consider myself fairly mechanically inclined so I think once its on the bench and I have the tools I'll be okay.

I really appreciate the input! Makes me feel better about doing it myself.

 

Getting it apart is easy. Good luck with reassembly.

 

Even with the help of the jig?

 

I'm thinking about rebuilding my zf5. Manual trannys arent as bad as you think they are. The jig would be helpful, but it can be done without it. I've done a couple of Spicers and Eaton-Fullers without specialty tools, just gotta be careful and take some time, its not something that can be done in a hour.

 

I've heard from several that's it's impossible without the jig

 

Not much to add but I figured I'd update as I'm planning on having the transmission out of the truck within a month or two. (Finally getting the funds together) and after looking at the cost of specialty tools I think I'm going to be taking it to a shop to have it looked over. I can't find a used one nearby and the ones I can find are extremely expensive 1,800 to 3,000 and are at least 1,000 miles out. I'll let y'all know something better when I have it.