So I have an 88 F-350 2wd with the 460 with a dump bed on it. The trans is a ZF S5-42 manual trans. Well a fork broke in it and so I attempted to buy a JY ZF S5-42 trans to swap into it from an 89 F-350 that supposedly also had a 460 in it. Both transmissions appeared to be the same... HOWEVER, upon closer inspection after trying to install the new one, I realized that there were a few subtle differences that made the swap impossible.

First... the trans that came out of my truck had a build date of 1987, the swap trans had a build date of 88. Didn't think anything of it, as the previous threads on the forum I've read stated that they would match right up.

Second, the part numbers on the id tag were slightly different, but as I said above... every thread I read said the ZF S5-42 from 87-96 were interchangeable as long as the motor's were the same.

The biggest difference I noticed right away was the trans that came out of my truck was manufactured in Germany, whereas the swap was manufactured in USA... Again I didn't think anything of it.

I was trying to install the swap trans into the truck when the most glaring difference became apparent to me.... The holes weren't lining up, AND there was no second hole for a starter on the swap trans. My starter is a two bolt starter, and it appears the swap trans had a single bolt starter.

Upon further inspection, I noticed several very subtle differences between the two, including bolt hole locations...

My question is this... What the heck is the difference between an 87 and an 88 F-350 ZF-S5-42 trans??? And what truck do I need to look for in the JY to match up to mine to swap trans?

I have pictures of both the trans OEM tags if someone could remind me how to post them to the forum.

Thanks in advance guys for any help/info, this is my work truck for my business and I'm currently losing money every second it's out of commission...

 

Are you saying the transmission to engine holes are off slightly?

Maybe the new trans is for a diesel motor.

Posting the pictures would tell the tale, but all I know about that is posting a link, or clicking on the little mountain picture icon just above the text and adding the picture from your computer that way.

 

 

The top picture is the trans I pulled out of my truck.. The bottom is the trans I attempted to swap in...

 

You have acquired a diesel trans, hence the 4.14 1st gear. It's a desirable case, you might be able to drill the holes out in the bell to match the 460. I'd love for you to try that, as I want to mate a 7.3 zf6 to a 460...

 

That's definitely a diesel transmission. You will be looking for E7TA-7003-KB (the one you have) or E9TA-7003-UA; the ZF numbers will end in 014 or 053 for a direct swap. You can use E8TA-7003-APA (ZF 040) or E9TA-7003-VA (ZF 054) if you swap the speedometer drive gear from 8 tooth to 7 tooth. There are newer ones that will fit the engine but will not have speedometer drive capability.

 

So I found a few trans from a used parts distributor, but here's my new question...
The trans I pulled out was a 5spd, but the replacements I've found for a 5spd have been REALLY expensive. I use the truck as a dumptruck and very very rarely make it to 5th gear.
The same auto parts company has tons of 4spd trans from same year/motor.. So can I just swap a 4spd in and save half the money for the trans? Will the 4spd swap in without any problems? I need to order one regardless today, so I really appreciate any help you guys can give me.
Thanks for all the responses so far, this forum has save me thousands of dollars over the years. You guys ROCK!

 

The 4 speed is a MUCH less desirable trans, hence why they are cheaper.

To use the 4 speed, you need...
460 bellhousing
T-19 trans
t-19 crossmember
t-19 driveshaft

I am Not sure if the clutch disc will interchange or not

 

By the time you make/acquire driveshafts, slave, and other clutch parts you'll be at or over the cost of a zf.

Do you have your 460 dust shield handy? Could you place it up to the bell of the diesel trans and post a photo?

 

A Guy in the IDI world has done a couple 460 trans adapted to the IDI for Much better gearing. I cant find his over lay pics

 

But I'm confused now... The parts guy said the 4speed trans were ZF trans, just 4 gears instead of the 5 I had... As long as the tail shaft housing is the same length, and it came from behind a 460 which is what I have in the truck, am I still going to have to get new driveshaft and do all those adaptations or should it bolt right up like he said?

I'm selling the diesel ZF trans I had, just looking to put something in the truck quick, fast, easily, and CHEAP so I can haul these loads of leaves to finish out my work season. I thought a ZF 4 speed would be the same, just minus 5th gear, which I could do without until next summer when I could afford a new 5speed ZF.

If they're both manual, and both ZF, I'm confused on why I'd have to make so many adaptations... PLEASE HELP ME SEE THE LIGHT FELLAS haha

 

My truck is an 88 F-350 2wd, with a 460 just to clarify. It HAD a 5spd manual ZF trans in it, but that trans is trashed, wanting to put a JY trans in it for the time being. The parts guy said they had plenty of ZF 4 speed manual trans for cheap but that the 5 speed was quite a bit more.. Just to clear up any confusion.

 

He has no idea what he is talking about.

 

No such thing as a ZF 4 speed used in Ford trucks.

There were 4 speed manuals used, just not made by ZF. T-18, T-19, NP435 all should work. The T-19 is most desirable with a synchro'd 1st gear, but all are good, you just need to come to a complete stop to shift into 1st (granny low) with the others.

A big difference though is that all of the 4 speeds have separate bellhousings vs the 5 speeds where the bellhousing was integral with the trans. So to put a 4 speed behind a 460 you can use any 4 speed, but you need a bellhousing for a 460 with hydraulic clutch. Those aren't the easiest to find.

 

Again, no such thing as a ZF 4 speed in these trucks.

Like I said Originally, you need more than just the trans when swapping from a 4 to 5 speed