5 speed manual
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From: Boise, Idaho
If you're sure it's a granny gear, then it's the ZF5. However, the Mazda M5OD-R2 is what came stock in the F150 (which does not have a granny gear). The ZF5 only came in F250s and F350s, so someone would have to have swapped it in.
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New User
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Ah ok. I’ll look at the transmission when I get a chance - what do you mean by lines?
I assumed that it’s a granny gear because 1st has a ton of torque. For daily driving, I never use 1st, I just take off in 2nd every time.
Its very funny, the truck I bought is a one owner truck and the old man saved all the paperwork. Unless he changed it out, the door tag from the dealer states that it’s the tranny with OD. I asked before I looked!
I assumed that it’s a granny gear because 1st has a ton of torque. For daily driving, I never use 1st, I just take off in 2nd every time.
Its very funny, the truck I bought is a one owner truck and the old man saved all the paperwork. Unless he changed it out, the door tag from the dealer states that it’s the tranny with OD. I asked before I looked!
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
There'll be raised ridges on the side of the transmission body that are used for heat dissipation and rigidity. Just crawl down and take a peak up underneath.
Nice find on a one owner truck.
It might simply be geared low as well, such as 4.11s or the like, which will definitely make any first gear feel like it has crazy torque. Either way, both have an overdrive, so that's not a telltale sign.
Nice find on a one owner truck.
It might simply be geared low as well, such as 4.11s or the like, which will definitely make any first gear feel like it has crazy torque. Either way, both have an overdrive, so that's not a telltale sign.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Not surprising, the ZF transmission was only used behind the 4.9 in F250/350.
There are three rubber plugs on the Mazda on the back of the plate where the shifter attaches. You should check them to see if they're leaking. If they are, you can remove the top plate and replace the rubber plugs with 5/8" metal expansion plugs. Probably wouldn't hurt to change the fluid either. You need to use Mercon ATF. Don't use Mercon LV (low viscosity) just use regular Mercon V or equivalent.
There are three rubber plugs on the Mazda on the back of the plate where the shifter attaches. You should check them to see if they're leaking. If they are, you can remove the top plate and replace the rubber plugs with 5/8" metal expansion plugs. Probably wouldn't hurt to change the fluid either. You need to use Mercon ATF. Don't use Mercon LV (low viscosity) just use regular Mercon V or equivalent.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
I was going to say the same thing about the plugs.
MAJOR issue with these transmissions, but an easy fix. Ford used rubber plugs that would shrink and crack, and then the fluid would drain and cause the transmissions to burn up.
Brass plugs fix the issue. And fresh fluid.
MAJOR issue with these transmissions, but an easy fix. Ford used rubber plugs that would shrink and crack, and then the fluid would drain and cause the transmissions to burn up.
Brass plugs fix the issue. And fresh fluid.
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Thanks for the heads up! When I get some time, I’ll crack it open and have a look. This is my daily driver since hurricane Harvey flooded my frontier.... so, at the moment, it’s my only means of transport. I have a few questions though, as I’m not a mechanic, but I am a little mechanically inclined:
Do the rings take a long time to change?
Do I need special tools to change them?
where can I find the replacement ones that y’all are talking about?
Do the rings take a long time to change?
Do I need special tools to change them?
where can I find the replacement ones that y’all are talking about?
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 505
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Thanks for the heads up! When I get some time, I’ll crack it open and have a look. This is my daily driver since hurricane Harvey flooded my frontier.... so, at the moment, it’s my only means of transport. I have a few questions though, as I’m not a mechanic, but I am a little mechanically inclined:
Do the rings take a long time to change?
Do I need special tools to change them?
where can I find the replacement ones that y’all are talking about?
Do the rings take a long time to change?
Do I need special tools to change them?
where can I find the replacement ones that y’all are talking about?
I used Dorman 555-108 expansion plugs.
Changing the fluid is easy but you need a 15/16 wrench or socket to get the drain and fill plugs off. I used a filler pump for a lower unit to pump the fluid into the transmission because it's awkward to pour a bottle.
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It’s been a while since I have
Thought about these transmissions. But your trans may already have a vent that may be plugged...
These transmissions came in Rangers, as an m50r1 and had similar issues.
There is a lot to read about concerning them and having a working vent is a part of that. I notice that zf’s have a vent as does your xfer case, and front and rear diffs. Same concept.
I think venting is more important in a box that gets hot like a trans or Xfer case than a rear diff.
This may help against potential seal leakage.
Hopefully this is relevant for this thread. Best wishes.
These transmissions came in Rangers, as an m50r1 and had similar issues.
There is a lot to read about concerning them and having a working vent is a part of that. I notice that zf’s have a vent as does your xfer case, and front and rear diffs. Same concept.
I think venting is more important in a box that gets hot like a trans or Xfer case than a rear diff.
This may help against potential seal leakage.
Hopefully this is relevant for this thread. Best wishes.
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