M5od??
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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M5od??
I keep hearing bad juju. What is the story on it?? My old man has one is his truck. I6, 112,000 miles. Much of it highway, some towing a light boat. I am looking at a truck now, and want to know if I should avoid trucks with this tranny.
Let me hear the stories, good and bad. The only problem he had was the slave cyl. went out. (Who puts PLASTIC parts INSIDE THE BELLHOUSING????) We put a new clutch in it while we were there, but it didn't need it. Now I have one that is good if I did get the M5OD. Thanks.
Let me hear the stories, good and bad. The only problem he had was the slave cyl. went out. (Who puts PLASTIC parts INSIDE THE BELLHOUSING????) We put a new clutch in it while we were there, but it didn't need it. Now I have one that is good if I did get the M5OD. Thanks.
Last edited by MustangGT221; Sep 29, 2003 at 07:54 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
The M5OD is a good transmission, it's not at all a crappy tranny. I'm on my 2nd truck with the M5OD in it. The real issue that we're dealing with is the fact that it's not very strong. If you try to put 300 hp to it, it's not going to work. It was made for light duty trucks with 200hp.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
A 351 may be too much for that tranny. I don't think you could even get a 351/5-speed combo some model years, just like you cannot get a manual 5.4 now. If you don't tow or carry loads, it may be ok.
Jim
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
The stock 351 has 310 or so ft-lbs of torque....the 6 cyl has 260 or so and the 302 is 275...it's more torque than hp we're looking at. A warmed up 351 i assume would have in the neighborhood of 350-370 ftlbs...too much.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 20
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From: MISSOURI
I have one in my 92 F150,302,4x4.this is not a very strong trany.i had to have mine replaced because of previous owner.they have a prob with leakingfluid.in my opinion any time you have too put auto trans fluid in a manual trany,it cant be good.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
I would swap the tranny out for a ZF tranny if you want to do some heavy towing, or serious off-roading. The ZF was put in big blocks and the diesels, a really tought transmission. I think the only thing the surpasses a ZF transmission, would be the Borg-Warner T-18.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The Mazda tranny isn't as bad as people think it is. Just keep in mind that it's a light duty transmission, and you can't put a heavy load constantly behind it. And check the fluid level regularly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,113
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From: Remsen, NY
The problem is those rubber seals on the top plate. There's one over the shifter stub and maybe another in that assembly, and an o-ring around the outside of the plate that bolts to the top of the transmission. Those start leaking, you lose all your fluid and the gearbox quickly starts having problems.
My father had that gearbox in both his '88 and '93 (300 and 302) and he towed and hauled some awful loads with them with no problems, especially with the 300. You just have to make sure it's not puking its oil.
Honestly, I just pulled one out of a parts truck and am planning on putting it in my truck instead of my E4OD. I don't trust automatics except maybe a C6.
My father had that gearbox in both his '88 and '93 (300 and 302) and he towed and hauled some awful loads with them with no problems, especially with the 300. You just have to make sure it's not puking its oil.
Honestly, I just pulled one out of a parts truck and am planning on putting it in my truck instead of my E4OD. I don't trust automatics except maybe a C6.
Posting Guru
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From: Back where I started...
I'm tryin to figger a way to put a 351 in my truck w/ the M5OD. It doesn't sound like the trann will like the 5.8 very much, and it's getting tired anyway. A ZF sounds like too much work, as does an auto, and I'm with you gates on those. Maybe a 435 or a T-18/19, whichever results in the least amount of modifications, i.e. driveshafts.....
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 132
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From: N.W. OHIO
The biggest problem I've had with mine is the shifter. It has 225,000 miles on it . I'm getting ready to do a 351 swap in mine and leave M5Od in it. I'm going to back up the engine with earlier 302 flywheel of 28 oz variety'and put Hurst billet-plus shifter in.Shifter has missing link stock doesn't have (positive throw stops).
Last edited by grampztoyz351; Dec 9, 2003 at 01:14 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 215
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From: The best is the U.S.
As a full-size truck transmission the M5OD sucks. While I still had the M@z!@ transmission in my truck it was maintained on a regular schedule and NEVER leaked (I saw to that with fresh plugs, gasket, and RTV). Despite my efforts this transmission died twice within 40K miles of each occurence. I replaced the M5OD with a ZF from a 5.8L (mine is a 4.9L) and I am extremely happy with the increased strength. A light-duty transmission only belongs in CARS and COMPACT pickups. I am a perfectionist when it comes to machinery and this passion drives me to take extremely good care of my vehicles. I believe that pickups should be designed for work and not style, therefore when I spend good money on a truck I expect it to work for its living (not make a fashion statement). In my opinion, opt for the ZF. 
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 465
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From: Tower MN, Houghton MI
the other HUGE problem with the mazda tranny is the ratios.. First gear is way to high to do any practical work. Reverse is also rediculously high. You have to shift the truck into low range to back up to a trailer..
Why ford geared it so these trucks will go 70mph in reverse is beond me..
Why ford geared it so these trucks will go 70mph in reverse is beond me..