Transmission identification

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Dec 15, 2020 | 04:59 PM

Grendel's_virtue

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Trailering

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Transmission identification

I'm looking to bid on a salvage truck for parts, but I really want the zf 5 speed trans. Is there a way to identify which trans the vehicle has by vin or door sticker?

Thanks,
Johnny

Dec 15, 2020 | 05:24 PM

Conanski

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Joined: Jun 2006

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

If you find a '90s vintage heavy duty F250 or F350(8500 gvwr or higher) with a manual trans it has a ZF. And on the door pillar decal you should find a corresponding code for it..

The ZF5 is physically bigger than the M5OD and has more ribs on the case, and look for the PTO cover plate on the drivers side.. the M5 doesn't have this at all.
And also note that because the belhousing is integrated you need to find a big block or small block version to match whatever engine you want to bolt this up to.

Dec 16, 2020 | 08:48 AM

Grendel's_virtue

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Trailering

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Thank you Conan,

The sticker for the 1991 f150 has the code M on the door which tells me that it's the mazda 5 speed. Is this a decent transmission?

Thanks

Dec 16, 2020 | 08:49 AM

jas88

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

Of course it's decent, but it is not as heavy-duty as the ZF and lacks the granny low gear that the ZF has.

Dec 16, 2020 | 10:34 AM

Mikulh

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Laurel, MS

A lot of people talk down about the M5OD, and I have no doubt that it's not as strong as a ZF5, but my M5OD has served me well for over 265,000 miles so far and is still going strong... and I haven't babied it.
Having said that I only tow occasionally. If you tow often the ZF5 is probably a better way to go.