ZF-6 shifter issue (I think)

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Aug 5, 2022 | 09:46 PM

SoCal-Bob

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2013

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ZF-6 shifter issue (I think)

Hauling a horse trailer the other night, almost home I went to go for 6th gear and there was nothing there. It was like the shifter had nothing to guide it. I still had use of other gears, until I got to the house. I went to put it in first to make an easy drive up the bumpy driveway and no first. Same empty space feeling, and also no reverse. I can my way into 2nd gear and up to fifth. It’s the gears on the "ends" that have nothing there.

I’m thinking this is something in the shifter, but I don’t know for sure. The trans was installed just over a year ago with maybe a thousand miles on it.

can anyone guide me in a direction to look?

Aug 6, 2022 | 10:06 AM

Kwikkordead

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 25,090

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From: Rio Rico, AZ.

I would start by removing the shift handle assembly and see if the sloppiness is in the handle, or internal to the transmission.
The shift handle is held onto the (rather short) selector shaft via two short bolts. Mine stripped out years ago, had to get some longer bolts along with some flared nuts. Hasn't slipped since.

Aug 6, 2022 | 03:58 PM

Tpayne621

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2022

Posts: 3,203

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Also when you pull shifter off the cup the the shift r all sits down in inside the trans has a roll pin that attaches it. I have had one fall almost all the way out one time and couldn't shift it. Check it also. I put safety wire on it so it can't do it again.

Aug 7, 2022 | 02:32 AM

SoCal-Bob

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Mountain Pass

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Posts: 196

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Good info guys, I appreciate your help. I haven’t had time to get into it since it happened, but I have to get into it soon. I don’t use the truck often, but it has its purpose. I really hope this is a simple fix. Not much info out there for ZF6’s

Dec 30, 2022 | 09:03 PM

SoCal-Bob

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 196

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I finally got the shifter out, and expecting to find one of the nylon bushings missing or something obviously wrong… it’s all there and looks fine. 5 out of the six bolts holding the shifter in place were tight, although half of them were stripped.

Just to reiterate, there’s no detent for any of the gears. 1st(L), R, or 6(OD) can not be found.

Dec 30, 2022 | 09:31 PM

Kwikkordead

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 25,090

Likes: 1,112

From: Rio Rico, AZ.

This may help. There's some other links contained in the thread that give some extra details.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ft-detent.html

Dec 30, 2022 | 10:52 PM

SoCal-Bob

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 196

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Thanks Kwik. I might rejuvenate that old thread. My problem is different, but the same parts could play a role.

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Jul 29, 2023 | 10:23 PM

SoCal-Bob

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 196

Likes: 5

Finally broke down and sent the truck to a shop that was willing to work on the trans. (Most shops just want to replace it) $1500 later, turned out to be a broken pin in the internal shifting mechanism. She’s working good now, and I’m enjoying the new short throw shifter.