4.9 with a Zf5
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
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4.9 with a Zf5
Hello,
I'm currently looking to get a 92-96 f-150 or 250 with the 4.9 and a manual transmission. I know you can find the f-250s with a 4.9, but I was wondering if the ones in a f-250 have a zf5 instead of a M50D like in the F-150.
Thanks,
Elliot
I'm currently looking to get a 92-96 f-150 or 250 with the 4.9 and a manual transmission. I know you can find the f-250s with a 4.9, but I was wondering if the ones in a f-250 have a zf5 instead of a M50D like in the F-150.
Thanks,
Elliot
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,917
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Welcome to FTE
The M5OD also came in F250's too.
When I was looking for a ZF5 for my 4.9 I could not find any that may not need a rebuild and they wanted big money for them.
I also heard the ZF's would start to have problems when they got miles on them and need a rebuild that took special tools.
I have not heard that of the M5OD and if they put them in the F250's it has to be up to the job.
I dont know what the first gear ratios are between the ZF5 & M5OD where you may want a lower ratio?
In the long run in my 81 F100 I stayed with a granny first gear as I needed it for pulling a trailer but added aftermarket over drive unit that my 4sp is now a 8sp as I can split the gears.
What do you want to use this truck for load it up for work or a cruiser?
Dave ----
The M5OD also came in F250's too.
When I was looking for a ZF5 for my 4.9 I could not find any that may not need a rebuild and they wanted big money for them.
I also heard the ZF's would start to have problems when they got miles on them and need a rebuild that took special tools.
I have not heard that of the M5OD and if they put them in the F250's it has to be up to the job.
I dont know what the first gear ratios are between the ZF5 & M5OD where you may want a lower ratio?
In the long run in my 81 F100 I stayed with a granny first gear as I needed it for pulling a trailer but added aftermarket over drive unit that my 4sp is now a 8sp as I can split the gears.
What do you want to use this truck for load it up for work or a cruiser?
Dave ----
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
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The truck would be my daily but I live on a small farm and would want it to be able to do work when I need it to. I don't need the ZF5 I just know its considered a better transmission and I was curious if the trucks came stock with them or not. I liked the idea of a granny first gear for if I'm hauling a round bale or two around the hills where I'm at. The M5OD isn't supposed to be a bad transmission though, I've just heard that it can have trouble with a tall first gear leading to clutch wear.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,917
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
It was the trailer pulling load is why I stayed with the granny first and it is nice.
Think the 250's came with either transmission, dont know if there is a easy way to tell when looking at the trucks?
Pretty sure from what I remember the ZF5 has a metal plat on the side of the transmission so you are getting down in the dirt
There are 2 ways around the tall first gear, 1 harder that the other.
4x2 (harder) you would need to go with a lower ratio rear gear but with the over drive it may not be all the bad on the high way.
4x4 on the farm run low range in the transfer case. IF you have locking front hubs you dont even have to lock them to run low range.
I did this with 1 of my 4x4 when hooking up to and moving my car trailers even being a auto as it just made it easier. The 4x4 I got now has auto locking front axle as soon as it its in 4x4 so I cant really do low range and still make turns.
If you get mudd on the farm a 4x4 may be the was to go. For me it was the weather, snow, and needing to get to work or even around town when I lived in CT.
Here in NC they just shut everything down and being retired I dont need to go anywhere
Good luck on your hunt
Dave ----
Think the 250's came with either transmission, dont know if there is a easy way to tell when looking at the trucks?
Pretty sure from what I remember the ZF5 has a metal plat on the side of the transmission so you are getting down in the dirt
There are 2 ways around the tall first gear, 1 harder that the other.
4x2 (harder) you would need to go with a lower ratio rear gear but with the over drive it may not be all the bad on the high way.
4x4 on the farm run low range in the transfer case. IF you have locking front hubs you dont even have to lock them to run low range.
I did this with 1 of my 4x4 when hooking up to and moving my car trailers even being a auto as it just made it easier. The 4x4 I got now has auto locking front axle as soon as it its in 4x4 so I cant really do low range and still make turns.
If you get mudd on the farm a 4x4 may be the was to go. For me it was the weather, snow, and needing to get to work or even around town when I lived in CT.
Here in NC they just shut everything down and being retired I dont need to go anywhere
Good luck on your hunt
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,917
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I see you are in NY so I can see the 4x4 for snow as I was from CT just outside NYC till 2015 and when you work at a hospital head of HVAC (24/7 dept) you have to get there.
Because they use salt up around there you may want to look south and west for rust free trucks.
Yea you may pay a little more but could be worth it for no rust.
Also some areas like manuals over autos like you are finding autos you may find manuals over autos?
Depending on the auto, some are better than others, you can run them in low range and front hubs unlocked for a lower gear ratio if needed.
Good luck
Dave ----
Because they use salt up around there you may want to look south and west for rust free trucks.
Yea you may pay a little more but could be worth it for no rust.
Also some areas like manuals over autos like you are finding autos you may find manuals over autos?
Depending on the auto, some are better than others, you can run them in low range and front hubs unlocked for a lower gear ratio if needed.
Good luck
Dave ----
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