ZF question

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Feb 19, 2004 | 05:35 PM

68 351 bronc

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From: Colville

ZF question

I would like to put a ZF in my 68, can it be done without a body lift. My bronco had the Mustang close ratio T-10 in it when I bought it and I loved the 3rd gear that split 2nd and fourth for passing and pulling hills at 50 mph.

My questions are > is a body lift required?
> is there a difference in years?-strength, gear
ratios.
> any simularities between the old ZF 5sp and the new

ZF 6sp found in new SDs?

Thanks, Ed

Last edited by 68 351 bronc; Feb 19, 2004 at 05:40 PM.

Feb 20, 2004 | 12:49 PM

spartamouse1

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the only thing that came with a 6 speed was a 99 and up diesel. you will have to get a older one. the bell housing is made into the transmission case, so you will have to find one for a small block. they are out there just hard to find being most were either a diesel or a 460. you still need a adaptor for the transfercase?? 5 speed would be the way to go if you could find a decent one for the right $. new one is almost $3000.

Feb 20, 2004 | 03:41 PM

68 351 bronc

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From: Colville

I helped a buddy replace the clutch in his 89 F150 with a 300 six and a ZF just last week. The biggest problem I could see is the hydro clutch, where to mount the clutch master cylinder?
Is a body lift a must?
I know the small block tranies are scarce but they are out there.

Feb 20, 2004 | 05:38 PM

spartamouse1

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there is a detailed article in bronco driver magazine in issue #2 about this conversion. does not require body lift, just a 5x8 hole in the trans tunnel. looks like B C broncos have the adaptor for the transfer case and a trans crossmember. www.bcbroncos.com

after that looks like some fabricationg for the clutch pedal/hydrolic master cyl. drive shafts have to be redone and a shifter fabricated for the transfer case. it all looks pretty involved but if i was to have a stick shift trans i would sure try for this one. best of both worlds, low gear for off road and o/d for on the road.

Feb 20, 2004 | 09:20 PM

RCrawler

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From: Southern Oregon USA

A 4wd version that came behind the 300 or the small block will work. They are found in 250's and 350's. I have heard of some 150's having ZF's (I've never seen one personally), the majority of them have the weaker Mazda built transmission.

The article in Bronco Driver was pretty informative. I have it somewhere if you would like a copy of it.

I've found the ZF's for sale as low as $300 for a good buildable unit and up to $1200 for a really good used one.

Jason

Feb 20, 2004 | 11:14 PM

68 351 bronc

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From: Colville

I was wrong the F150 with the 300 is actually a 90 and it is the ZF not the mazda. I had no idea that these tranies were worth that mutch used. Advance Adapters sells aD20 adapter but says I am on my own for every thing else.
Just trying to get as mutch info as possible before deciding between a 435 and the mutch more desireable ZF.