hey guys,
i'm considering purchasing a 1995 F-150 with a 4.9 I6 and a stick shift. I've been browsing through these forums trying to learn more about Ford trucks in general (i know Dodge trucks inside & out, my last ride was a 4x4 dakota ) So far ive learned that the F150 im looking at has a Mazda-made transmission called the M5OD. Is this a decent transmission? or is it failure-prone? does it hold up well to pulling heavy loads or is it inherently weak? about how long do they last?

thanks alot for your help - these forums blow my mind compared to Dodge message boards.

--john

 

Well, it's about time you left the "dark" side!

From what I have heard the M5OD is not a "strong" transmission. The gears wear out but it is mostly from people not checking the fluid regularly and it drains out slowly over time and wrecks the gears. Or, people put GEAR oil in the tranny when in fact most of them require automatic transmission fluid (ATF). With proper care and maintenance you should maybe be fine. Although you could always swap for a ZF 5-speed! Welcome to FTE!

-Matt

 

cool - thanks! i considered editing out that i was a Dodge fan from my post, i dont want to make any enemies!


so the M5OD takes ATF, not gear oil? thats weird...

 

There are three small plugs towards the rear of the transmission's cover plate which over time rot/dry/shrink up (rubber) and the fluid is able to get tossed out of these holes. Faster you go, more that can be tossed out. The good thing is if they haven't deteriorated (Mine has 200,000+ and they looked perfectly fine..just shrunk a touch) you can just hit them with Silicone sealant and call it good. There's also metal caps you can hammer in and never have to worry again. I don't understang the point of the plugs, anyways.

The M5OD isn't a good choice for hauling for just two reasons: As the "Standard" transmission, it was often paired with high gears (2.97, 3.08, and the like) as opposed to good towing gears (3.73, 4.10). Also..its first gear is a touch 'high' so you'll have to give it a bit of clutch to start.

I'd take the truck to a transmission shop and have the transmission looked over. Have them pull the tranny cover and have a peak. Gears, synchro's, everything looks ok and you really want the truck, have them then drain the old fluids and pour in quality ATF (Redline MTL comes to mind as an oft-recommended fluid), have them seal up the plugs, and call it good. You could do this all yourself..but that depends on your mechanical inclination - there are many on here, including myself, that have done this so you have people to ask - and time. I'm happy with my M5OD. Just don't let the fluid run out of it! The M5OD isn't a GREAT transmission, it just gets a bad rap cause of stupid drivers.

 

Well, you have got a Ford now so you must have a head on your shoulders!

Yeah, the ATF thing is kinda weird, especially the first time I heard it. Your truck being a 95 will definetly take it (someone correct me if I am wrong!). You may want to drain it out (make sure it is ATF) and then put in a good synthetic. It will help displace the heat a bit better and also maybe help you have smoother shifts.

-Matt

P.S. If you have anymore questions be sure to ask!

 

my M5OD chewed up a bearing and is leaking through the plug holes. first is WAY to high,(redlines at like 10mph) 3rd gear syncro is done. POS if you ask me..

 

Corpse, the 1st gear is definately not that low. That sounds more granny gear-ish then M5OD. What's your final drive ratio? I know my 3.08 let mine go well over 10mph in first.

Oddly enough, its my 3rd gear synchro that gives me the most trouble as well. Course, switching back to ATF pretty much fixed my 3rd gear's tendancy to grind. I've had it "grind" on my once since I've switched back to ATF.

With the transmission being in a 1995, there's probably less chance of it having incurred as much damage. Perhaps the plugs haven't even started leaking yet! I'd have a shop look at the transmission (I'd have any transmission I'm gonna buy get looked at though...they ARE the weak link of ANY vehicle) or you yourself could if you feel up to it. If things check out, no discoloring of gears, ground out synchro's, etc and you can be sure the transmission is in good shape. Then have the shop or you yourself pour in a quality ATF (Redline MTL would be the 'best' you could do probably). I just used off the shelf O'rielly's generic dual-standard ATF, and it works perfectly fine though.

I wouldn't let the M5OD stop me from buying a newer truck with one in it. In fact, it might give you LEVERAGE on the vehicle. Tell the owner that you've been reading and the transmission in it is prone to failure, and get them to drop a few hundred off. Just a thought, though I'd hate to do that to a fellow Ford owner.

As beast said, feel free to ask anything you need. MANY of us have gotten inside of the transmission before. It's fairly easy to walk a person through, too. Good luck, hope you get yourself the truck =).

 

i was exagerating a bit on the redline in 1st i have the 3.55 gears but i wont take it over 15mph in 1st

 

guys,

sorry for such a late reply, ive been busy getting moved into college and the like.

thank you all very much for your help! im mechancially inclined enough to check the condition of the gears, syncrhos and the like, and i will definatley change the fluid to ATF and examine the seals to see what the best thing to do to them is.

hopefully i'll be able to buy this truck soon, if not i'll buy another one like it.

thanks again, ya'll are great!

 

with those plugs removed, you can knock out the fork shafts.

 

Redline MTL is a standard transmission, a gear oil, isn't it? You want an automatic transmission fluid for that box, not MTL, unless I'm mistaken.