Need M5OD Advice
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Northwest
No, the M5OD does NOT have a granny low first gear. Ford SHOULD have had the transmission made with a granny low along with a granny low reverse......... That way it would not have been such worthless transmission when installed in anything bigger than a little ranger pickup.
Anybody ever try to haul a yard of sand in an F150 with an I6/M5od/2.75 ?............ No problem for the engine, but the clutch takes a beating.
Anybody ever try to haul a yard of sand in an F150 with an I6/M5od/2.75 ?............ No problem for the engine, but the clutch takes a beating.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Are we talking about the same tranny? I have hauled a yard of sand with it and it worked fine other than the rear end sitting on the ground. I mean I can take off in second gear when unloaded no problem. The M50D is the manual that comes in the F150 right? Maybe I am talking about the wrong tranny.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 4
From: Sussex County, DE
Yah, the 3.55 and up gearsets do go a long way towards making the M5OD livable with a load. I Imagine that 4.10:1 Gears and 31" tires would be a nice combo... equivalent performance to 3.73s and Stock tires
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Mr. G - the five speed in the F-150s was the M5OD, but in 1988 or thereabouts, Ford threw in a few ZF's for confusion. 
So unless it was a swap, or one of the rare '88's with a ZF, it's got a M5OD.
But no matter what year, the M5OD never had a granny. I had 3.08's with a M5OD once - would 3.55's really make that much of a difference?
So unless it was a swap, or one of the rare '88's with a ZF, it's got a M5OD.
But no matter what year, the M5OD never had a granny. I had 3.08's with a M5OD once - would 3.55's really make that much of a difference?
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 530
Likes: 1
From: Harrisonburg, VA
I have a friend that bought a circa 92-96 f150 300, 2wd model and his came with a zf 5 speed from factory. I always wondered why he would take off in second and I finally asked and he said that first was a granny gear so he takes off in second. Also it is a big no-no to put gear oil in a m50d, they take mercon automatic transmission fluid. IMO I don't mind the 5 speed in my truck, I do have 3.55's though. I mind the fact that Ford is using Mazda transmissions. If Ford had contracted out to Borg Warner to make the transmissions there wouldn't be near the problems they have.
Oh and Andy, 3.55's make a world of difference over 3.08's. They should've never put anything higher than 3.55 in a truck.
Oh and Andy, 3.55's make a world of difference over 3.08's. They should've never put anything higher than 3.55 in a truck.
Last edited by Kista20; Sep 25, 2004 at 05:11 PM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 4
From: Sussex County, DE
They put the taller gears in for Corporate Average Fuel Economy, because Ford (nor any manufacturer, for that matter) can't afford to have their numbers drop too low by people buying trucks for purely personal use, with no intentions of using the truck for anything other that commuting, or very light duty hauling (a few bags of mulch here, a dozen bricks there, etc). They figure that someone who intends to use the truck to it's limits will buy one spec'd to his or her individual needs.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Have you ever looked at the ratio's. Second gear in M50D is just barely higher than first in 4R70W. After reading this post I payed attention today in driving my truck and I would say with 3.55's first is not really a granny but close. Not to change the subject but today I started it and it ran really rough and low RPM's,hitting the gas had no effect on RPM. Shut it down and re-started and everything seems fine. Weird.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 862
From: Foothills of NC
I have an 87 F150, 4wd, I-6 with the granny gear 4spd and 3.08. It is excellent for around town and two lane roads. The problem is that it turns too many rpm's at 70 and above.
I would like to find something that the first four gears are around the same ratio that I now have, plus a fifth overdrive. The main thing is that it be a direct bolt in with no driveshaft work if possible.
If a ZF would work, can anyone tell me the OD ratio so I can work up what my rpm would be in fifth.
I would like to find something that the first four gears are around the same ratio that I now have, plus a fifth overdrive. The main thing is that it be a direct bolt in with no driveshaft work if possible.
If a ZF would work, can anyone tell me the OD ratio so I can work up what my rpm would be in fifth.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,734
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
I am not sure if you would have drive shaft work or not but I will say it is more than likely you will need to have the drive shafts redone. The M5OD may be closer to what you have but I am not sure.
I believe the OD ratio for the ZF is .76.
I believe the OD ratio for the ZF is .76.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,776
Likes: 862
From: Foothills of NC
Thanks, sounds like a project for the future. I almost bought an 04 FX4, but the morning I was going to buy I looked out at my old loyal truck of 12 years, and I just couldn't bear to part with it. I guess a restoration is in the future. It's really in good shape with 114,000 miles. Just needs paint and some minor interior detailing.