I have a couple of questions about my truck but first to get you guys up to speed on what I have, it is a 81 f100 with a 302 and a 4spd od tranny. the exterior paint is a 2 tone brown with the explorer package, and the interior is a brown, and the seat is a brown and tan plad cloth with vynal going through the middle and around the edges.

My question is, will the interior from a 88 f150 fit in my truck. I am looking at replacing the floor covering, the ceiling, door panels, dash and the rear of the cab trim? I am not good with style questions so I will ask you guys, will a red, blue, or gray interior look good with the brown exterior. One reason I want to do this is because I want to install a bench with an armrest, but the only colors I am finding are red, blue and gray. will any of these interior colors match my current exterior, or should I just buy the blue seat that I want and have it recoverd later with the same cloth pattern I currenlty have. Or will just the blue/gray seat I am looking at look good with the original brown interior?

My second Question is what is involved, and what should I look out for in putting on efi. I have everything for the engine (I bought the engine as efi, and then changed it to carb), but I am hearing horror stories about peaple trying to convert there old 302's into efi and it never working.

Also, what is involved in istalling a 5spd trans. I think the trans I want is the ZF S542, because (if I am thinking of the right trans) it has a towing gear. And what is the difference between the ZF S542 and the 5spd od.

Thanks for your help

 

Yes the interiors will fit. Don't know how the colors wil match.

You need the electric fuel pumps both tank and high pressure. Not sure but I think the tank inlet where the guage and fuel pump goes is different so you need an 85 up tank and fuel lines to the high pressure pump and from the high pressure pump to the regulator. You need the computerand fuel pump relay. You need the switch that kills the fuel pump during collisions along with the under dash wiring for the computer. You need all the under hood computer wiring and sensors, evaporative canister and hoses.

Best thing if you are planning the switch is to have a wrecked 86 up truck to get all the parts from. If going to EFI and do all the parts swapping, why go to speed denisity instead on mass airflow.

Don't know

 

the zf 5 is the heavy duty trans that is found mostly in 87- 97 f-250 and f-350s. The zf is the one you want if you haul or tow alot. The other 5 speed (mazda) is the light duty 5 speed found in 87-96 F-150 and some F-250s. Its alright of you dont haul much of a load or tow very much at all. If you do a search on the 5 speed swap there was a guy that posted everythign on this swap a few months ago.

 

You said the interior will fit, but will it bolt right in, or do I have to modify it. Something I was wondering was if the steering column would be a problem or is it the exact same throught the years. And will the steering wheel from the 88 fit in my 81.
I do not have the money to buy a donator truck, the best I can do is make a deal with a junkyard.
Also about the efi swap. I figured that I would need the engine compartment fuse box, but will I also need the cab fuse box.
ronclark, for the efi swap, I figured almost everything you listed, but I am glad I posted anyway because i did forget about the fuel pump cut off switch, and that could have been a mistake if I get in an accident. Thanks


85F_150driver, I kind of figured that the zf was the good heavy duty one, but will the M5 doo good for towing a 3,500 pound car every now and then.
I did a internet search on the 2 tranys, but I only got gear ratios. I will try a search on this sight.

Thanks for your help.

 

I have another question about the 5spd trans. Will the zf or the M5 bring better gas mileage. From the looks of it on another sight the 5th gear in the ZF is .78, and the %th in the M5 is .80. Are these ratios correct. If so then the zf would bring better gas mileage correct? But on another post they were saying that the M5 gets better mileage.
I am just wondering what is the correct info in these tranys
Thanks.

 

You should be okay with the mazda 5spd. I had one in my 95 F-150, I used it to tow cars and trucks all the time, and never had a problem with it. You may need to keep your 4spd bellhousing for the mechanical lnkage, all the 5spds had hydraulic clutch's in them, or convert to a hydraulic clutch, not sure what needs to be done, but something for you to think about anyway.

 

The M5OD isn't any better than your 4spd with OD. Save your money to put in the ZF5.

The ZF5s also have same style of clutch as your current tranny, so the swap won't be as bad.

I towed a good bit with my 4spd od without too much trouble

 

Also the parking break is located on the rear of the ZF-5 tranny You'll have to add a bracket for the cable down by the parking break on tranny. I just did one on a friends f-350 dump after the pto shaft ripped everything up.

 

I thought the parking break cable (atleast on the older trucks like mine) ran throught the frame. If this is so do i still have to change it. I have not looked at it yet, but I am pretty sure that the cable has notheing to due with the trans, I could be wrong though.

 

I just took a look at the parking cable, and the cable has it's mounting brackets on the outside of the frame, so do I have to change the parking break if I get this trans
Thanks for your help

 

1 last questions, I know that the bellhousing for the zf is built in, but is the bellhousing for the m5 changable, if so then I would beable to put on my old bellhousing and keep my manual clutch for now like Sycostang67 said right?

Does any one else have any info on the interior, or the trans questions.
Thank again

 

no. The bellhousing on the M5OD is SBF only

ZF5s are either diesels, BBF & SBFs.

 

What do you mean by BBF and SBF?

Also if I were to efi my 302, what kind of performance can I expect, I would like to know about horsepower, torque, and mileage.

Also I stoped by the junkyard today, and they said $300 for the zf 5spd out of a 90 f250. This sound like a good price?

Thanks for all your help.

 

I have a few more questions.
When I went to the junyard, I found a 90 Bronco with a 302, the efi parts for it will work in my truck right?
And I have dual tanks, if I were to get the pump from the bronco wich tank will it fit in, or does it not matter?
And lastly, I can not find a efi dual tank selector for a 302 engine, will one from a 300 I6 work. I know that the systems are not pressured the same but will that cause a problem. Or can I use my old carberated tank selector.

 

you will have to get both tanks as well; they have a bigger / smaller opening than 80-86 models. The bronco pump would probably only work in the rear, but I think it would be messed up b/c the bronco tank is deeper (~30 gals to 19 gals). I think you could use your old carb'd tank selector as long as it didn't have the high pressure on it.

I'd probably wait around and find a 300-6 setup and grab it.