Quick question about manual transmissions
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Junior User
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Well I got a 1980, F-150 with the 300 straight 6. It currently has a 4 speed with granny low. I don't do enough serious off-roading to utilize this trans. first gear gets me about 5 feet, and I'm in fourth at 35-40. Plus I'm not even sure if this trans uses syncronizers, because you can't just flip through the gears, like my car.
I would like to know what transmission does Ford offer that I can bolt right in with very little modification if any. I'm thinking definatly one with overdrive, and one that shifts smoothly. My truck has no computer or anything like that, so I don't know if that matters.
This truck is my daily driver, and this trans is driving me nuts. Please help, any and all info appreciated.
Dave
I would like to know what transmission does Ford offer that I can bolt right in with very little modification if any. I'm thinking definatly one with overdrive, and one that shifts smoothly. My truck has no computer or anything like that, so I don't know if that matters.
This truck is my daily driver, and this trans is driving me nuts. Please help, any and all info appreciated.
Dave
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Quick question about manual transmissions
The transmission you have is a t-18 made by borg warner a very good and stout box. first to second is not sycronized however the rest of the gears are. this is a keeper if you plan on doing any towing.....a modern day replacement is the m-5 this will bolt up without to many mods. you would have to replace the crossmember, rear drive shaft and front (if 4X4) the m-5 I beleave is about 2 inches longer. The m-5 is built by Mazda for ford and is a good medium duty box. The m-5 also allows for non-hydrolic throw-out bearing however you may have to modify some mounts for the fork.
If you have a few more $$$ you may want to look at the ZF series these were/are used on the -250/350 series trucks. any of the small blocks will fit 302/351w.
Good Luck
If you have a few more $$$ you may want to look at the ZF series these were/are used on the -250/350 series trucks. any of the small blocks will fit 302/351w.
Good Luck
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Junior User
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Well a lot of people tell me this is a really good trans, which I'm sure it is. My biggest problem with this, besides the low range gearing, is that the 3-4 shift sometimes doesn't go. Then the only way into 4th is to go back to 3rd first, then 4th. This causes me a problem in traffic sometimes. I don't think anything is wrong with it, cause sometimes it works perfect, and sometimes it doesn't. The ZF will bolt up to a 300? If so that seems like a good choice.
Anyway thanks for the input.
Anyway thanks for the input.
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Junior User
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Katt
I'm definatly interested in getting rid of it.
Does your friend have a trans he would want to trade or is he interested in purchasing mine. Anyhow let me know what he is looking to do and maybe we can work something out.
I'm definatly interested in getting rid of it.
Does your friend have a trans he would want to trade or is he interested in purchasing mine. Anyhow let me know what he is looking to do and maybe we can work something out.
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Joined: Jun 1999
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Quick question about manual transmissions
He's interested in putting it in his 68 jeep. I doubt you would have any need for his old one, its only a three speed anyway. (cant remember which one.) Anyway I will talk to him and see how serious he is about buying it. What kind of condition is it in?
Thanks
Thanks
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Junior User
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Nothing is wrong with the trans, It works just like its supposed to. Maybe cleaned, but nothing else.
Dave
Dave
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Quick question about manual transmissions
Since both 1st and 4th are too low, a simple solution (except for the non-syncro 1st to 2nd)seems to be a change to a significantly higher rear end ratio--maybe a 2.47? Calculate what would give you a useable 1st and acceptable highway RPMs.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Prior to the 5-spd. OD transmissions (M5-OD and ZF-S5), Ford used to offer one for pickups and vans called the SROD, which is their old '60's 4-spd "Top Loader" (of muscle car fame) with an OD 4th. I suspect those are rather common in boneyards. If you find one, measure up the driveshaft, crossmember, and mounting bracket and see what it'll take to bolt in.
Eddie
Eddie
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Quick question about manual transmissions
Well as far as switching rear end gears, I believe my truck has 3.55, but I'm not sure about that. Anyway I have a 4x4 so I would have to change both front and rear gears. The 4th gear is alright with the rear I have, I can cruise at around 70 but thats it. It's just that 1st gear is 6.32 to 1, and 2nd is 3.09 to 1, so my second is really like my first. Not sure the purpose of that gear ratio, as I'm not in the tree stump pulling business.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Hutto 20 mi. above Austin USA
Quick question about manual transmissions
I've got that SROD, and those gear ratios might be more of what you're looking for. My first gear will definitely get me offroad, and then some, and it'll still get me to about 25 mph. The second will also get me going pretty quick too, up to about 45 mph. Third, about 75 or so. Fourth, about 75-1?? This is the original transmisison that came with my truck, and is ALOT more reliable than that Mazda thing. I've never had any problems with it. My friend's M5-OD, hooked up to a 300, in a '95 F150, constantly gives him problems! He always has it in the the shop, because of that rear seal, and because it leaks like a seave between the rear cover, and the rest of the transmission.
Chris
1982 F100 Flareside
300HD I-6
SROD 4speed
Blue & Silver
Chris
1982 F100 Flareside
300HD I-6
SROD 4speed
Blue & Silver
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Quick question about manual transmissions
Chris, My '84 must have had the SROD. It was a 4spd OD and always shifted beautifully right up to the present at 76,000 miles with only one lube change at 90,000 to 10w40 oil (my boss drives it now). My '95 Mazda 5spd OD is a bit chunky and is difficult to get into first once warmed up. It has only 63,000 miles. Also the Mazda is sometimes difficult to find the correct gate. I think the gates are spaced too closely together and also the spring to keep you out of the OD/Reverse gate is not very strong. Overall, I'd love to have my old SROD back!
Senior User
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Quick question about manual transmissions
are the ZF series manuals direct bolt ins for the mazda transmissions? I have a 94 f-150 4x4 with the mazda tranny, and it makes all sorts of grinding noises in second gear and also going into third gear. The truck only has 52xxx miles on it as well.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2000
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Quick question about manual transmissions
The ZF series comes with 3 housings, 1 for small blocks..300, 302, 351w...one for big block 351m, 400, 460, 512. and another for the deisel. for reasons un-known to me ford and most of the other manf. quit using "bell Housings" that you could bolt and un bolt to the gear box. The m-5 that I had in my 150 was a decent box with 1 exception, It contiually ate the shift forks. I fixed this problem by using 30w synthetic motor oil instead of the atf fluid, I also added 1 can of "Trans-X" to keep the seals happy. after that I had no problems.