M5OD or ZF

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Jan 12, 2007 | 10:36 AM

FrontRangeF150

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From: Longmont, Colorado

M5OD or ZF

I was under the assuption that I have an M5OD, after reading some posts I now suspect that I have the ZF. I do not have a door sticker so that is no help! It's a 5 speed manual with 1st being a granny gear and 5th being an OD. How can I tell the difference between the two?

EDIT: Sorry I have a 91 F150 Lariat XLT, 302, 4x4

Jan 12, 2007 | 11:32 AM

jas88

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

If your first gear is a granny low, it's probably a ZF. If you look up underneath your truck, the ZF will have a plate on the side for a PTO on the driver's side of the trans. Look at some pics on eBay if you want to be sure what that looks like. Just type "Ford ZF" in the search field.

Jan 12, 2007 | 01:06 PM

gustang818

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I posted this in response to the same question in the transmissions forum:

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustang818

The easiest way is to look at the transmission. The ZF has provisions for a PTO on each side of the tranny and there is a large tag on the driver's side of the trans that has the logos for ZF and Ford. The Mazda M5OD has no provision for PTOs. The tag will let you know if you are looking at a ZF-S5-42 or ZF-S5-47. The last two digits indicate the torque rating of the transmissions. The '42 is rated at 420 ft/lbs and the '47 at 470 ft/lbs. The ZF also has diagonal crosshatching while the Mazda has horizontal/vertical crosshatching.

I have heard that some F-150s came from the factory with ZFs but in my limited experience have never seen one. The vast majority (if not all) of the F-150 manual trans vehicles came with the Mazda M5OD. The ZF was used in F-250 and larger heavy duty applications. I also recall that it didn't come stock behind the 302 engine. Not to say a previous owner couldn't have converted your truck since it is a straightforward swap.

Last edited by gustang818; Jan 12, 2007 at 01:57 PM.

Jan 12, 2007 | 01:30 PM

FrontRangeF150

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From: Longmont, Colorado

I definatly have the ZF S5-42! It has the plates on the sides for a PTO. After doing a little research, I came across this site: http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/...nny_guide.html

I do know that my truck has had a lot of work done by a couple of the previous owners. One had a welding business and installed a hide-away gooseneck hitch in the bed and beefed it up to haul his welding supplies and such. The following owner beefed it up for offroading by installing a 9" with limited slip in the rear and a locker up front. Whether or not this tranny is stock, I don't know. Thanks for the input!

Jan 12, 2007 | 02:05 PM

jas88

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From: Greater Austin, Texas

The ZF would not be a factory installed unit in a 1991 F150, AFAIK.

Jan 12, 2007 | 02:14 PM

gustang818

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Congratulations. If the previous owner was hauling a gooseneck trailer, I would suspect he was the one who did the conversion.

Hey jas88, how did you ever make out on that computer issue?