ZF5 Upgrades?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 175
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Originally Posted by Dave7.3
How much did it cost? Sounds like a good idea especially with the turbo upgrades I plan to do this summer...
Dave you run your rig pritty hard and if your not the bullet your dang close.the ats tranny and a centerforce stag 3 is a pritty tough combo.I've tryed to slip the clutch and it just wont do it.but you do have a touch more go in you motor than me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I have all confidence I would break the transmission case in under a year.
Aluminum cases just can not stand the pressure a cast iron one will.
I say this with complete confidence, the BW 1345 transfer case was supposed to be bulletproof, I split mine in half front to back.
I have seen to many ZF 5 cases split around where a bell housing would bolt to the transmission if it were seperate pieces like my T 19 is.
The T 19 tranny and the Sterling rear axle, those are bulletproof.
Aluminum cases just can not stand the pressure a cast iron one will.
I say this with complete confidence, the BW 1345 transfer case was supposed to be bulletproof, I split mine in half front to back.
I have seen to many ZF 5 cases split around where a bell housing would bolt to the transmission if it were seperate pieces like my T 19 is.
The T 19 tranny and the Sterling rear axle, those are bulletproof.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Is NV4500 designed more for towing? I am happy with the ZF5 but I am not too crazy about the 1-2 gears being as low as they are...I plan to correct this by swapping out the 4.10 gears for 3.73 or 3.55 gears. I also was wondering what other upgrades I could do for the transmission. A cooler seems like a good idea in my opinon but I want to know if anyone else had tried these out. Whitefordaward, I don't think the clutch is in too bad of shape but the ATS upgrade option depends on the price...-Dave
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
GM 93-94 95/up GM; 93/up Dodge
First Gear 6.34 5.61
Second Gear 3.44 3.04
Third Gear 1.71 1.67
Fourth Gear 1.00 1.00
Fifth Gear 0.73 0.73
Reverse 6.34 5.61
Specifications
Dry weight: 195 lbs.
Oil capacity: 1 gallon
Rated GVW: 14,500 lbs.
Case material: cast iron
Synchronizers: Carbon fiber composite
Main/Counter shaft bearings: Timken tapered roller
mine is of the dodge 2wd variaty, they had problems with the locknut that holds 5th gear on loosening and walking off. but it is believed that it is caused by engine pulses when lugging it in 5th
First Gear 6.34 5.61
Second Gear 3.44 3.04
Third Gear 1.71 1.67
Fourth Gear 1.00 1.00
Fifth Gear 0.73 0.73
Reverse 6.34 5.61
Specifications
Dry weight: 195 lbs.
Oil capacity: 1 gallon
Rated GVW: 14,500 lbs.
Case material: cast iron
Synchronizers: Carbon fiber composite
Main/Counter shaft bearings: Timken tapered roller
mine is of the dodge 2wd variaty, they had problems with the locknut that holds 5th gear on loosening and walking off. but it is believed that it is caused by engine pulses when lugging it in 5th
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
quick question. have '90 250 4x4 5 speed manual tranny. where do i look to find out what model this is. i don't know if i've got a zf5 or a br549. all i know is it's got a 1st gear tthat i can almost walk faster than. guessing i've got 4.10s in the chunks 'cause at about 1750 rpm i'm running 53-55 mph. that's sort of a guess....had to do the laid out mile (with wife's car) and time it to figure out what the speed was. have new speedo cable, just haven't put it in yet. guess i ought to, huh?
speedrdr
speedrdr
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Speedrdr, there should be a ZF emblem on the side of the case (either side) if it is a ZF. I have yet to find the plate that lists the ratios (supposed to be on the drivers side IIRC). I have 4.10 gears in my rig and I run about 2000rpm at 59mph. You sound pretty close to that number.
Muscletruck7379, it seems that GM trans has a little more grunt in 1-2 gear judging by the ratios you posted. IIRC the ZF ratio in OD is .76, the NV4500 would be a bit faster top speed in fifth but only by .03
Muscletruck7379, it seems that GM trans has a little more grunt in 1-2 gear judging by the ratios you posted. IIRC the ZF ratio in OD is .76, the NV4500 would be a bit faster top speed in fifth but only by .03
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Say, does anyone know if it is possible to modify the shift points in the ZF5? The gears seem to "overlap" too well in my opinion. For instance, if I get the rpms high enough in 1st, I can skip to 3rd, and if I get high enough in 3rd, I can skip to OD. I am planning to go with a higher rearend gear (say 3.73 or 3.55) to even out the gearing and get more use out of each gear. Is that a good idea?
-Dave
-Dave
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
From: oregon
I have the 3.55 and skip shift when convenient. 3.55's will make your gears feel "longer", and bump up your economy. you would probally find yourself shifting down more often when pulling loads and steeper grades. you wouldn't be making many more 2nd gear starts. if it were a 4x4 I would sugest keeping the 4.10's and bumping up the tire size.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
I don't tow often but I downshift anyway just to go easier on the brakes. Plus the exhaust resonates real nice when downshifting. I haul some feed and hay bales every once in a while and that is about it. I have done quite a few second gear starts lol, would be nice to actually use more of 1st gear 
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
My brother has a ZF-5 in his 94 F250 and he often skips a gear while shifting.
You can't change the shift points in a manual without physically changing the internal gears. A rearend gear ratio change is your best bet..
You can't change the shift points in a manual without physically changing the internal gears. A rearend gear ratio change is your best bet..
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 894
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From: South Dakota
Thanks Matt, I figured that was the only way but it never hurts to ask. About the shift kit you asked about, an old friend of mine has been a mechanic all his life and told me of an old trick to improve shifting in these manuals. Has to do with opening up the fluid passages more and possibly adding some. Also he mentioned something about other driveline tricks to improve power. Soon as I get a chance to talk to him agian I'll get the specifics on it 
-Dave
-Dave
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 175
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Originally Posted by Dave7.3
Is NV4500 designed more for towing? I am happy with the ZF5 but I am not too crazy about the 1-2 gears being as low as they are...I plan to correct this by swapping out the 4.10 gears for 3.73 or 3.55 gears. I also was wondering what other upgrades I could do for the transmission. A cooler seems like a good idea in my opinon but I want to know if anyone else had tried these out. Whitefordaward, I don't think the clutch is in too bad of shape but the ATS upgrade option depends on the price...-Dave
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, Mn.
There is an improved pilot bearing/bushing setup. It's supposed to help increase the input shaft bearing life, which is known to wear before any other bearings.
Does the oem ZF5 use a pilot bushing, or a pilot bearing?
Does the oem ZF5 use a pilot bushing, or a pilot bearing?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 175
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the zf5 has a pilot bearing. from what I know wasn't it the getrag 5speeds that blew 5th not the nv 4500. the overdrive gear is backed with a nut that gives loose and it usealy dose it under load.I'v had nothing but good with the nv 4500 all ower ranch trucks (dodge) have then.we had one 89 dodge barg with a Getrag 5speed in it.it did nothing but blow out 5th.