4 spd to 5spd

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Nov 21, 2007 | 02:34 PM

hawkmaneg

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4 spd to 5spd

I have an 89 f150 4x4 with a 302 and a 4 spd and wondered if it would be to hard to put a 5 spd in it instead . what might be compatible , thanks Scott

Nov 21, 2007 | 03:49 PM

phatpharm85

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From: torrington,ct

I believe all you should need is the 5 speed cross memeber(i think its different), the 5 speed tranny(from a small block or I6 thats 4x4), possibly with the slave cylinder if there is a difference in lines or something and probably a shorter driveshaft. that should give you a good idea but i'm sure someone else will chime in with a more complete list.

Is your truck more of a daily driver? or do you use it pretty hard? Heres somethng to think about. From what I know the only 5 speed really available to go in is the mazda 5 speed, alot of people here don't like them, say they are weak. Granted they are not the best but I can attest to having one that took quite the beating.

Someone may be able to answer better but i you can find one, the ZF tranny from a f-250 on up may work too, there were available behind the 351's so the should have the same bell housing pattern and such(again must be from a small block)

Nov 21, 2007 | 04:34 PM

flareside_thunder

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From: Florida

Phat Farm's pretty much got it covered...but it'll be driveshafts not just one but probly both.....now I gotta ask...why?I understand that the T-18 is a lowly transmission (although i can tell you some wild stories bout mine) but downgrade to a 5 speed?I'm assuming you're going for mileage and a little more response...it's all good....I got a buddy with an M5OD in his 92 F-250 with a windsor and 36 inch Humvee tires...he beats the living crap out of it and it takes some more.......I think the ZF is rated high just because they came in the Big trucks.......Both the ZF's and the Mazda trannies will bolt up...it wshouldn't matter on what it's coming out of as long as you got the bellhousing (they're detachable)Luck

JR

Nov 21, 2007 | 04:53 PM

phatpharm85

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From: torrington,ct

on the zf i also believe the diesel uses a different input shaft that will not work with the small block cranks. i also thought i read some were that the bell housings on these are not removable but i have never had one out so i'm just going on the grapevine.

Nov 21, 2007 | 04:58 PM

flareside_thunder

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From: Florida

I stand corrected...why do they always need to "upgrade" this crap...both the ZF and Mazda trannies are one piece...find one out of a smallblock....Luck

JR

Nov 21, 2007 | 06:40 PM

hawkmaneg

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Thanks

Thanks for the response , since i dont use it for a daily driver i think i will just stay with the 4 speed . Is first a granny on the 4 speed and since i dont have a tach how fast do you usually go in third . I know these are a bit dumb as questions go but with the 302 getting on the freeway it seems like i bog if i shift into 4th before at least 50 . Thanks everyone

Nov 21, 2007 | 07:50 PM

rbloodhound

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From: Crowville Louisiana

The 4 speed is a strong tranny. They are tuff. Now saying that I have an 88 F150 see sig. It has a mazda 5 speed in it. All that I have ever had to do is change the sacranizers. It has run up to 40" swampers. I use to mud race it with 36" tsl's. We would come off the line dumping the clutch @ 2800 rpm in low range. This was straight line drag racing in the mud. I never had any tranny problems and only one tcase. It is hard to find some one who has been harder on their truck than me who hasn't broken something.

Question. If it is an 89 it should have origanaly come with a 5 speed right? I havent ever seen a 4 speed in that model that wasn't swaped in by someone.

Nov 21, 2007 | 10:05 PM

flareside_thunder

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From: Florida

I have never seen a 5 spd that wasn't swapped in all the rest had been T-18 granny 4 spds.......a highway flyer transmission?which one was that?That'd be a 5 spd for sure....

JR