T5 transmission swap
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T5 transmission swap
I've a 1977 ford f-250 with a 71 f-250 body, bed etc. basically everything but the body is 77 ford f250 4x4 3/4 ton standard issue with the t19 4speed top loader, front disc rear drum, 351M ,etc. My question is: has anyone tried to replace the t-19 trans with a T5 in a truck that also has the manual 4x4 transfer case? My baby is up for some work and I'm contemplating the t-5 swap after reading an article about swapping the old mustang manual trans with the t5 and still retaining the original v8 bellhousing, clutch assembly, et al.My two biggest concerns are the shifter location would mean changing seat to one from a ranger or similar vehicle with the T5 trans. and because of its size what worries me most is it hitting the linkage for the transfer case, as I'd like to keep it a 4wheeler.Any and all help, comment would be appreciated. Thank you.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Welcome to the site;
Guess I will be the first to jump in here, and say that I do not see too many advantages to a T5 swap in an early 4wd application. The first gear options are poor, and many of the transmissions are weak at best. While some can withstand a decent amount of power (here is where we hear about a 10 second camaro or mustang with a handshaker) they are not up to the task of a 4wd application, and the torque demands associated with this application.
You already hit on the shifter issues, may not have considered the overall ratios and the advantages or dis-advantages that may be associated here.
You have a 77 truck, so one can only assume that the t-case is remote mounted so, making a jack shaft should be easy, and really since the case is way back there, you should not have a problem with the shift lever, but this will take some fabrication.
Cool points for the thought, but I am not sure that the rewards are worth the investment.
Hope this is not an attempt to get better mileage.
This can be obtained with the 4 speed you have, with much better results.
Just my $.02
Guess I will be the first to jump in here, and say that I do not see too many advantages to a T5 swap in an early 4wd application. The first gear options are poor, and many of the transmissions are weak at best. While some can withstand a decent amount of power (here is where we hear about a 10 second camaro or mustang with a handshaker) they are not up to the task of a 4wd application, and the torque demands associated with this application.
You already hit on the shifter issues, may not have considered the overall ratios and the advantages or dis-advantages that may be associated here.
You have a 77 truck, so one can only assume that the t-case is remote mounted so, making a jack shaft should be easy, and really since the case is way back there, you should not have a problem with the shift lever, but this will take some fabrication.
Cool points for the thought, but I am not sure that the rewards are worth the investment.
Hope this is not an attempt to get better mileage.
This can be obtained with the 4 speed you have, with much better results.
Just my $.02
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 340
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From: Near Madison, WI
Hey bud, T5's are junk. Seriously, they are junk. Even the world class versions, which are supposedly the best, are fairly easily broken by stock 302's. You have to understand that torque is primarily what destroys transmission guts. Mustangs are light, and don't have much torque, that's why alot of those trannies survive. As soon as you put sticky balonies on em' and start beating them they eat third gear. Putting one in a heavy truck with even a stock 400 is a terrible idea. Besides, the t-18/t-19 are pretty stout units. Why would you want to swap out a beefy cast iron unit for a much weaker aluminum unit?
-Jared
-Jared
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
If for some reason you have your heart set on a t5(why oh why?) make sure you get a T5-WC(world class) model, from a mid to late 80's mustang, not one from 4 4 banger. With that said, the cheapest way to go is a big block ZF 5 speed. It would be interesting to see you mount a tcase to the T5(assuming your 77 is a lowboy)
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
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From: SW Michigan
Trannies
Racing, the T5 is not even remotely close to strong enough for truck usage. You might want to look at a gear vendors unit installed between the trans and T-case, or a ZF five speed, the NV4500, or the Clark 280 series five speeds. DinosaurFan, on work's old 'puter
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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The T5 in a F250? would not be a good fit. I have a T5 in a jeep CJ 7 straight 6 (and the world class is not much better trust me been there done that one) and if I put one in my F250 4x4 460, I realy think I would get around the block. As for the T5 it has a 23 spline output shaft and the only transfercase that will bolt up to it is the dana 300 (good strong unit but way to small for a 3/4 truck, or some nv241s (junk inmo.) By time you got all the adaptors and dirveshafts made you are better off with the nv4500 if you want the over drive. Just my opion.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
In case this was missed, ZF will bolt up with out any modifications or adapters if you choose the right parts.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Saint Paul, MN
T4's and T5's are not very good transmissions. At least not for performance.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/t4_t5.htm
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/t4_t5.htm
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T5 transmission swap
Thanks for all the helpfoul info guys, and yes I'd like the overdrive and better mileage of a 5speed trans. I honestly wouldn't be doing as much off road four wheeling as I would daily driving here and there.I'll look into the NV4500 trans to see what involved with the install. Anyone have a link to a site that explains the install into a ford? My transfer case is "remote" as I have an intermediate shaft that goes fom the trans-transfer case--rear diff which concerned me some when i looked at other ford trans that were mounted directly to the tranfer case. Its not what i'd consider a "lowboy" since it has what looks like factory lift blocks in the rear and running 31inch tires on a 16.5in. wheel all around. My reason for looking into a tranny swap was to offest the high price of a gear vendors which, as I understand, can go either on the tail end of the rans or on the transfer case for 4x4 applications. Once again, thanks for all the comments and criticism. I appreciate t and keep'em coming.
Btw does anyone have any info on a six speed ford trans for truck? Just wondering.
Btw does anyone have any info on a six speed ford trans for truck? Just wondering.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: SW Michigan
trannies
Racing, the GV unit in a 4x4 properly goes between the trans and t-case. It is a little more work, but very doable. If the GV unit is too expensive, how about the Clark 280 series and some much taller tires ? DinosaurFan, on work's old 'puter
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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There is a guy posted in the trans form that has done the nv4500 swap and, no it wont bolt up to a ford bellhousing but used a ataptor. not cheep swap but interesting article. I dont know how to do links but was easy to sarch for
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,512
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From: Wildwood Pa
http://www.keislerauto.com/home.html
Take a look at the TKO offerings they have. Give them a call, they might have something that would work for you. Scott
Take a look at the TKO offerings they have. Give them a call, they might have something that would work for you. Scott
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