ZF 5 spd

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Dec 4, 2008 | 08:45 PM

AndysFords

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2006

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From: Fitzpatrick Alabama

ZF 5 spd

I have an old 76 F250 with a 390 that has gone bad, it had a C6. I am toying with the idea of putting a 6.9 and a 5spd. What I am not sure about is the ZF 5 spd. All my old trucks have 4spd manuals or C6 Trannys, I've never had a 5spd for any length of time, how well do these 5spds last and how much does it cost to rebuild one. What about a NV4500 out of a Dodge or Chevy, I know they are good, would that bolt to a 4spd bell housing that fits these diesels? I know I need to find a single mass flywheel, but what else?

Dec 4, 2008 | 09:02 PM

goodB0Y

More Turbo

Joined: Jan 2008

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From: Vancouver B.C.

I have 250 thousand miles on my zf and its still tickin... literally...lol. the zf is a great tranny but its notoriously noisy especially with a solid fly-wheel. Just like Any tranny the cost of a rebuild depends on the parts it needs... if it needs main shafts and other pricey stuff it'll be expensive... bearings and seals are relatively cheap. book time to rebuild a zf tranny is 13 hrs... I dont know much about nv 4500's

Dec 4, 2008 | 09:18 PM

fellro86

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Marengo, Iowa

Parts for the NV's are getting tricky, the Cummins boys are scrambling for them hard. The thing to watch out for is 92 and newer trannies have no speedo hookup, they read off a sensor in the rear axle. The other thing is that you would about have to have a special adapter to mate up any of the other trannies to the IH motor.

Dec 4, 2008 | 11:27 PM

starmilt

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From: Faibanks Ak.

He has a 76 it has a divorced transfercase and the speedo runs off the transfercase.

Dec 5, 2008 | 05:15 AM

fellro86

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: Marengo, Iowa

I didn't see anything about being 4wd, so didn't know that part, so by that, it won't be a problem. I see it in his sig now...

Dec 5, 2008 | 10:19 AM

starmilt

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From: Faibanks Ak.

The zf trannys are tough enough not as tough as t19 or 18.
Doing this swap you will have to rig up a hydraulic clutch not to big a deal.
I have a 76 with a 6.9 and t18 4sp the problem I run into is the clearance at the bellhousing you have to twist it just right to get it out would be impossible with a zf tranny but a body lift would cure this.

Dec 7, 2008 | 08:27 PM

AndysFords

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,083

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From: Fitzpatrick Alabama

I don't have time nor money for body lifts. I guess I would be better off to use a C6 tranny, the truck already has a C6 tranny, I would just need a diesel tranny.