Transmission???
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 343
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From: Jackson, MS
Transmission???
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 30-Oct-01 AT 11:16 AM (EST)[/font][p]I've got a '97 F-250 Heavy Duty Super Cab with the PSD, 5-speed transmission and a 3.55 limited slip. I've got two questions concerning the transmission. Is this the Mazda transmission or is it something more heavy-duty as would befit this setup? How tough is it? Also, if I plan to tow a 6,000lb travel trailer, can I tow in overdrive. I understand that the transmission may pull the trailer in OD, but my concern is over wear-and-tear. Will I tear up my tranny if I pull in OD?
Also, anybody got any idea what the HP/Torque specs are for the '97 PSD.
The truck will be mostly a daily driver, commuting to and from work, but will be called on to pull the trailer once a month or so. The 3.55 may not be the best choice for a towing truck, but should it serve me well with what I plan to do with it? Any comments will be welcome. It's my first PowerStroke!!!
One more question. Is the 3.55 WEAKER that, say a 3.73 or a 4.10? I mean, will it tear up quicker, or is it just not geared to pull as well?
Also, anybody got any idea what the HP/Torque specs are for the '97 PSD.
The truck will be mostly a daily driver, commuting to and from work, but will be called on to pull the trailer once a month or so. The 3.55 may not be the best choice for a towing truck, but should it serve me well with what I plan to do with it? Any comments will be welcome. It's my first PowerStroke!!!
One more question. Is the 3.55 WEAKER that, say a 3.73 or a 4.10? I mean, will it tear up quicker, or is it just not geared to pull as well?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Copley, OH
Transmission???
[QUOTE][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 30-Oct-01 AT 11:16 AM (EST)[/font]
Is this the Mazda transmission or is it something more heavy-duty as would befit this setup?
It should be the ZF, the Mazdog could never take the torgue of a PowerStroke. Look at the tranny case, if it's ribbed diagonally it's a ZF.
Will I tear up my tranny if I pull in OD?
Not if it's a ZF. Drive sensibly, use lower gears where you should and OD on level stretches.
One more question. Is the 3.55 WEAKER that, say a 3.73 or a 4.10? I mean, will it tear up quicker, or is it just not geared to pull as well?
Actually the 3.55 is very slightly stronger due to fewer but larger teeth, but there's not enough diffeence to matter.
Is this the Mazda transmission or is it something more heavy-duty as would befit this setup?
It should be the ZF, the Mazdog could never take the torgue of a PowerStroke. Look at the tranny case, if it's ribbed diagonally it's a ZF.
Will I tear up my tranny if I pull in OD?
Not if it's a ZF. Drive sensibly, use lower gears where you should and OD on level stretches.
One more question. Is the 3.55 WEAKER that, say a 3.73 or a 4.10? I mean, will it tear up quicker, or is it just not geared to pull as well?
Actually the 3.55 is very slightly stronger due to fewer but larger teeth, but there's not enough diffeence to matter.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
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Transmission???
My understanding is that the temperature of the ZF can get a little too high in certain situations if towing in overdrive. The tranny stays cooler when towing in 4th because this gear is straight through the tranny and there is less frictional heat developed in the tranny. It might not be a bad idea to put a temperature gauge on the tranny if you want to tow in OD.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
Transmission???
To go along with the temp guage--Something I've thought about: plumbing in a small pump and oil radiator, something like the automatics run.
Did I say automatics? That ZF (and the Mazda)use ATF--nowhere near the lubricity of a trans oil!
Eddie
Did I say automatics? That ZF (and the Mazda)use ATF--nowhere near the lubricity of a trans oil!
Eddie
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
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From: Copley, OH
Transmission???
Yeah, but you can use Redline or Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and increase the lubricity and heat tolerance. How you going to hook up a cooler without a recirculating pump? Inquiring minds want to know?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
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Transmission???
You would, in fact need a pump of some sort for the tranny cooler. I suspect that I will in fact do what you mention and add a tranny cooler. There is somebody out there that makes an aluminum plate that has multiple ports for temp senders and/or plumbing for tranny coolers and goes on where the pto plate is. The last few model years of the ZF 6spd have had a tranny cooler from the factory.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Transmission???
I would bet both my eye teeth and other parts of my anatomy that it is not a mazda unit. If memory serves me it should be a ZF unit. Very tough, very expensive. The 3.55 uses the same bearing sizes, etc., and should pose no threat to wearing out quicker than the others, contrary it may last longer due to less pinion speed, but with higher ultimate loading characteristics that an exceelent synthetic oil should be able to handle. Finally, a 6000 lb trailer should be a walk in the park for the PSD. I know a guy towing a 32 ft horse trailer with a dressing room, tack (equip) room, and room for 5 horses each weighing 1200# each. Fully loaded, this combo comes up to around 17,000# gross weight, and his 2wd PSD crew cab 350 with 4.10 5speed pulls really well and hands back 13 mpg with the load on. Will pull approx a 6%grade in 3rd gear, max out on rpm, but a shift to 4th results in a steady drop to an undesirable lugging condition.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 19
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From: Lakeland USA
Transmission???
97 F250HD, 7.3PSD, 5 speed manual, 3.55 ratio rear end, 6000# trailer??
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!
You're factory rated for a 10,000# (+-200) trailer. Seems to me you're "lookin' for fly specs in the pepper".
Roger
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!
You're factory rated for a 10,000# (+-200) trailer. Seems to me you're "lookin' for fly specs in the pepper".
Roger
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2001
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Transmission???
The tranny is a ZF 5spd, bulletproof...almost. If you are worried about temps, install a temp gauge and new synthetic fluid. The weak link here is the dual mass flywheel. When they start going out you'll know it, they make alot of noise but shouldn't leave you stranded. I drove one with a bad flywheel for almost 500 miles.