I'm new to this sight, it's very impressive. I just purchased a nice, clean 88 F350 DRW 4X4 with a 460 and a bad ZF 5 speed OD manual trans. This is the second transmission in a little over 50,000 miles. Is this normal? A rebuild starts around $1250 and used trans start at $1000 if you can find one. This truck will be used on our farm, lots of hard pulling and I was thinking about putting a snow plow on it. Is there a better alternative to the ZF trans? I've had F250/350's with 460 and C6's run 175-200,000 miles without transmission work. (Transmission coolers and regular oil changes) Is a C6 close enough in length to a ZF to swap and not to have to move the transfer case or have to alter the driveshafts? Anything I can do to beef up the ZF? This truck will probably last me 5 years or more before it "retires" so I would like to get it right the first time.

 

I can't help you with the technical aspects of a manual/ auto swap, but I just wanted to comment on your transmission. Normally the ZF is the best of Ford's light duty truck transmissions(anything below 1 ton). Many people would love to have the opportunity to have that transmission (not particularly yours, but one in working condition) because of its reputation and apparent lack of availability in junk yards. I hope you find what you need here. Best of luck.

-Kerry

 

I have never heard of a ZF coming apart. Curious, though: I blew apart the tranny in my old 'Yota twice in six months. Come to find out, it had a bent shift rail from the factory.
Is your tranny completely blowing up, or is it just losing a gear/ getting stuck in a gear?

Jared

 

It has teeth missing all over, rattles in every gear but fourth. Even idling in neutral, unless of course you push in the clutch. I believe something came apart and they kept driving it until they chewed it up pretty bad. The truck has over 100,000 miles on it. They replaced or rebuilt the transmission between 50 and 60 thousand miles, same thing kind of damage. It has a PTO, could be it wasn't properly installed? They have taken excellent overall care of the truck so I don't think it was a case of abuse. Although it was driven by many different employees.

I've been looking through the archives and can see that ZF's are well thought of on this board. I've also talked to several salvage yards and rebuilders who didn't have good things to say about them. The salvage yards can't get enough of them to meet the demand. the rebuilders tell me usually the only thing salvagable is the case. Apparently everyone agrees that lubricant type/quality is the key to these trans living healthy & happy lives? Unfortunatly I don't see where anyone can agree on exactly what lubricant that should be.

I've had 10 ford pick ups in the last 20 some years, (not counting the Rancheros or a couple of parts trucks) and I haven't had a bad one yet! Love this board! Thanks fot the input.