I Have An 88 Ford F-250 4x4 With A 7.3L IDI And I Want To Change Tranny's So I Can Get A Little More Speed With Lower RPM. Right Now It Has The C6 Which Is 3 Speed? Can I Put A Manual In It (5 speed) Or What Kind Of Auto Can I Put Into It? What Would Be Easier And What Tranny's Could I Use? Thanks Guys!!

 

zf5 or e4od

 

What Would All Be Involved In Putting An E4OD In And What Is A ZF5?

 

go zf5 for milage 4 speed with a od

 

The ZF 5 is a 5-spd. manual with O.D. They're usually kind of expensive to buy but I've seen many for 400-600 dollars around here. I bought a 2wd. for $40 bucks from a wrecker down the road so deals are out there if you're not in a hurry.
Obviously if you go with a manual you will have to get and install the clutch pedal, master cylinder etc. and either install a manual acess cover or cut a hole in yours.

I would assume the 4-spd., O.D., auto (E4OD) would be easier to install and I have seen them cheaper on the used market but obviously you are taking a bigger risk buying a used automatic transmission. The E4OD ( Electronic controlled, 4 speed, Over Drive is what e4od stands for) will require a stand-alone computer/controller to function properly so that adds to the cost an complexity.

You will probably have driveline(s) issues with either choice as well.

One (MAYBE!) cheaper fix is to increase your tire diameter. Diesels have a lot of loe-end "grunt" so they rarely have trouble getting up and going. You effectively raise your rearend gear ratio with larger diameter tires.
It DOES bring with it other problems though: increased rolling resistance, higher wind resistence, longer braking distances, more wear on steering components, said brakes, wheel bearings etc.

 

Great info from D/C. All I would add is that if you do decide to replace the super reliable C6 then the new trans has to be from another diesel truck.

 

Good point! VERY important.

Obviously the ZF would have to be for a diesel also.

 

i found a zf5 in a wrecked truck. Cost me $500 for the trans, and all assorted parts.
I did spend $100 for the driveshaft to be lengthened 11inches.

Simple job, took a few days to get it all done, but I wasn't in a hurry, and I was alone. After the second day I was mostly waiting for the driveshaft to get finished.

Only thing I'd have done differently? I'd have bought a SingleMassFlywheel and clutch right off instead of waiting to do it later.

 

Was Wondering If I Got Parts Off a 93 if they would all work i know a guy who has one that might be forsale the motor is screwed in that on or would i be better off to drop my motor in to that if he didn't want to much for the truck?

 

1993 does not have a cable driven speedometer like yours does. However, your transfer case should bolt up to the 1993 transmission (provided the 93' is 4wd).

 

Well Its A 4wd I Know So What Do i Use For A Speedo Then

 

What you would have to do is take the transfer case off your 1989 truck, and bolt that to the donor 1993 transmission. The transfer case is what drives the speedometer cable, so that gives you the later transmission while still keeping the mechanical speedometer drive.

After 1992 all speedometers in these trucks are electronic.

 

if you do a tranny swap beef it up a little if you can for preventative maintenance.like shift kit to boost line pressure and maybe even a different torque converter.if mine goes if money is available thats my plan

 

look what i just found http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/1311927071.html

 

yeah, but he said 4wd, thats a 2wd unit.