I was finally able to swap my T18 for a M5OD and let me tell you I really like the way the truck drives with the new tranny. I looked for a ZF but could not find one local. For what I use the truck for I think this one will do just fine. I installed a freshly turned flywheel, new clutch, pressure plate, slave cylinder, pilot shaft bearing. I serviced it with Allison Synthetic ATF. I used the speedo gear from the T18 and the speedo works perfect. I had to shorten my drive shaft 9inches. To top it off I also installed a set of alcoa factory aluminum wheels of a 96 F150 with a almost new set of Firestone Destination LE 235/75/15. I got the wheels and tires for $300 at the JY. still need to work on the new fuel system upgrade.

 

pictures,we need pictures

 

i like to hear this.. i am about to do the same swap but i am going from an AOD to the 5 speed...

ive been nervous about not using a ZF... i go off road about once a year and my truck is mostly used to tote my butt and a couple hundred pounds of tools around so i think i will be ok..

 

The M5OD is a decent transmission, I had one in a 95 F-150 and used it to pull around 10k without any problems. You just have to be wary of the plastic plugs on the top that kill it. Swap those out with brass plugs and you should be good for a long time.

 

Gotta love that overdrive. My NP435 kills me on the highway.

 

Just out of curiosity how does the ZF5 compare to the old 4 speeds w/ granny low like the t-18 and the np435 as far as strength and durability is concerned?

 

I've read slightly less durable, but really, they are all tanks. I'd take one in place of my NP435 as long as it was as in as good condition. I really need an overdrive, but am not willing to sacrifice my 6.68:1 first. They are all more than plenty for a 1/2 ton truck.

 

I read somewhere that they used to put t-18's and NP435's in dump trucks. So a ZF is basically a 5 speed with granny 1st and an overdrive 5th?

 

Yup, that is pretty much it.

 

OK ... you guys have caught my interest ... and now have my FULL and UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.

I have A 1982 F100 4X4 ... that has a 302 V8 and a T170 (RUG) 4 speed out of an 84 F150. Stock wheels and tires.

I would LOVE to have a trans with both a granny gear first ... WITH an OD on top ... AND keep my 4X4.

I can do all that "get a trans outta this one and a bell housing outta that one" with British and (some) German Sports cars ... But I don't know Ford Pick Ups well enough yet.

So I have some Questions:

1. Which transmission(s) would give me BOTH a granny gear AND an OD 5th?

2. Will it survive some LIGHT to MODERATE off roading ... and still be strong enough to haul a trailer?

3. Can I bolt my New Process 208 (I think) transfer case onto ANY manual trans if I can't a trans with a transfer case in a bone yard?

4. Are these conversions a "bolt in"? I just installed a new clutch and etc ... will I have to have the drive shaft altered? What else would I have to change after the installation?

5. Is this expensive?

Thanks.

 

Your best bet would be a ZF. It has the overdrive and granny low. They can be pricey though. You also need to find a small block specific one since the bellhousing is case into the trans. Yes, it will hold up to what you can throw at it, but again, will be much pricier than a NP 435 swap or a T18 swap. If you are doing it for fuel economy, you might want to weigh fuel savings vs the cost of the unit and driveshaft shortening/lengthening as it might not be what you expected. I would love to do the swap myself, but the price is the obstacle for me.

Your 208 will also bolt to the back of it.

 

ROUGHLY ... because we can't REALLY know until we KNOW ...

How "pricey" could it be at a bone yard? $200? $500? MORE???

I'm really not doing it for the economy ... I get 13 to 15 MPG with the RUG trans no matter what I do. And my Truck ain't gettin' driven daily. I drive it when I want it!



Its really the low first gear I'm after.

And would be willing to pay for. I have a good RUG 4 speed ... maybe I can sell it and recover a couple of bucks.


But if I can have EVERYTHING ... a low first and an OD on top ... WITH durability ... that would be GREAT.




I am not familiar with the characteristics of these transmissions. Would an NP 435, M50D, T18 and a ZF ALL give me the same low first ... with an OD on top? Are they ALL 5 spds?

Or do some of these transmissions have weaknesses like the RUG?

 

Only the T 18 and the ZF have the low 1st gear, but the T18 is a 4 speed, no OD. ZF is a 5 speed w/ OD

 

So ZF it is! For a small block!!!

I did some looking on Craigslist ... It looks like they run about $350 to $400, used.

I guess I'll be looking for F150 and F250 Pick Ups? Any other applications?

Anybody know what years Ford installed these into their trucks?

 

the ZF didnt come in a 150, only in 250s and 350s. they were installed from 88-97