Need some ZF 5sp experts!!

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May 9, 2010 | 02:40 PM

Doorgunner808

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 281

Likes: 1

From: Back in Central Texas

Need some ZF 5sp experts!!

Here goes it, I am underway in doing a C6 to ZF 5 sp swap in my 2WD 1988 F250 with a 7.3IDI. I have everything I need except for the flywheel and PP bolts, but that's a different story. My problem is that in my haste I neglected to notice that the 94 and up diesel f-series used the ABS tone ring for the speedo instead of the mechanical system that my truck uses. I got a rebuilt S5-47 from a 1996 f350 PSD. I got the -47 because it was newer and can handle more power (if only a bit more, but hey...) I have looked just about everywhere I can find for breakdowns of both trannys. Even though everyone says that the S542 and S547 are not interchangeable, I am assuming this is because of the speedo issue. Now I have noticed that the tail housing on my -47 is the same that is used on the 2WD -42's. I have also noticed that the mainshaft is the same between the two. I can look into the "speedo cable" hole in my -47 tailshaft and see what looks to be a spacer. My question is, since the mainshafts and tail housings are the same, can I just pull the tail housing and the "spacer" and install a speedo driver gear?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

May 9, 2010 | 04:19 PM

framerboy

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 278

Likes: 6

Scroll down a bit and also ask this question in the transmission forum. Lots of zf discussion has gone on there.

May 9, 2010 | 10:34 PM

EPNCSU2006

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 9,557

Likes: 44

From: Concord, NC

I think you can swap the spacer for the speedometer drive gear, as long as the shafts are the same size. It will require you to pull the gear assemblies from the case to get to it, though. Also be sure to measure the thickness (width) of the spacer and compare that with the speedometer gear so you get the correct pre-load on the mainshaft when you reassemble the transmission.