I own a 2 wheel drive 94 f-150 with an M5OD. I dislike this tranny a lot but I won't get into why unless someone asks. I want to convert to a auto tranny. What automatic transmissions did a 94 F-150 come with? What automatic trannys will fit a 94 with a 300 I6? Are any of them better than others? Is there a way to get a 4 speed auto thats not computer controlled? I have converted auto tranny in cars to a manual before, but now I want an auto in this truck. Any advice, opinions, suggestions would be very appreciated. Thanks!

 

I just bought a 96f150 with the 300 I6 and it has the E4OD behind it but its computer controlled I think.I just got to ask,what is bad about that Mazda trans?It took me forever to find my truck,99% of the F150s around here with 300s have the 5spd.I needed an auto because I`m towing a 4k lb boat,eventhough people on here(say they) tow ALOT with those mazda trans but I wasnt taking any chances.

 

I have towed a full size chevy truck on a trailer over 100 miles with the M5OD and it did fine. Durability isnt my main concern with it. I don't know if its just mine or what, but Its a pain in the *** to drive. It dont like to go into 2nd gear very easy, and first seems kinda low, reverse seems very high. Its seems, awkward, jerky, and damn near imposiible to drive smoothly. I can drive a standard, this isnt because i cant drive a stick. It is frustrating that it takes a a full 2 seconds to shift into 2nd gear, and the overall feel of shifting is slow and clumsy. Thats why i dislike the M5OD in my truck. I will say that I used to have a ranger with an M5OD that worked fine. I want an auto tho

 

There area few that will work:
3 spd-- C6, C4
4 spd-- AOD

These just need vacuum and TV cable connections, no electronics, and should be any easy swap, since you have a 2wd.

 

I just put an AOD behind my 92 300 that had a 5 speed.
I have to agree, the 5 speed first and reverse are ridiculously high for a truck. but mine shifted fine and did a lot of hauling for me.
I had planned on changing my gears, but I took it for a test ride with the 3.08's and I definately would not suggest pulling anything with that combo. (300 + AOD + 3.08 )
3.55 at min. I would love to have 3.73 or 4.10's.
check baumann engineering for their suggestions on what to look for in an AOD.
C-6 is more reliable but the AOD can be put together to be solid too.

 

I assume the C6 is vacuum controlled right? If I install a C6 behind a 94 300, will I be able to hook up the vacuum controls correctly with a little back yard engineering? Will the vacuum controlled tranny cause any problems with the computer? Is it possible that I will always have a check engine light from fluctuating vacuum pressure or anything crazy like that? I won't do a lot of towing, but when I do, it will likely be another truck on a 16 ft trailer. 3rd gear on the c6 is 1.0 I assume, and I think that 4th on the M5OD is also 1.0, Is it possible to use a higher geared rear with a c6 and a 300 I6, and keep good low rpms at high speed (85-95mph), and still be able to accelerate quickly from a stop?
Thanks for al the help

 

I wont be towing too often (1 or 2x a month) with my truck either and I`m switching to the 3.55 from 3.08.Ford rates the 90`s f150s(300 6) to tow 5800lbs with an auto trans and 3.55 gears.I figure gas mileage(higher rpms) would really suffer with a 3.73-4.10 especially without an overdrive on that C6.Are you going to really be towing at 80-95mph???I wouldnt go over 65.

 

I hear yah Lukes66, my tranny is the same, and it's a rebuilt, are fitted to a splined shaft unlike the zf which are just pressed to a smooth shaft, but the synchros in the M5OD are horrible. Back to the topic, I have heard many things about having autos with a 300, some that have converted say they are more doggy than with a stick. I'm still trying to decide if i want to go the auto route, C6 or AOD would be my choices also.

 

I would have to say if you're looking to be going 80-90 and also towing the c-6 isn't the right fit.
I went through the same scenerio when I was changing mine.
I did a spreadsheet in excel to compare the ratio's with the trannys and rear end ratios to get an Idea of what I wanted.
I compared my 5 speed with 3.08's.
An AOD with 3.73 is very similar. an AOD with 4.10 gears would give you about the same first and an OD inbetween my 4th and 5th, which is what combo I will eventually have.
I think the c-6 first gear ratio is 2.4:1(that is what it is on the aod). that is in-between 2nd and 3rd with your 5 speed, so I imagined pulling out in second all the time.
If mine was 2wd I would put the 4.10's in in a heart beat but I dont have the cash right now for them.
as far as messing up the computer with a c6, I would have to say that it wouldnt do anything, it is not like it is leaking vacuum it is just sensing the pressure, just like adding cruise.

 

I would have to say if you're looking to be going 80-90 and also towing the c-6 isn't the right fit.
I went through the same scenerio when I was changing mine.
I did a spreadsheet in excel to compare the ratio's with the trannys and rear end ratios to get an Idea of what I wanted.
I compared my 5 speed with 3.08's.
An AOD with 3.73 is very similar. an AOD with 4.10 gears would give you about the same first and an OD inbetween my 4th and 5th, which is what combo I will eventually have.
I think the c-6 first gear ratio is 2.4:1(that is what it is on the aod). that is in-between 2nd and 3rd with your 5 speed, so I imagined pulling out in second all the time.
If mine was 2wd I would put the 4.10's in in a heart beat but I dont have the cash right now for them.
as far as messing up the computer with a c6, I would have to say that it wouldnt do anything, it is not like it is leaking vacuum it is just sensing the pressure, just like adding cruise.
3.08 would be a good rear gear for a c-6 and highway speed but not for pulling out with a load on.

 

Mike B
i wont be towing at 85-95 lol. Im not insane, doubt the 300 6 would do that at all lol. But I want to be able to drive 85-90 without redlining the engine. Currently, redline in 5th gear is about 90 mph, it really sucks.

 

C6, C4 ratios--> 2.46, 1.46, 1:1
AOD -->2.40, 1.47, 1, .67(od)

That said the AOD would be the better choice as it has the same ratios as the C6, in the towing aspect. The OD would help out the economy factor, if you would be running low gears(3.73, 4.11) to up you towing capacity. Also the AOD has a lock-up converter.

As for effecting you computer it won't, it will still think you have a stick. All that is connected is a vacuum line, TV cable, and shift linkage. The vacuum is just reference for shifting, and unless you have a leak it won't effect engine operation.

 

Oops the C4 is 2.26

Also, I think there is an SVO wide ratio version of the C6 and AOD, but it only effects 1st, 2nd and OD(AOD).

If your wondering about durability, BIGFOOT uses the C6 (modified of course) and holds up to 1500hp.

 

ok, it sounds like I will need to use the AOD, because of the OD gear. Is it difficult to set up the TV cable/linkage whatver correctly? I'm gonna buy a used AOD and install it from a junk yard, if it breaks, I'll have it rebuilt

 

No it is not hard to setup, your haynes or chiltons manual tells how to set it up.

Make sure you get all the needed parts when you buy the tranny, like, TV cable, brackets, throttle linkages, anything that attaches to the tranny. Also you will have to purchase a new flexplate for auto trannies.

As for the shifter you can rig up one from an 80's mustang that had an auto floor shifter, or pick up one from B&M. I think there around $150 and include all needed parts for install. This way you won't have to mess with you steering column.

While in the junkyard, keep an eye out for a tranny cooler(rad), as you will need this, especially for towing applications.