I am looking to put a 5 speed in my 76 2wd. I have been a bit indecisive on putting my C4 back in it but I am now for sure going to put a T5 in it (thanks to all who have answered my C4 questions). It will be matted with a 351w. There are lots to chose from and I was thinking of grabbing one from a mustang or I also have a line on one from a 92 f150 2wd... Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

 

85+ are all the good world class units with the 91+ being the strongest. Not much to know other than that. the 94/95 mustang units have a longer input shaft by about an inch, and when used with the 94/95 bell housing will set your trans back further.

I'm pretty sure no f150's, in fact I'm 99.9% positive that the f150/bronco's never came with a t5. The 5.0 f150's came with I believe the m4od hmmm that doesn't sound right, but it's a mazda built 5 speed.

If you want a t5, search around for one from a mustang and grab the bell too.

 

Thanks for the info v8! Is it the M5OD you are thinking of?
So I want to stay with a mustang with a 5.0 in it? No 4.6s? Thanks again.

 

perhaps the m5od, that sounds about right...I just know for a fact that it's a mazda trans and only came behind the 5.0, not the 5.8 (of course it'll still bolt to a 5.8)

the t5 debuted for ford in 1983. the 83 and 84 units came in mustangs...some other cars got them too....the tbird turbocoupe's (but those were 4 cyl trannies)(the trucks had the 4 speed, I think still the np435 in the 80s)

the 83 and 84 are non world class, but are physically identical on the outside and will bolt up just the same. I wouldn't pay more than $200 for a nwc 83/84 unit. in 85 they changed a few of the internals...got rid of the brass syncro's and went for a more modern paper type syncro...and went from a 2.95 first gear ratio to a 3.35 first gear ratio in 85. The t5 stayed the same until 91 when they changed the internal gears and it got a little stronger. Don't turn down an earlier unit though, as it's not a HUGE difference.

The nwc trannies can be id'd by the bolt top of the side of the case dr side...it'll be a hex bolt. The world class units on that bolt dr side middle of the case is a torx style bolt. THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY to id a nwc vs wc trans. I've had many people try and sell me an early trans saying it was the stronger later trans....so check for this! Stay away from the t5's that came behind the 2.3 4 cyl mustangs...they have an aweful 3.95 first gear ratio and are quite a bit weaker. The 4 cyl trannies can be id'd by the smaller input shaft diameter. Though in a crunch the 4 cyl t5 WILL bolt up to the v8 bell housing...you'll need an 80's ford ranger diesel pilot bearing to complete the conversion for that. The 3.95 first gear ratio may prove nice in a truck, but I wouldn't expect it to hold up for too long behind a 5.8L

as i mentioned, the 94/95 mustang trannies sit an inch further back...but can be modified to the fox mustang length style if you desire by just swapping the input shaft. the 5.0 t5's are what you really want.

NO 4.6 came with a t5...stay away from the 3650 and t45's, they won't work. You'll know one as it has an integral bell housing and it's a heavy SOB.

The v6 mustangs till 2000's came with a t5 that'll work too...they have the longer input shaft, but the stronger internals. In 99 or so though they changed to a dig speedo, so they won't work with your speedo unless you use a dig speedo or pull the trans apart and modify the mainshaft to work with a mechanical gear type speedo.

I prob gave you too much info, but if you come across something you want to buy and have questions, let me know. I build these on the side.

There are a few important things to inspect when looking at a t5. Grab the input shaft and output shaft and try moving it in and out of the trans. It should have no in and out movement. Side to side input movement is normal, but no in/out movement. If it does, it'll have to be reshimmed. If it's excessive i'd walk away, as that'll wear a trans quick.

Row through all the gears while it's off the car. it should move in and out of all gears smoothly and lock the input/output together for all gears.

spin the input/output shaft...should feel smooth. If it spins and feels choppy, walk away, it's got broken gears inside.

pick the t5 up and shake it. It only weighs 70 pounds....you shouldn't hear anything inside rattling around. If you do, walk away.

Good luck!

 

Thanks a ton for the info! This is exactly what I needed. Time to start looking around. I will let you know what I find.

 

I picked up a T5 last night from an 87 mustang GT for under $100 (I identified it as WC from the torx bolt). The seller said that it grinds going into reverse but other than that was good. I ran it though the gears and it seemed fine, even reverse. I have a trans guy that I will have look at it and maybe replace the synch for reverse. I looked up the tag and it is 1352-199 which is from a 91-92 mustang GT! Bonus!!! Someone must have upgraded the trans prior to the previous owner. Thanks again for the info V8only!

 

the lid of the trans should have a little circle and in that circle a stamped 2 digit #...that's also the year of the trans provided the lid wasn't swapped.

FYI, reverse wasn't syncro'd until 92 or 93, so I'm 95% confident you have a non reverse syncro t5....don't bother taking it apart, there is nothing to fix!!!

excessive reverse grinding is indicative of a loose clutch adjustment...it's not disengaging all the way.

congrats on the t5 purchase, that's a hell of a price!

 

Great, I will try it as is and see what happens. the lid does say 87 on it, so something was done with the tranny... Either way the price was right and I am excited to try it out. My truck is in pieces right now so maybe in a few months