92 f350 c6 to zf5 speed swap
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6th Gear
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92 f350 c6 to zf5 speed swap
Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 1992 f350 351w crew cab 4x4 with a c6 tranny. It was a us forestry truck. I obtained it about 4 years ago after pulling it out of a barn it had been sitting in for 15 years. I've done a bunch of work to it to try and get it back to good, including brakes, brake lines, headers, exhaust, gas tank, tune up. ya know everything that goes bad after sitting for 15 years. So I was driving the other day, blew a tranny line and almost immediately smoked the transmission. Im wondering if any body has swapped a zf5 speed into a truck like this and if it's worth the headache? I've found a donor truck im trying to acquire right now. It is a 94 f250 351w 4x4 regular cab. I've measured the tranny to the end yoke of the transfer case on both trucks, the 94 is three inches longer. So would be a new drive shaft. Or do I just pony up the 1200 for a reman c6? Any help would be appreciated.
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6th Gear
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Thanks, I've seen a few different ones on here. Im kinda looking for an opinion, like is it worth the hassle to do it? I mean I'd like to have a manual trans but seems like a lot of messing around. I've also got a quote to rebuild my c6 for $800 plus the torque converter. That seems a bit high seeing how I can get jasper reman for $1200. Junkyards are asking $300 to $800 but im a little scared of that route.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Texas
Or...build the C6 yourself. ATSG book and a good set of clutches from Alto, fresh band. Paper and rubber kit from Precision. Basic shift kit from Superior or Transgo. There might be some other updates, but yours is a '92 so not sure. Do some research. I like the sticky assembly goo over pet jelly, that stuff melts too fast at times. Either a low stall converter or have yours cut open and flushed.
I would not pay $1200 for a basic reman on a three speed auto.
I would not pay $1200 for a basic reman on a three speed auto.
Cargo Master
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Thanks, I've seen a few different ones on here. Im kinda looking for an opinion, like is it worth the hassle to do it? I mean I'd like to have a manual trans but seems like a lot of messing around. I've also got a quote to rebuild my c6 for $800 plus the torque converter. That seems a bit high seeing how I can get jasper reman for $1200. Junkyards are asking $300 to $800 but im a little scared of that route.
For that matter, I've no idea where you are, physically, but I've got two of them sitting here, that I'd let go of for a hell of alot less than what you're seeing. They're not exactly rare.
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6th Gear
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Im pretty mechanically inclined but auto trannys may as well be alien technology to me so I don't think me building one is a good option. I live about an hour south of buffalo so the option of getting another truck near me, that isn't a total rust bucket is near impossible. I've only found like 6 of them in junkyards within 150 miles. And the prices do seem high for a gamble.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2008
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The ZF-5 is a nice unit, especially if you prefer grabbing gears. With the ZF you'll gain OD - this would help fuel economy if you spend much time at highway speeds. That said, you'll have a lot more than $1200 into it by the time you swap, assuming you at least put fresh synchros and bearings in the ZF (I definitely would - these things are all old and well used at this point). That's not to mention all the fooling around that would be involved in a swap.
On the other hand, the C6 is a very sturdy unit. I prefer them to the goofy shifting / lockup manners Ford engineered into the electronically-controlled E4OD that replaced it. So if you just want your truck back working, the C6 is probably the fastest/cheapest route.
On the other hand, the C6 is a very sturdy unit. I prefer them to the goofy shifting / lockup manners Ford engineered into the electronically-controlled E4OD that replaced it. So if you just want your truck back working, the C6 is probably the fastest/cheapest route.
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Cargo Master
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Yeah, that's why I said I didn't know where he was. I just know that if you keep your eyes open, you can get Working pulls for next to nothing, it's not like the Seattle area is rife with cheap auto parts.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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You would really want to have a manual transmission truck to justify the conversion. As others have said you will have a lot of time and money invested in locating the parts and actually doing the conversion. I would find a reputable transmission shop in your area and have them rebuild it. They can set it up however you want and will be close if there are any problems.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Texas
Buy the ATSG mnaual on the C6 before doing anything to decide if you can do it...which you can.
Also did you replace the cooler line and refill it? I lost a cooler line on my 300SEL years ago at 75mph. Tossed on new set, refilled, been driving fine since then.
Also did you replace the cooler line and refill it? I lost a cooler line on my 300SEL years ago at 75mph. Tossed on new set, refilled, been driving fine since then.
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6th Gear
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Yes it was an auxiliary cooler, because the truck had a plow originally. I bypassed it so now it just runs off the radiator. I refilled it and added a qt of Lucas tranny fix. I gained back reverse. But forward in any gear slips bad. Once everything got up to temp I was able to drive it home but slips and shudders upon take off or steep grade.
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