ZF 4X4 to 2WD tailshaft swap

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Jul 25, 2007 | 06:58 AM

skosler

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Central TEXAS

ZF 4X4 to 2WD tailshaft swap

I can get a good ZF out of a 91' 351W 4X4 with all the accessories(clutch, master/slave, etc) for $50 and would like to put it on a 2WD. I have heard 2 different stories about swapping the tail shaft out. One was the "it's way too much time and money to make it worth the trouble" and the other was "sounds like a good deal and wouldn't be too hard to do". What do ya'll think? I got the time, but would like to do it for under $200. Is it possible?

thanks,
stephen

Apr 28, 2009 | 11:43 AM

Alvin in AZ

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From: Gadsden Purchase

Wow, no answer. :/
What about a 4wd E4OD tail piece swapped to a ZF/M4OD-HD 2wd?
Will it work?
Will it fit?

Alvin in AZ

Apr 28, 2009 | 01:05 PM

Alvin in AZ

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Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,760

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From: Gadsden Purchase

Called and talked to a guy at a transmission shop.
He said that 2wd to 4wd and back is no problem as long as the two
transmissions are the same like... E4OD to E4OD and ZF to ZF and
Mazda to Mazda.

We didn't go into the details but different "brands" of transmissions
have varying lengths within type including placement of the mount.

It was over the phone so I'd like confirmation and/or corrections made
to that. Got a source where it's all written out already? :)

"Ford never learned how to make the same part twice ;)"
-my Chevy buddies

------------------

I've been looking for a manual Bronco for about two years and came
across a smokin' deal on a '91 automatic I couldn't pass up. :) Now
I'm looking to convert it. Time and effort are not a concern of mine,
just parts compatibility problems and trying not to waste my money
on the wrong "parts truck" are my main concerns.

Got any suggestions or comments or corrections? :)

Alvin in AZ

Apr 28, 2009 | 05:33 PM

Festus Hagen

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From: Maine (NorCal Native)

It's not that easy with a ZF, It's not just a matter of swapping a tail shaft housing, On a ZF5 the tail shaft housing is also the back half of the case. It is a rear loaded transmission.

You also have to change the main shaft. (output shaft)

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

Apr 28, 2009 | 10:05 PM

Alvin in AZ

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Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,760

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From: Gadsden Purchase

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus Hagen

It's not that easy with a ZF, It's not just a matter of swapping a
tail shaft housing, On a ZF5 the tail shaft housing is also the back
half of the case. It is a rear loaded transmission.
You also have to change the main shaft. (output shaft)
fh

Yep. :)
Learnin' more all the time. LOL :)

Basically to make this thing work, I need an F250/350 donor truck, that is
a manual 4wd and is a '91 with a 5.8 so the computer will swap too.

Easy. ;)

The donor don't need an engine, already got one.
I'd like it to have a nice bench seat to reupholster tho. ;)

The plan is to put a 4 inch stroker crank in the 351W and turn it into a boxy
300-I6 with two extra cylinders. :) They call them 408's. The 408 plus a
wide ratio ZF (with a granny gear to skip over) plus an over drive for the
freeway. :)

Did Ford even sell anything like that?

Alvin in AZ