Which Transmission?
 

So I have a 1989 F250 that I have owned for 10 years and I am bored with the truck. I would like to swap out the automatic transmission for a manual. Even though the truck is a 3/4 ton, it has a 302 rather than a 351. My question is this, would you recommend getting the M5R2 or the ZF for this swap. The reason I ask is because it seems as though the ZF is more expensive and harder to find. Now, this truck has never seen a load heavier than my dirtbike, nor has it towed anything more than a 23' boat in the 10 years I have owned it. It doesnt go offroad at all, but it does have 35" tires on it. Further more, will the swap work with the 1/2 ton tranny, I have not done extensive research on this topic yet to find out more info. Are there pros and cons to each of the transmissions?

Mazda has more "car like" ratios, you use first to take off.

ZF uses a lower first, usually you can skip first.

Never driven either one...just what I see here and if you look at ratios:

Ford Motor Company Transmission Gear Ratio's

Mazda for your engine shown as M5OD R2, possibly R4, ZF shown as M5OD HD (gasoline).

Usually the M5OD refers to the Mazda and ZF for ZF on this site.

Gotta do the juice clutch for both.

Call me silly, I'd stay auto. Neither of these is a quick shifter...

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. I may be nuts but the slow shifting is part of why I would like the manual. My uncle had a 3/4 ford the same year as mine but it had a big block 460 and the ZF tranny. I loved driving it, it was like driving a dump truck. I already have a quick little five speed BMW, so I am looking to go the other way with my truck. Maybe I am off my rocker, I dont know. Another question I had was about mating up the the transfer case, and driveshaft length? How much different in length are either of these trannys compared to the auto?

Don't know the dimensions, but both trans come in a 4x4 version, made with a different tailshaft housing and output shaft set up.