best 5sp transmission to use for 5.0 swap in 4x4 ranger?

[PurpleRane94]

iv been wantn to do a 5.0 conversion in my truck since iv had the truck and now that a friend sold me a block bored 40 over with forged racing pistons and turnd crank. I figure its time to retire the 4.0. this motors gona be FAR from stock and need to what is the best transmisssion to use that will hold up to the power? or will the stock trany do well? I am keepn it a 5sp and it is a 4wd. I lookd at the t5 but I'm not sure how much trouble it would be trying to attatch a transfer case. any iputs and thoughts will be a great help asap. thanks

 

[dangerranger83]

Search button, read other threads in this section, the tech library, stickys posted above should help you out.

It all depends on what your plans are for the truck. Two good choices are the M5OD-2 and the ZF. Both are 5 speeds but from what I've read, the ZF is a bit stronger and it has a low first gear. They say the ZF fits best with a body lift but not sure if you have to have one or not for it.

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[Mac]

Welcome! Do as Dangerranger says, there is a good post just five down from this one. Might as well check out the great tech library up top also.
Dave

 

[PurpleRane94]

ok thanks and yea I have a 3in body lift so I will do some more research on those two

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It all depends on what your plans are for the truck. Two good choices are the M5OD-2 and the ZF. Both are 5 speeds but from what I've read, the ZF is a bit stronger and it has a low first gear. They say the ZF fits best with a body lift but not sure if you have to have one or not for it.

The M5OD was only used in 4.9, 5.0, 4.2 and 4.6 F-150's.

The ZF was used behind anything in a F-250/350/450 and maybe higher.

That says a lot about their strength.

 

[PurpleRane94]

what year models where thr zf's most popular?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

what year models where thr zf's most popular?

Nothing newer than 1997/8 will fit, the hard part is going to be finding a 5.8 truck to nab one out of.

 

[1986fordranger]

The M5OD was only used in 4.9, 5.0, 4.2 and 4.6 F-150's.

The ZF was used behind anything in a F-250/350/450 and maybe higher.

That says a lot about their strength.

not exactly . the M50D was also used in many 5.8 f150s and f250s . so just because you find a 5 speed tranny in a 5.8 truck doesn't mean you neccessarily have a ZF . either check your trans code on the door sill or look straight at the shifter . if it sits right about in the middle of the cab (in neutral) then its a ZF . if the shifter sit's quite abit to the left then its a M50D

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Odd they would use the M5OD behind a 5.8 in a F-250 but they wouldn't behind a 5.4 in a F-150...

Not argueing... just marveling at Ford's logic.

 

[dangerranger83]

Also the zf has pto access covers on it, one on each side.

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[1986fordranger]

Odd they would use the M5OD behind a 5.8 in a F-250 but they wouldn't behind a 5.4 in a F-150...

Not argueing... just marveling at Ford's logic.

indeed it is an odd decision to use a light truck transmission in a HD 3/4 ton with a 5.8 under the hood.......... smell's like broken parts to me lol

 

[PurpleRane94]

ok I found the one zf trany around me at a junkyard n va but they want 600 and I found a guy that has a m50d for 100. since I dnt go rock crawling and xtreme 4x4.....much. it should hold up ok I hope.its out of a f150 with a 4.2 (iv read they have the shifter in best spot for easy hookup in a ranger?)I'm planing to just go ahead and find a transfer case out of another oarnare and drivesafts too. Iv done research but havnt found the answer I realy need. is this the easiest/cheapest way or is getn the adapter the way to go? I know I have to get the driveshafts cut probably but what about the u-joints? will the u-joints on the f150 bolt fine.to my differentials? and what about the clutch, slave cyclinder and starter? once I get this info I can get on the ball so everything will help. and I'm srry if the words a

 

[PurpleRane94]

sorry about the grammar up above. I have to do all this on a pos smart phone

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If it is out of a '150 with a 4.6 it is worthless to you... 4.9/5.0/5.8 ain't pretty but you can make it work. 4.2 is ideal but you will have to enlarge the holes.

 

[PurpleRane94]

what holes?