T5 Swap?

[SDFarmKid]

I have a ford f100 with a 302 out of 1980 Thunderbird, and i am interested in swapping in a T-5 to replace the stock 4 speed. This truck will be used mostly as a street vehicle so a T5 should work. Would i be able to take the bellhousing and transmission out of a late 80s early 90s mustang and bolt it right onto my 302? Does anybody have experience doing this kind of swap or have a better solution? Thanks Everybody!!

[BobbyFord]

T-5's are not known for their strength and durability. Not sure how long one would last in a 4,000+ lb. truck. About the heaviest vehicle that was equipped with a T-5, I think is a CJ7. When I worked for Jeep I rebuilt a ton of blown up T-5's.

[Hawkrod]

T's are not known as heavy duty trans but it isn't vehicle weight that kills them, it is torque and there is an issue between early versus later trans. There are a lot of variations and only the later WC (world class) are worth looking at. Now, having said that, the T5 is not designed for a torque monster like a nice pumped 390 which is capable of scattering a T5 at the first clutch dump. They are fun and used in the right situation will work fine and a well built one will hold up but don't expect to grab one from an 83 Mustang at Pick and Pull and expect it to last more than 5 minutes. Behind a mild 302 an early 90's T5 will hold up just fine (BTW, a stock LX Mustang weighed 3400+ pounds so it isn't like our trucks are that much heavier, just the difference between you in the truck and you, your wife, and mother in law in the Mustang! LOL). Hawkrod

[fmartin_gila1]

X 2 on what Hawkrod said. I had a 62 F100 with a 223 and replaced the stock 3 spd with a T5 from a 96 Mustang that had a 3.8 V6 in it. I ran that setup for about 6 years before selling it. The addition of the T5 and Disk Brakes on the front really made it a pleasureable driver for modern traffic. As far as I know it is still going. I used it as a driver with occasional trips to the dump and such, did take it on a couple trips cross country and had no problems. It weighed just short of 4000 lbs. The 223 is a inline 6 and would have a little less hp than the 302 but probably close to the same torque. It had a 3.7 rear in it, so I kept that in there and with 235 70 15 tires seemed to work out very good. Just my opinion on the torque(don't want to start anything).

Fred

[MadMaxetc]

I have been running my T5 behind my built 300 for over 3 years now with out any issues.

I haul 2500lbs of gravel, sand and some times junk a few times a year. And it does just fine.

Mine is a 95 WC.

I run a 3.70 rear gear.

[SDFarmKid]

Sorry about the reply gap but have been really busy with school, ffa, and our farm. I have one more question though, when you guys installed your t5s did you use a t5 bellhousing or an adapter to your original bellhousing? Thanks

[fmartin_gila1]

I used an adapter plate with mine so had to use the particular T5 with the long input shaft to make up the difference in depth of the bellhousing plus adapter. Not sure how Max did his, he should check in.

Fred

[SDFarmKid]

FMartin did you have somebody make your adapter plate or if u bought it where at? I purchased a t5 out of 95 mustang so mine also has the longer input shaft. Thanks Everybody

[Hawkrod]

FMartin did you have somebody make your adapter plate or if u bought it where at? I purchased a T5 out of 95 mustang so mine also has the longer input shaft. Thanks Everybody

All T5's are longer than a standard older Ford trans. If you are using a 60's or 70's bellhousing you have to use a spacer adapter with any T5 and there is more than one length. Hawkrod

[BobbyFord]

With as many T5's as there are out there, you would figure somebody would offer a different length input shaft.

[Hawkrod]

With as many T5's as there are out there, you would figure somebody would offer a different length input shaft.

Yes, you would think. I have always been amazed that it was not easy and cheap to buy a early length input for a T5. Hawkrod

[fmartin_gila1]

It has been a lot of years now since I did mine and I sold it about 2 years ago. I don't have any info here anymore but as I remember, I used a "kit" from John Mummert to do mine. Depends on what you start with. If 3 spd, then you get an adapter plate, a complete diaphram clutch, roller pilot bearing, TO bearing on a specially machined collar to adapt the large TO to the smaller input retainer diameter, and all needed bolts and such to mount the trans. The setup called for either 1352-236 or 238 T5 trans as they had the proper input to use with the adapter. This is what I did. The other is if you have a 4 spd, then John will either modify your bellhousing or sell you on an exchange basis a modified bellhousing. I would guess he would also furnish the proper clutch setup to use but I don't have any info as to what T5 to use. Search for a write-up from somebody from Badgerland F100s who modified his own some years ago. That's about all I can remember off the top of my head.

Fred

[Hawkrod]

It has been a lot of years now since I did mine and I sold it about 2 years ago. I don't have any info here anymore but as I remember, I used a "kit" from John Mummert to do mine. Depends on what you start with. If 3 spd, then you get an adapter plate, a complete diaphram clutch, roller pilot bearing, TO bearing on a specially machined collar to adapt the large TO to the smaller input retainer diameter, and all needed bolts and such to mount the trans. The setup called for either 1352-236 or 238 T5 trans as they had the proper input to use with the adapter. This is what I did. The other is if you have a 4 spd, then John will either modify your bellhousing or sell you on an exchange basis a modified bellhousing. I would guess he would also furnish the proper clutch setup to use but I don't have any info as to what T5 to use. Search for a write-up from somebody from Badgerland F100s who modified his own some years ago. That's about all I can remember off the top of my head.

Fred

Unfortunately none of that applies to a 302, I have to assume you have an original engine? Starting in 67 the 3 speeds and 4 speeds all had the same bellhousings and it was only earlier engines where there was a difference. Hawkrod

[SDFarmKid]

So i bought a T5 a few weeks ago to use in this swap, and over the last few weeks have been looking for another one to use in my mustang. As i was looking today i stumbled across this.
http://sd.craigslist.org/pts/2909949120.html

Anybody have any information about this tranny? WOuld this be a bolt in to a t18 bellhousing or would some modification be required? Also anybody know what the overdrive gear ratio is? Thanks Everbody for the help

[Hawkrod]

So i bought a T5 a few weeks ago to use in this swap, and over the last few weeks have been looking for another one to use in my mustang. As i was looking today i stumbled across this.
http://sd.craigslist.org/pts/2909949120.html

Anybody have any information about this tranny? WOuld this be a bolt in to a t18 bellhousing or would some modification be required? Also anybody know what the overdrive gear ratio is? Thanks Everbody for the help

The aluminum case SROD trans is the absolute worst Ford ever made. They came in light duty vehicles only and came from the factory with preinstalled optional broken gears! LOL Hawkrod