M5R2 or ZF?

[SDFarmKid]

Hello, i have been busy finishing up patching my cab. rebushing my frame, and installing disc brakes and flaring new brake lines. So i now need to figure out what transmsission i want to use. I was planning to use a T5, but it will be finding a new home in my 66 mustang here pretty soon. So i am debating between these two and dont know which one i should use, and wanted your guys opinion. This truck will be used for mostly highway driving, but since i live on a farm, it would be nice to have the option to tow feed wagons, and head carts during harvest time, and haul stuff in the bed. So in these type of situations which one would guys reccomend using? Thanks!

Info on my truck - Ford F100 Shortbed, 302, Locking Dana 60 3.54(Gotta check for sure), Flexomatic Suspension, Power Steering, Disc Brakes

[averagef250]

My experience is they're strength is equal. There are far less small block ZF's out there. They only made them for a few years and the M5R2's are still being sold.

The M5R2 has no granny gear.

[Donnie]

I think the Germans build a better unit, but as Average said, they are scarce, The Mazda unit are less expensive & easy to find..
This is just my opinion, and it doesn't carry a lot of weight... I'm stronger on Automatics & converters.........Donnie

[9t3svt]

Where are you in South Dakota? Good to have others in the hobby nearby. A friend of mine runs a trans shop and swears by the m5r2, but low 1st and reverse are nice to have.

[averagef250]

I know both trans very well. The M5R2's have a weakness- Those stupid rubber plugs in the top shift plate- They dry up and leak- PooF you're trannies gone. $1.20 in steel plugs and the trannies bomb proof.

Funny though- I've repaired many dozens of those things and don't think I ever replaced more than shift forks and an input shaft or two. Their MO is to run low on oil, roast the pocket bearing and make a lot of noise. They never really hurt anything inside. I've done a bunch of ZF's too, but very few small block versions, they didn't make very many of the small block ZF's. The Mazda M5R2 is a really good design, the things are ridiculously strong for their size. The one and only one I've seen broken from power was behind a supercharged 4.6 that drag raced in 4 wheel drive. It spit a couple teeth off 2nd gear.

ZF's are good too, but they are far more time consuming to rebuild properly and a lot more expensive.

[SDFarmKid]

Time for a little update last weekend my dad and I went and picked one up from a guy parting out a truck. Brought it home and havent done much with it yet though, because of a snowstorm last weekend, welding in cab mounts, and being busy getting ready for semester tests at school. I have looked it over and it looks like the rubber plugs have already been replaced so thats a plus, but one of the two side pins on the shifter is missing and the seal is leaking so i have to get that fixed before i put it in. I also have to get all my other parts around to complete this swap(clutch, slave, etc.). Any of u guys have any recommendations of where to get this things? Thanks for the help everybody, i just passed the one year mark and am very happy with what i have accomplished. And 93svt i live in Emery which is about halfway between Sioux Falls and Mitchell, where do you live?

[zoomer]

Keep us posted. I'm wanting to make this swap in my 71 also.. Take pics of how you do the clutch slave cylinder.

[SDFarmKid]

Keep us posted. I'm wanting to make this swap in my 71 also.. Take pics of how you do the clutch slave cylinder.

No problem, this is my senior project so im taking plenty of pics Im guessing you meant the master? I think im going to make a two plates to bolt in the inside and outside and then bolt it to the firewall, so when you push the clutch in its pushing on a larger portion of the firewall, rather than just were the cylinder attaches. Then im going to find a master cylinder with an adjustable rod or make one so that it will work since the cluth will be a little farther away. Hopefully i can work on it this weekend, see how chores go with my parents gone.

[9t3svt]

I'm in Yankton, so not terribly far away. Sounds like you have a neat project going . Any mods on the 302? I have an m5r2 that is in my way , don't think I will be using it any more. If anyone else local needs one, let me know!

[SDFarmKid]

I'm in Yankton, so not terribly far away. Sounds like you have a neat project going . Any mods on the 302? I have an m5r2 that is in my way , don't think I will be using it any more. If anyone else local needs one, let me know!

Sweet what do you have for a truck? The motor came out of a 80 Tbird so it had Duraspark II, and then previous owner(my science teacher) and his son had put a mild cam in it, ebelbrock performer intake and 4 barrel ebelbrock carb on it. I havent done much with it, cause i just wanna get it drivable first. Only drove it a mile since i bought so im really looking forward to it. Will see but ive though about converting it to e-85, but that will hinge on if we get a decent crop next year All we can do is hope

[9t3svt]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan laid out. Have you done a lot of research on running E85? May not pay with the current combo, but if you build it up with some compression or add boost, it sure is some cheap race gas.

The running bump is a 69 F100 ranger 2wd with a 360 and C6, all stock, all original. Thinking about putting new coolant hoses on it one of these days, still has all the original ones on it. Also have a 70 body out at my parent's farm that needs something done with it.

[SDFarmKid]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan laid out. Have you done a lot of research on running E85? May not pay with the current combo, but if you build it up with some compression or add boost, it sure is some cheap race gas.

The running bump is a 69 F100 ranger 2wd with a 360 and C6, all stock, all original. Thinking about putting new coolant hoses on it one of these days, still has all the original ones on it. Also have a 70 body out at my parent's farm that needs something done with it.

I havent done alot just kinda an idea for right now, and right now it doesnt pay for just a driver, but my dad is looking for another project and we have plans for a turbo 300 in that one that i think that e85 would work very well in Im gonna get mine driving 1st and then i can also work from there

Sounds like a sweet truck What are your plans for it? When i get mine done well have to meet up sometime at a car show sometime

[9t3svt]

The 69 Ranger I should probably leave alone, it is an unrestored original 41,000 mile truck in good shape, and I kinda hate to do anything to modify it . There are a few pics of it in my welcome mat thread. The 70 I've been thinking about doing a twin turbo 351 since I built a set of headers to do so in my 93 coupe, but think I may leave it a single turbo 302 since that should get it well in the 10s. An 11 sec beater truck sounds fun, maybe grab the old stock rack out of the trees and put it in the back for maximum effect.

[SDFarmKid]

Well i got my cab mounts done last night Took the transmission into the car wash and gave it a good bath, but now looking it over i cant seem to find a speedometer hookup. Its out of a 94 so i know its not mechanical but i thought there was an electronic hookup for it after 91? Any help would be appreciated.

9t3svt - Ya i know what you mean my mustang is the exact same story, It is almost completely original also, but ive decided to redo the suspension because it sits but heavy, and add a t5 so i can have an overdrive, but other than that it is staying exactly how it is and ya that does sound like a fun time

[averagef250]

91 was the last year for a speedo drive in the tranny. The speedo signal came from the rear axle in a 94 F series.