Mazda M5OD Worth the effort, or hold out for a ZF

[1970excursion]

Found a guy parting out a 91 F-150, has a 302EFI and M5od, only wants $250 for the entire motor tranny and t-case.

The whole set-up is too cheap to pass up, but..... Is it worth the pain to swap in the Mazda tranny, will I hend up wishing I had a ZF instead????

I used to have a 91 with that tranny, and the first gear seemed to high to be a granny, and too low to be a drive able first gear.. Although I do have much different gearing in my BKO.

Thoughts?

 

[Pat B]

I'm on the hunt for a M5R2 to replace my ZF. I really don't need the granny low....

Pat

 

[Broncobowsher]

Do you want a wide ratio truck box (your old 3-speed with granny and overdrive) or would you prefer something with closer gearing that would probably be more enjoyable on the street?

Nothing wrong with the Mazda, just a little different. Fairly strong. Only real known fault are some rubber plugs that fall out and let the trans leak oil and run itself dry. Metal plugs will fix that.

 

[bigcountry]

I think the zf is a direct swap for the m5r2, so if you put the mazda trans in and decide later to do the zf, it should be a direct bolt in. The shifter hole may need to be recut depending on the location.