M5OD-R2 Questions

[cldonley]

Seriously considering doing this upgrade while the engine is out. I think I've read every word about it on CB, just want to ask a few questions to make sure I am ready to pull the trigger on this swap.

1. Alrighty, so can you use the 4x2 tranny, or only the 4x4?
2. ZF adapter for the D20 and she bolts on up?
3. Need to get the slave cylinder with the tranny and use Bronco clutch (302) right?
4. Gotta build your own cross member?
5. Should I get the truck's master cylinder or use an aftermarket, or does it matter?
6. Adapter kit comes with a mount for the t-shift. I understand you can keep it as long as shifter clears, right? Otherwise, twin-stick it.
7. Driveshaft mods required?

 

[jspurl3]

1. Nope, 4x4 only
2. Yep
3. Yes or buy one from BC bronco
4. Yes or buy one from BC bronco
5. I used aftermarket from BC bronco (see a pattern here) but I assume you could get the one from the donor truck
6. I believe that is correct but I went with twin sticks
7. Yep. Cool thing is they should end up being about the same length and interchangeable if you get in a bind.

Bonus:
BC sells a reverse light pig tail.
Also if you can find the right shift plate swap it helps a ton!
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216487

 

[NYLES]

Can get pig tail from napa

 

[cldonley]

Can get pig tail from napa

Forgot about that--for reverse lights.

 

[cldonley]

1. Nope, 4x4 only
2. Yep
3. Yes or buy one from BC bronco
4. Yes or buy one from BC bronco
5. I used aftermarket from BC bronco (see a pattern here) but I assume you could get the one from the donor truck
6. I believe that is correct but I went with twin sticks
7. Yep. Cool thing is they should end up being about the same length and interchangeable if you get in a bind.

Bonus:
BC sells a reverse light pig tail.
Also if you can find the right shift plate swap it helps a ton!
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216487

Thanks for all that! Looking at a few with the aft-most shifter position.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Here is a 2wd (in front) and a 4x4 M5OD, you can see the 2wd output will not work:

 

[DaveLev]

I believe you can get the 2wd one, but you need to then modify the output shaft and tail housing to match. I may be mistaken on this - been a while. Bottom line = cheaper most likely to pay a bit extra for the 4wd trans with everything you need than finding the 2wd and adding the expensive parts/rebuilding the trans to meet your need.

 

[cldonley]

Thanks guys. CB is awesome!

 

[sykanr0ng]

Ok. I went through this also. There are three positions for the shift tower. One is for pre 87. Next is 88 to 94 or 95. Then is 96 to current. No difference between 2x4 or 4x4. Ford part swap manual says the first two interchange but the third has shift forks of a diffent material so although it will physically bolt to the top the shift forks will prematurely wear out. You can use the current body style truck 6 cyl m5r2 trans and have the latest version with the farthest back shift location

Thanks for all that! Looking at a few with the aft-most shifter position.

There is also an M5OD that was used in the T-bird Super Coupe, with a shifter far back, don't think it would work for you but watch out if buying one.

 

[Crush]

Tbird and ranger trans are the r1 variety. Bell housing bolt pattern is car v6 so will not work. Aside from being 2x4. Also dont be fooled with ranger 4x4 r1. They look alike but are shorter and different bell housing bolt pattern. If you get one from an 04 up v6 4x4 it will have the toughest internals. The farhtest back shifter. But you will have to drill out the bell housing bolts because the newer trucks use smaller bolts. plenty of metal there to drill out though. Also i used the master and hose out of the truck. That way a replacement is just a parts store away

 

[bronconut73]

Back in the 90's (I was the fleet manager back then too) we had a fleet (60+) F-150's with the 5 speed (M50) and about a dozen F-250/350's with the 5 speed (ZF).
I know the ZF's are way stronger and have a much lower first gear but the F-150's shifted so nice/smooth accelerated well and "felt" really strong.
We had many techs burn up clutches but we never....and I mean never had a tranny failure. Not one in 10+ years of that generation of trucks. We are brutally tough on our trucks and often put 160,000+ miles on them.
I think that M50 is prolly a pretty damn good tranny but just can't get out of the shadow of its big brother the ZF.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Tbird and ranger trans are the r1 variety. Bell housing bolt pattern is car v6 so will not work. Aside from being 2x4. Also dont be fooled with ranger 4x4 r1. They look alike but are shorter and different bell housing bolt pattern. If you get one from an 04 up v6 4x4 it will have the toughest internals. The farhtest back shifter. But you will have to drill out the bell housing bolts because the newer trucks use smaller bolts. plenty of metal there to drill out though. Also i used the master and hose out of the truck. That way a replacement is just a parts store away

Later Windsor V8 pattern
Note: this is commonly called the Ford Small-block V8 pattern, though it is used in some "big block"-sized V8's as well as some V6's and I6's.
200 I6 1978-1983 only, partial (4 of 6 bolts) pattern.
250 I6
255 V8
289 V8 - (made after August 3, 1964) - had 6 bolts holding bellhousing to block
302 Cleveland (Australia)
351 Cleveland V8 (not the 351 Cleveland M-block engine)
351 Boss
351 Cobra Jet
302 Windsor V8
351 Windsor V8
400 Cleveland M-block V8 aka 400FMX (certain 1973 casting numbers D1AE and D3AE, mated to the FMX transmission)
3.8/3.9/4.2L Canadian Essex 90° V6 (RWD only)
240 I6
300 I6
4.6L Modular V8 (first two casting runs, numbers F1AE and F2VE)
5.0L Windsor V8
5.8L Windsor V8

This is the one in the T-bird SC which came with the M5R2-RKE transmission.

Yes it is a 2wd, but people do swap out shifters.
But that one will not fit.

 

[Slednut10]

Here's where the shifter falls with the 97 to 04 V6 units. I did pie cut and weld my shifter to push it about 2-3 in to the right so it wouldn't hit my knee in 2nd gear

 

[Crush]

And here is where my 89 m5 shifter comes out

 

[grant_71]

There is a weak spot on the tranny, and it has nothing to do with the internal construction.

Take the shifter cover off, pop out the 3 rubber/plastic plugs on the back of the shift rails, drill and tap for 1/2"NPT ( I think), Replace with pipe flush plugs.

The plugs get hard and brittle over time, and break/disintegrate. There is an oil slinger that splashes oil up on the shift rails to lube them as you drive. with out those plugs, it slowly splashes out....but only while you drive.

 

[sykanr0ng]

There is a weak spot on the tranny, and it has nothing to do with the internal construction.

Take the shifter cover off, pop out the 3 rubber/plastic plugs on the back of the shift rails, drill and tap for 1/2"NPT ( I think), Replace with pipe flush plugs.

The plugs get hard and brittle over time, and break/disintegrate. There is an oil slinger that splashes oil up on the shift rails to lube them as you drive. with out those plugs, it slowly splashes out....but only while you drive.

The simpler fix is 'freeze plugs' in those holes.

 

[cldonley]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I am going to plunge into this mod. Looks like a great option for a really versatile bullet proof (thanks, bronconut!)transmission. There are several around here in Texas out of 93 and later 4x4 F150s according to Car-Part.com at fairly reasonable prices. And thanks for the pics--looks like I really need to hold out for the later model with the aft-most shift location.

 

[Slednut10]

The simpler fix is 'freeze plugs' in those holes.

It's a .625 (5/8) plug. Dorman #555-108

 

[agboy91]

I did this mod. I have a M5OD-R2 behind a 2000 explore engine ( Thanks EFI Guy for the wiring help, it started). I used a 205 t-Case from a 78 or 79 bronco, twin stick doing the slight housing modifications. Also had to make the drive shafts as the stock shafts won't Fit. Mine was a 4wd M5OD from a 97 F150. Hope to have it on the road this weekend. I did the 205 as it was less expensive than going the adapter route.

I also swapped the top cover to the one farthest back, had to mill the shift forks as the one I swapped in had the aluminum forks. It seems to work well and moved the shifter back away from the dash.

I hooked up the hyd master\slave clutch. Be sure to get a new Slave Cyl and install it before you put it in. I didn't and had to pull the tranny to replace the slave Cyl as it leaked when i tried to get it to bleed it.

Good luck.