I let a friend borrow my 1989 F-150, and now that its back, the shifter is acting funny. It used to shift into gear fine with no problems, never felt loose, or had any extra play in it at all. Now when I put it into ... lets say third, it feels like I can still move it over to first or fifth there is so much play in it. By the looks of it, all the linkage is inside the tranny, and I've never taken one of these apart. Any ideas on what I'm looking at to replace? I was told it had the HD tranny when I bought it, if that helps. I know there were 2 different 5 speeds offered that year. Thanks!

 

Go to the Transmission forum (near the top of the main page) and look in the sticky thread by adrianspeeder. Once you ID your trans, we can help you.

 

Well, to be honest, I haven't really ever been sure. Looks like the Mazda to me, but then again , I dont know if i've ever really seen the ZF5 to be honest with ya. Maybe I got it backwards? I'm a SHO kinda guy. Only know things about the MTX-IV






Anyway, you can see I like to take care of my vehicles, and I'm about to start rebuilding this truck one peice at a time. Just gotta get this mechanical issue out of the way.

Here's the picture of the Transmission from the drivers side, it's 5 am and still dark out.. sorry...




Section behind the crossmember..


Any help on an ID, or what might be wrong with the linkage?

 

If you had looked at the Trans ID thread, you'd know what it is.

 

Fine then I know what it is because yes, I did read it, but I was told differently by someone before. Just double checking Mr Smart Guy. There wasn't really any info on the ZF tranny, other than gear ratio's, so how should I know for sure? You must not be smart enough to answer my question tho huh?

Model: M5OD-R2
Type: Five speed Mazda Overdrive
Years: 88-96 Bronco, F150s
..........97-03 F150s
..........05 F150 (v6)
Engines: 300, 302, 4.2L, 4.6L
Fluid: Mercon
Display:
1.3.(D)
2.4.R
Ratios:
1st 3.90:1
2nd 2.25:1
3rd 1.46:1
4th 1.00:1
5th 0.80:1
Construction features: External Ribs in square patterns <-------My only clue
Trans code: M


Model: ZF5
Type: Five speed heavyduty overdrive
Years: 87-99 F2/3/450/superduty
Engines: 300, 351, 460, 6.9?, 7.3
Fluid: Mercon
Display:
1.3.(D)
2.4.R
Ratios:
S5-42 (Diesel)
1st: 4.14
2nd: 2.37
3rd: 1.42
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.77
Reverse: 3.79




Everything I know points to Mazda's, but I was told by the previous owner that it was the HD tranny they put in the 250's. Maybe he lied to me I don't know. Thats why I asked. Nothing different with the 300's on a 150, than on the 250's? Can't be any different, and I dont know why it wouldn't bolt up. That thread would be better with pics, IMO.

Mine is a 89 F-150 with the 300. I have no door sticker to check either. So maybe someone who's not an *** could help me out a little? Just had a baby yesterday, and I'd like to use the truck to pick up some baby furniture this weekend.

 

I guess not.Maybe so.

 

Maybe you shouldn't have babies, it seems to make you cranky. Peace, Dave.

 

Easiest way to tell them apart:

The reinforcing ribs on the Mazdog case run horizontally and vertically; the ribs on the ZF case run diagonally.

From the pix you posted, you have the misfortune of owning a Mazdog.

 

i had the same problem with my 89. if you have a mazda trans which it looks like you can go through the floor board and remove the shift cover by being in neutral and pulling straight up. check your shift forks for wear because more the likely thats where the problem is. cost about $70 for both shift forks and solves the problem

 

Ok, sweet, didn't realize it was that easy to access. I'll have to crack it open when I get back to the house. Still stuck up here at the hospital until tommorow night.

And sorry for being pissy, hadn't had sleep in 2 days, and your post just rubbed me the wrong way Steve-o.

Anyway.. is there something like likes to fail on those tranny's? I was thinking about adding a cam, and some headers or something, but don't wanna tear up the tranny, guess I could, then I'd just have an excuse to get the real transmission. I'll post pics when I get her opened up. Thanks guys!

 

congrats on the baby. if you find the problem in the shift forks i can give you a web site for replacements,much much cheaper than ford. other than that make sure the trans has automatic transmission fluid in it, yes i know it a manual, and use it no matter what any body else might say. change it regularly and keep it checked often. unless you do lots of heavy pulling with the truck the trans should last you a good while. mine has lasted a 100,000 miles with light pulling and farm work, not to mention turning 33x12.50 tires.

 

For future reference:

http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/...nny_guide.html

 

Well this truck is nearing 250,000 miles on the origional rings / rod bearings, all that. Dosent blow smoke or use oil at all. So I'm doing something right. But I'll have to say I only changed the tranny fluid once since I've had it, and in about 60,000 of those miles were my driving. Nothing too crazy for hauling, but I was always carrying tools and such for work. Maybe a few hundred extra pounds.

And ATF dosent suprise me. Thats actually what my 5 Speed SHO needs to run right. Merc 3, or... and I hate to say this... GM SyncroMesh. Many have tried other stuff, but those are the 2 that the supercharged / quaife reinforced LSD guys use in theres. Other oils cause shifting issues, and or get too thick. The damn diff pins like to eject themselves on sho's. It's spooky hope mine never leaves. 191,000 k and ticking on that tranny. 3000 on the motor... I know the tranny is going first now.. lol

 

so anyway.. where is this parts source. I searched a little bit, and found a site, but it didn't have 'shifter forks' anywhere I could find. Would it be under a different part name? I'll get it open tommorow when I get back from work and get a pic.

 

the web site is http://www.tbtrans.com. it is a good source and i have used their stuff for two trans,both holding up well. what you are looking for is the first and second shift fork for 88 to 95 trucks. there is also a 800 number you can get them at. let me know how the tear down goes.