I recently bought a 1985 Ford F-150, 302 fuel injected, 4 speed, two wheel drive. The truck had 180,000+ but is in overall good shape. The tranny is a 4 speed but actually a 3 speed with 4th being overdrive. It is a top loader with shifter mounted through top of tail shaft. I'm not happy with performance and want to change transmissions. I was given one suggestion of a Mazda MO5D but most everything I've read about it is negative. Any suggestions. Also truck has hyfraulic cluthch but willing to change this if not too much mod needed..

 

If you don't care about the OD you might look at one of the old T-18 4 spds. They are pretty indestructable and if I am not mistaken they were used in some of the 80's models F-150's. The M5OD is really pretty tough too. It is not a heavy duty trans like the T-18 (IH used the T-18 in thier dump trucks and stuff) but for a daily driver they perform okay. My 88 had one and at 140K my brother transplanted it into his 91 and it is still going strong. He replaced the pins in the shifter linkage and it shifts like a new one. If you want the OD i wouldn't be afraid of the M5OD if it was easy to come by. I am really not sure what other options are out there but I am sure there are some.

My 2 cents.