I have a 2000 f150 5.4 liter with an AUTOMATIC transmission
Headers
intake
AIRraid TBS
flowmaster 40 series.
My problem is that i dont want an AUTOMATIC. they are too tempramental and i like being in control of my power.

will the trans out of a mustang 4.6 liter fit on my truck? I know that it is the same block
Or how about the trans out of a manual f250?

and what do i do to the computer if i put a manual in it?

 

Nothing will be a direct swap, there will be massive problems with PCM, and it would be nearly impossible to do without spending close to 15k and/or having a LOT of down time as well.

 

thats rediculous. y didnt ford make a 5.4 liter in a manual?
even in the lightnings case.

 

Th closest you can get is the manual for the 4.6, and to be honest I do not know a lot about it. I just know a few trucsk had it...although it may have been the same tranny as used for the 4.2, which likely wouldn't suffice on a 5.4...especially if modded for performance.

I think the reason Ford didn't touch it as most trucks don't make sense to have a 5-speed...manuals are worse for towing, and most people that get a 5.4 need/use it for moving heavier loads. As for the Lightning, as fun as a 5 speed would be, an automatic would be better for a drag strip..and given the fact that it is a quick TRUCK, it is better suited for a drag strip than auto-x type racing where a manual would be nice to have.

It just probably did pan out cost-wise to develop a stick for the Lightning.

anyway, good luck

 

BS, a manual excells at towing. I can out pull a 5.4 with only the 4.6L Same holds true for the 302 and 351s back in the day.

I dont wanna get into a stick vs. auto thread. If you like autos fine, I perfer sticks.

Anyway, the ZF6 from a superduty 5.4, 6.8, or 6.0 will bolt to your 5.4, but it is a huge tranny and might need lots of lube to slide under your F150.

The computer will set all the trouble codes and a CE light for the tranny, but it won't affect engine performance or operation.

Reason you might not want a ZF.... They are TRUCK trannys designed for big towing and not speed shifting. The reason I think Ford didn't put a five speed with the big motor since their intro in 88 was to force the buy of a more expensive automatic or a bigger more expensive truck. Since manuals are the minority, we can be treated in this fasion.

Adrianspeeder

 

I tow heavy loads at work every day, I much prefer a manual to an automatic, I've had autos shift when they shouldn't and refuse to shift when they should, not mention the loss of power with an automatic.

Best towing truck I ever had was an F250, 5 speed with a granny, 400M motor, that thing would tow anything our new 250 turbo diesel with an automatic will.

 

BS. Is that why all Big Rigs are manuals?

Most all tow trucks are manuals?

Manuals>Auto for towing.

 

You can use the mustang tranny, if you have a 2wd. There is no way to mount a transfer case to it easily. Also, if the computer throws a code a tuner can make a custom chip to turn it off for not mush more than a standard chip. You would need a new custom crossmember and would have to shorten/lengthen your drive shaft along with the other goodies like adding a clutch pedal and hardware. I'm interested in this project myself, so let us know if you decide to do it.

 

I drive a 'big rig' every day at my job. Have been for the last 20 years.

Every truck I drive has an Allison automatic in it, and they work great.

Over the road trucks use manuals, but around town you can't beat an automatic. I run fully loaded 18 wheels at around 80,000 gross, and the automatic works exactly as it's supposed to. These trucks even have traction control, for rainy days.

This is 2006, you know.

 

Autos in light trucks are rated for higher towing capacity than their standard counterparts due to their advantage of torque multiplication through the torque converter. Lots of drivers would also be very rough on a clutch when towing because they don't know how to properly use one. However, I agree, standards give much more control on gear selection both towing and solo. My father has a 6-speed ZF6 in his Powerstroke F-350, and it is rated the same as the autos only because of the low gear.

All that being said, I'd prefer a good strong standard in my 5.4 F-150 as well. It just isn't going to happen for me, though. More work than it is worth in most cases.

 

JMC has a 5.4 with a 5 spd, but he swapped a 4.6 for the 5.4.

 

Would a Tremec work? pretty strong trannys for mustangs.....

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Techn...its/tremec.htm

 

laugh... go look at Ranger 5 speed 4.0 and 4.0 auto tow ratings....let me know which is better. Same is true for the 3.0

These days, on newer trucks, the automatics tow better.

and like Kool-Aid said, get with the times, diesel trucks are often automatics with 32s speeds and all kinds of stuff these days.

 

'Better' is a subjective rating. The towing capacity is real-world limit based on the design of the unit.

Yes, a ZF6 *should* bolt right up to the 5.4 just as it does in teh SD, but it's not going to be fun. It's a monster, and then there's the whole transfer case issue.

And, for the record, there's no way, mod for mod, that a 4.6 will out-pull a 5.4. Not a chance.

 

I thought the F-250 had a 5 speed auto, would that bolt up to a F-150?