which manual trans for 98 F150 4x4?
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which manual trans for 98 F150 4x4?
Truck in question is a bone-stock F150, 4.6L, 4R70W auto, 4x4 that I recently bought. Its optioned just how I like it; rubber floors, floor shift Tcase, manual windows and locks... nothing fancy to break or cause headaches, and I don't feel bad putting my muddy *** on cheap seats.
But, like anything I own I have to modify it
The 4R70W is showing its age. It used to chatter only on TC lockup, but now I'm getting some flares and chatter between 2-3. So, the short term plan includes a manual to replace it. Since I'm going with a manual, I want something geared a little lower since that is a heck of a lot cheaper than swapping out 3.45s on two axles. I'm buying a manual tranny anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone. When I say geared lower, I don't mean a granny gear, I mean something geared lower with a normal 1-2 ratio spread. I have no need for a granny with such a wide 1-2 shift. I need a 5-speed, not a 4-speed with an additional granny.
So, the longer-term plan for this truck is to use some freebie 33x12.5s I have laying behind the shop, replace the 4.6L with something beefier when it dies, (5.4L and 4BT currently top the wish list) and replacing the rear 8.8/drum axle with a 9.25/disc. I use the truck as DD, I occasionally tow an 8000-lb gvw trailer for short distances to haul a car or a load of firewood (but it rarely gets over 6000 gross) and also occasionally tow a 3500-lb boat. I don't plan on lifting it much if any, maybe just a 2" block in the back and see if I can key up the torsion bars a little. The only reason I would lift is if I get some rubbing with the 33s. I off-road with it several times a year, but just play-on-the-ranch stuff. Nothing hard-core.
So, the actual questions:
1 - the M5OD-R2 seems like a logical choice. 3.90 first, 2.25 second, 0.80 OD compared to the 4R70W's 2.84 first and 0.70 OD. But, the internet turns up mixed reviews on the M5OD for weak input shafts and leaks. Many guys say to go with the ZF S5-42 (which I think is also called the M5R2) but that probably requires some other driveline mods, right? Will it even bolt to my Tcase? What transmission might you suggest for me? The M5OD is such an attractive option with the right ratios and it bolts in with little or no modification, but will it be beefy enough? Can it be made beefy enough?
2 - 33x12.5s on an 8.8 IFS. Am I crazy? I used to have a site bookmarked with axles and their recommended max tire size but lost it... anyone have a bookmark like that? I never go hardcore offroading, but I don't want to snap something crawling over logs and rocks on the ranch.
But, like anything I own I have to modify it
The 4R70W is showing its age. It used to chatter only on TC lockup, but now I'm getting some flares and chatter between 2-3. So, the short term plan includes a manual to replace it. Since I'm going with a manual, I want something geared a little lower since that is a heck of a lot cheaper than swapping out 3.45s on two axles. I'm buying a manual tranny anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone. When I say geared lower, I don't mean a granny gear, I mean something geared lower with a normal 1-2 ratio spread. I have no need for a granny with such a wide 1-2 shift. I need a 5-speed, not a 4-speed with an additional granny.
So, the longer-term plan for this truck is to use some freebie 33x12.5s I have laying behind the shop, replace the 4.6L with something beefier when it dies, (5.4L and 4BT currently top the wish list) and replacing the rear 8.8/drum axle with a 9.25/disc. I use the truck as DD, I occasionally tow an 8000-lb gvw trailer for short distances to haul a car or a load of firewood (but it rarely gets over 6000 gross) and also occasionally tow a 3500-lb boat. I don't plan on lifting it much if any, maybe just a 2" block in the back and see if I can key up the torsion bars a little. The only reason I would lift is if I get some rubbing with the 33s. I off-road with it several times a year, but just play-on-the-ranch stuff. Nothing hard-core.
So, the actual questions:
1 - the M5OD-R2 seems like a logical choice. 3.90 first, 2.25 second, 0.80 OD compared to the 4R70W's 2.84 first and 0.70 OD. But, the internet turns up mixed reviews on the M5OD for weak input shafts and leaks. Many guys say to go with the ZF S5-42 (which I think is also called the M5R2) but that probably requires some other driveline mods, right? Will it even bolt to my Tcase? What transmission might you suggest for me? The M5OD is such an attractive option with the right ratios and it bolts in with little or no modification, but will it be beefy enough? Can it be made beefy enough?
2 - 33x12.5s on an 8.8 IFS. Am I crazy? I used to have a site bookmarked with axles and their recommended max tire size but lost it... anyone have a bookmark like that? I never go hardcore offroading, but I don't want to snap something crawling over logs and rocks on the ranch.