hi there, i am trying to convert my 97 f150 with the 4.6 in her to a 5 or 6 speed if i can. with some research i have heard that the 6 speed from the 7.3 diesels will bolt right up but im not to sure about that. it is 4x4 and i want it to stay that way. will the 5 speed with the v6's work or did they make one specific to the 4.6 and if so do you have any part numbers and or places where i can get it from. any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance

 

They made a few 4.6 V8s with the m5od 5 speed in the 97-03 generation. It was the same one used with the V6. However, I'm still not sure it would bolt right up with yours since your truck came with an auto.

Yes, the zf from the super duty is a much stronger transmission. But the m5od would be fine on your truck if you don't abuse it.

 

The only easy boltin is a M5OD-R2 out of a 4.6 4x4. The V-6, 4.9, and the 302 have a different bellhousing bolt pattern and the 2wd has a different tailshaft housing.

The ZF out of a diesel is different bolt pattern, but one out of a 5.4 or 6.8 will bolt to the bellhousing. The transfer case is a different story.

 

From what I have read, the 5 speed is notoriously hard to shift.

 

thankyou, any idea where i can get my hands on one?

if i wanted to use the zf from a super duty you said there would be problems with the transfer case? would the tranny bolt to the 4.6? because i can get the transfer case from the super duty aswell. when im finnished she will be a work horse so i would like to use the super duty trans

 

If you're talking about the m5od, it definitely doesn't shift anything like a car, my old ranger or my old 08 GMC Canyon. You get used to it though.

Anyone who tries to drive my truck for the first time stalls it and can barely get it moving. It's painful to watch.

 

my last truck was the 4.2 with a 5 speed. would that tranny work for my 4.6 v8? dont know if it would hold up to the extra power?

 

Yes, as I said ford offered a 5 speed with the 4.6 in the 97-03 generation. It's the same one that the 4.2 uses.

However, from the factory, I'm not sure what was different/modified.

Like glc said, the m5od-r2 out of a 4.6 will be your easiest option. My truck is a 4.2 V6 and has that transmission.

 

 

As I said before - NO. Bellhousing bolt patterns are different. The only M5OD-R2 that will bolt in directly is one out of a 4x4 4.6.

 

I have have a question I know this thread is a little old. But I have a 97 4.6 4x4 it’s extremely early production and I’ve been having a lot of issues with the 4r70w do too early 97s having different electronics. My question is I know where a m50d-r2 that’s for a 4x4 can I just change the bell-housing to one from a 4.6l? What else would need to be done to complete the swap? (Besides pedals and that stuff)

 

No, the only M5OD that will bolt to a 4.6 is one from a 4.6.