Why does everyone run the Mazda/v8 F150 manual instead of a T/5?

[Vwright14]

So im just wondering why pretty much everyone says the V8 f150 manual is the way to go when V8 swapping and keeping the stick? Since the T5 and its brothers are so much readily available and easily stronger? Is it the hole in the floor? The trans tunnel? The pedal or boosters? Just for reference I have a 95 2wd 4cyl manual im planning the swap on.

 

[Dirtman]

Alot of those doing v8 swaps are 4 wheel drive...

 

[BlackBII]

Are 4wd T5's easy to come by? I haven't seen any when looking through junkyards

 

[Andrew.V]

A friend of mine that v8 swapped his early 2000's 2wd Mazda is running a fox body t 5 tranny the hole is a bit off in the floor and the t5 is mechanical clutch linkage compared to the ranger hydraulic that is all i remember being different off the top of my head also t5's are bad for synchro's.

 

[adsm08]

I've never seen a 4x4 T5. T4 and T-18, but never a T5.

Also the M5OD-R1 from the Rangers is basically a 7/8th scale version of the M5OD-R2 from the F-150. The shifter is in roughly the right spot, the hydraulic hook up is the same (where many a T5 came with a cable clutch that Rangers never had), the length is off, but close, and if you get the one from the 4.2 with a shallower bell than the V8s had it fits almost perfectly.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I've never seen a 4x4 T5. T4 and T-18, but never a T5.

Also the M5OD-R1 from the Rangers is basically a 7/8th scale version of the M5OD-R2 from the F-150. The shifter is in roughly the right spot, the hydraulic hook up is the same (where many a T5 came with a cable clutch that Rangers never had), the length is off, but close, and if you get the one from the 4.2 with a shallower bell than the V8s had it fits almost perfectly.

+1

M5R2 is stronger than a stock T-5 also.

For a street truck the T-5 is probably geared better and has a ton of aftermarket support for more strength and shifters.

For mine I picked the one that is geared like a truck and that I could hang a wide variety of transfer cases on the back of.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

One could pick up a modern T5Z spec and it's marginally stronger than the earlier versions. Though I seriously doubt it's stronger than the M5ODR2. It definitely has some nice upgrades though.

I run a T5Z with a billet Tilton 6000 series slave cylinder, so that eliminates the mechanical clutch actuation. https://www.moderndriveline.com/catalog/internal_hydraulic_slave.htm
http://transmission.moderndriveline.com/speed/pc/Ford-T5-T-O-bearing-Tilton-6000-Slip-on-10p508.htm

I also ordered it with the front shift/rear socket tail housing. That puts the shifter in the stock Ranger location, so no hacking up the floor. It all hooks directly up to the stock Ranger clutch master cylinder via a braided hydraulic hose and adapter.

Shifts like butter. Basically a Foxbody in truck form, but lighter and faster, if you can get it to hook. But be ready to pay for it.. http://transmission.moderndriveline.com/speed/pc/TREMEC-Super-Duty-T5-5-Speed-with-Front-Shift-Rear-Socket-conversion-55p6.htm


Front shift, means the shifter is closer to the trans case, and rear socket means the shifter is closest to the rear of the shifter hole. You can get a front shift/front socket if desired. Mine uses a billet shifter for a Mustang II application apparently, with an offset shifter lever adapter and Hurst lever.

https://www.moderndriveline.com/Technical_Bits/front-shift-T5-tailhousing.htm


And as others mentioned, there is no version of the T5 for a 4x4 application.




GB

 

[fastpakr]

It's a shame there's not an easily accessible and affordable 4wd T56 in a Windsor pattern. That would be solid.

 

[farmer]

It's a shame there's not an easily accessible and affordable 4wd T56 in a Windsor pattern. That would be solid.

Too weak of a transmission. It was offered in Jeep CJs and Chevy S10s in a 4x4 variant, but don't stand up well on anything but a pavement princess.

"A strengthened version of the T5 called the "World Class" was available and parts were formerly available to address some of the transmission's weaknesses. However, even with these, splines shear and the cases stretch under torque and no such upgrades could prevent some failures."

"The Jeep T4 & T5 was factory-married to the Jeep Dana Spicer Model 300 transfer case."

"Because of the weaknesses of this transmission, we do not make adapter assemblies to join it to other transfer cases."

"Because of the transmission's weak service record behind stock Jeep powerplants, we do not offer any conversion to V6 or V8 power. This is essentially a small car transmission in a truck. The customer's time and efforts are best spent converting to a stronger transmission."

The Novak Guide to the Borg-Warner T4 & T5 Transmissions

The Novak Guide to the Borg-Warner T4 & T5 Transmissions

www.novak-adapt.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Too weak of a transmission. It was offered in Jeep CJs and Chevy S10s in a 4x4 variant, but don't stand up well on anything but a pavement princess.

The Novak Guide to the Borg-Warner T4 & T5 Transmissions

The Novak Guide to the Borg-Warner T4 & T5 Transmissions

www.novak-adapt.com

T-45 > T-5

Mod motor Mustang trans, Mod motors do not go into a Ranger without a fight so a T-45 is a rare beast in a Ranger.

 

[farmer]

T-45 > T-5

Mod motor Mustang trans, Mod motors do not go into a Ranger without a fight so a T-45 is a rare beast in a Ranger.

Who said anything about a T45? Please reread what I posted

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Who said anything about a T45? Please reread what I posted

I got off on my transmissions like you did. Fastpakr was talking about the T-56 not a T-5.

 

[farmer]

I meant T-56...

Didn't even realize he said T56. rest of the thread is about the T5. That's what I was posting about.

 

[fastpakr]

I just jumped to other transmissions that -could- be used. That one's always been a dream option.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

If you just gotta have a T5 and you have a 4x4 with a long enough wheelbase, you could always try a divorced transfer case setup.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/s97-t5-conversion.933071/

Advance Adapters used to make a kit for doing just that, and it used a cleaned up Jeep tail housing.

The T5 is easily stronger than the A4LD used behind the 2.9 V6, and probably stronger than the later A4LD used behind the 4.0 V6.

With T5 transmissions, it's all about how you treat them. They don't like an owner repeatedly giving them large shock loads from clutch drops, etc.. So large mud tires and bouncing over rocks wouldn't be a great idea with a T5 if going 4x4 with one. That being said, a TON of guys all across the country/world have been beating the snot out of junkyard T5's on the dragstrip for years. They just know that it's gonna fail so they keep spares. A T5 lasting with abuse is truly on a case-by-case basis..