M5OD Swap

[RollinWOT]

Ok so here's the plan guys. I'm getting tired of driving a stupid automatic 3L, so I wanna swap in a stickshift. So I want to try and do the M5OD. Problem is, I have no knowledge of how to get started. Would my truck need special adaptations? What do I do with the hole in the steering column now that there's no shifter sticking out of it? Are there any drawbacks to the M5OD I should know about? Just try and educate me guys, I've never done an auto-to-manual swap before, so I wanna make sure it's done right, if and when the time comes that I'm able to get my hands on one. Thanks fellas!

 

[strvger]

double check in the tech library here, but i thought i read that the bell housing bolt patterns might be different for the 3.0l engines. not sure the m5od would match up... idk?
good luck with your project. i'm a manual fan myself, including transfer case and hubs as well as tranny!

 

[RollinWOT]

Well, I want to keep my truck as simple as possible while maintaining a good bit of power through a stickshift. 2WD works for me, but I still need a 4WD. I do belive the Mazdas with the 3L have the M5OD and M5OD variants so they should match up. I'm not sure though. I don't know how to go about chopping a hole in the pan and firewall for the clutch and shifter though. Hell, if worst comes to worst, I still have a 4R44E. Guess I can't really bitch about that. I think I want to do it as a surprise, because my dad borrows the truck once a week and he doesn't know how to drive a stick, lol. I could see him get in "...what the hell is this?"

 

[Earl43P]

Been covered many times, you need to search.

Get: pedal set with clutch/switch/harness
master, line and reservoir/ mount plate if you don't want to drill your blank one.
2wd Transmission, NEW SLAVE cylinder
Check the clutch plates or buy new (advisable)
Pressure plate, its bolts, new pilot bearing
Trans Harness from a manual truck
PCM for your year/engine/manual shift (or get yours reflashed at Ford $$ negotiate)

Keep your column to mess with the old man. But pull a tilt column when you tire of that, if your isn't already. You can just punch the shifter lever pin out and remove it, if nothing else.


What'd I miss?

 

[L454S]

Parts

Flywheel, new if possible, if not get the old one resurfaced. Check that the flywheel is for a 3.0, could be different for other engines.

 

[RollinWOT]

Hmm, sounds like I'll have a fun time trying to get all that. $$$