Which 5 speed would you choose?

[riotwarrior]

Wait so all superduty s42's have the diesel gears?

Nope not same depends on engine

DIESEL S42 have diesel gears

GASSER S42 for 460 are different spread as shown above

 

[ZWilson07]

Nope not same depends on engine

DIESEL S42 have diesel gears

GASSER S42 for 460 are different spread as shown above

Apparently according to the great google you could get a diesel s5-42 in the wide/gas ratio if you wanted. Also supposidly the 47 could be had in the diesel close ratio of 5.08, wide gas 5.72, and also a 4.14 but I dont know what that distinction would be for. Were starting to geet above my pay grade now .

Any truth to that information?

Also how does the ZFS 5-42 or 2wd transmission differ in gears? Does it have the same depending on the gas or diesel like listed? I know it doesn't really matter for the OP since I think he is wanting it for a 4x4 but it would be nice to know the difference for people in the future.

Many times people just post S42 but that doesn't distinguish if it is a ZFS 5-42 2wd tranny or ZF S5-42 4wd tranny.

 

[ZWilson07]

Also take a look at this. OP this might be able to tell you exactly what yours are. That looks like the holy grail of info to tell people what they have. If so, hell yes to me and "IM THE SMARTEST MAN ALIVE" (movie reference) .

http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/.../lcv/ZF_LightTruckBrochure_-_FINAL_2-1-09.pdf

That also shows nothing about a 4.14 for the 47 transmissions so I guess that answers that question about the 47 and that does show that you could in fact get a close and wide ratio in the 42 diesel transmission so that answers that as well. Which also means it is possible that just because someone got a 42 from the diesel truck, it doesn't mean they are actually gaining anything from a gas truck.

This might actually help to finally give us some for sure definitive answers vs having to google and read off other forums and hope it is right.

 

[fordf350man]

for myself i would like the wide ratio better and the overdrive ratios are so close i doubt there would be a difference when driving, and the s547 has a stronger input shaft and the s542, its not the gearing they are just different thats all, and you could just switch cases to get the ratio you want and so it will bolt up to the engine without modifying, i know its not a simple task but its an option

 

[ZWilson07]

for myself i would like the wide ratio better and the overdrive ratios are so close i doubt there would be a difference when driving, and the s547 has a stronger input shaft and the s542, its not the gearing they are just different thats all, and you could just switch cases to get the ratio you want and so it will bolt up to the engine without modifying, i know its not a simple task but its an option

The 47 does have different gear ratio for the close set. Look at my link above. I guess it would just depend on if you want a more steep reverse and first gear or do you want to have the gear ratio set that is closer in the middle for towing and not dropping off as much with shifts.

Obviously the more power you make the less it is going to matter with the middle gears when towing and shifting, but I guess the same could be said for first and reverse as well. I think the main point would be I wouldn't necessarily scrap a wide set 42 or drop everything just for a close set 42 or vice versa unless I had them both already or access to the other for really cheap. But when you start getting this specific, your power setup, axle gearing, and tire size are all going to have more of an effect of the whole thing rather then the small differences in transmission gearing.

You are correct on being able to swap the cases but I guess most people just are looking for what will be the best to try to buy the first time. Plus while the 47 is a little bit stronger, more then likely if you are making enough power to grenade a 42, you're going to break the 47 as well since it is only rated just a little bit higher.

 

[FarmerFrank]

I got no problem in drilling one. I was perfectly content in keeping my c6 but all the parts for a 5 speed swap kinda fell in my lap for very little money including a DMF, pedals, and the cross member and I already have a new clutch from when I went from a zf back to the 4sp in the bronco. Since I am doing a cab and engine how hard could it be to swap in the 5 while I'm at it? And dash, and doors, fenders, paint, all that fun jazz

 

[fordf350man]

yea if i remember right what the s547 and s542 stand for is S is for the fully SYNCHRONIZED gears, the 5 is for 5 forward gears, and the 42 or 47 is the torque pound rating on the input shaft, so the 42 would be 420 lb ft of torque and the 47 is 470 lb ft of torque so its really not much stronger like you said, when i had my zf it was in a 5.8l f250 and it had 4:10 axle ratio with 35 inch tires, had no issue pulling anything up any hill or on the highway and was great off road

 

[FarmerFrank]

I was running a 42 with about 500 ft/lbs to it. Research our big block cousins with zf's. lots of them are running more than they are rated for. One puller around here, the "Morewood Express", runs one and its 500 some cubes. So the strength isn't a huge concern with an IDI IMHO

 

[FarmerFrank]

My bad he's the "marwood express". Very impressive Bricknose

 

[fordf350man]

I was running a 42 with about 500 ft/lbs to it. Research our big block cousins with zf's. lots of them are running more than they are rated for. One puller around here, the "Morewood Express", runs one and its 500 some cubes. So the strength isn't a huge concern with an IDI IMHO

im not doubting that they can hold more, thats what they rate it at not me, im sure though with that much torque that it is probably wearing on it and over time might break, if its always under abuse then thats great its holding up, and thats for any transmission, but if its not being beaten on allot then i can see why there is no issues with that much power

 

[FarmerFrank]

Sorry to get off topic. With all this said I think I'll give the 47 first choice if it checks out to be in ok condition. Thanks for all the input and view points

 

[jaluhn83]

Real easy solution for you - the ratios are printed on the side plate on the trans. Just read what it says on there.

I would run the S47 as long as it looks like it's in decent shape. Maybe see if you can get it inspected by a trans shop?

I've run both a S42 & S47 in my rig (lucked into what seems to be a factory reman S47) and the lower gearing on the S47 is definitely nice if you do any real towing or such. On the other hand, the gaps between gears are a bit bigger and more noticeable. I plan to fix this by running a US Gear splitter eventually, but that's down the road a bit.

For me having the little bit of added strength from the S47 add some peace of mind. Why not if you can?

I'd also note that a gasser race/pull rig is going to put somewhat different stresses on the trans than a high torque heavy towing rig. A 500 hp gasser is probably making about half the torque at double or more the rpm that a turbo idi would run..... and it's going to be very intermittent high stress with a short duration. Little bit different than slogging up a steep grade with a heavy load and that diesel lugged down to 2000 rpm.....

Doesn't mean the S42 isn't a good trans, just be careful comparing apples & oranges.

 

[franklin2]

I have found something good to say about the very high speed reverse the original trannies came with; It's good for plowing snow where you are pushing a parking lot off and constantly going back and forth. It's not much good for anything else.

 

[ZWilson07]

Doesn't mean the S42 isn't a good trans, just be careful comparing apples & oranges.

What were you meaning by this? Honestly just wanting to know.

Are you saying that the S42 and S47 are that much different then each other or what? I would say they are different but not so much apples to oranges; maybe red apples to granny smith apples.

 

[FarmerFrank]

Real easy solution for you - the ratios are printed on the side plate on the trans. Just read what it says on there.

I would run the S47 as long as it looks like it's in decent shape. Maybe see if you can get it inspected by a trans shop?

I've run both a S42 & S47 in my rig (lucked into what seems to be a factory reman S47) and the lower gearing on the S47 is definitely nice if you do any real towing or such. On the other hand, the gaps between gears are a bit bigger and more noticeable. I plan to fix this by running a US Gear splitter eventually, but that's down the road a bit.

For me having the little bit of added strength from the S47 add some peace of mind. Why not if you can?

I'd also note that a gasser race/pull rig is going to put somewhat different stresses on the trans than a high torque heavy towing rig. A 500 hp gasser is probably making about half the torque at double or more the rpm that a turbo idi would run..... and it's going to be very intermittent high stress with a short duration. Little bit different than slogging up a steep grade with a heavy load and that diesel lugged down to 2000 rpm.....

Doesn't mean the S42 isn't a good trans, just be careful comparing apples & oranges.

I agree with you that it is a different type of stress. 300 ft at a time. But this cat is running 700+ hp. No on thee road turbo IDI is putting out the torque he is. When he tried low profile tires it snapped the transfer case off and put a huge hump under the passenger seat. YouTube Him, Impressive in my redneck eyes.

Back on topic now haha