How Crazy AM I? ZF Swap into an Econoline?????????????????????????????????????????

[idi_econoline]

Dead E4OD, looking at options here...... Done a swap like this on a car! Why not?

Would someone pleez point me to resources about flywheels, clutches and such?

The whole "Engineer-the-clutch-pedal-and-MC" thing has me hella confused, too!

Also, will the lengthened driveshaft be too long to be safe?

How crazzzeeee am I, fellas??????

"A" grade ZF5 available locally for $610, but that would be the easy part!

 

[ToughOldFord]

Probably pretty crazy, but it's a cool idea!

 

[freebird01]

I got a 2wd zf ill sell ya....

btw im honored im in your signature lol

 

[FarmerFrank]

Sounds like a worthwhile swap if its what your after. I like my automatics personally but a zf ******* wagon would be cool. My uncle had an 80 something e150 with a 4.9 and factory 4 speed so there might be a clutch pedal out there somewhere for ya

 

[idi_econoline]

I got a 2wd zf ill sell ya.... btw im honored im in your signature lol

Heck, freebird01, the shipping would kill me!

Pleased to meet ya! Your sentiment is SO true!

Any misery I suffer on this project is totally self-inflicted

 

[idi_econoline]

My uncle had an 80 something e150 with a 4.9 and factory 4 speed so there might be a clutch pedal out there somewhere for ya

Yeh, I understood that really old Es had the manual option, but only on the old I-6s. Even IF I could find one, Ford probably redesigned away the potential for using those old parts. I sure don't see any room for a clutch master cylinder in the engine compartment.

Found this thread from last year, including input from IDIDieselJohn: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1141854-cluch-pedel-for-van.html

Forgot that the ZF is a top-shifter. That other thread says the shifter would come out the doghouse. Dang.

 

[FarmerFrank]

I figured it would land more in the mid seat range. I got a zf and just bought a uhaul box truck. I could measure it out if you'd like

 

[idi_econoline]

I figured it would land more in the mid seat range. I got a zf and just bought a uhaul box truck. I could measure it out if you'd like

Much appreciated, FarmerFrank. I will have some time to think about my options. Will be pulling engine this week, then will be unavailable to work on the van for a couple weeks.

Also going to consider a C6 swap. Very hesitant to spend 4-figures on the E4OD. Will get a teardown and estimate on the E4OD, but..........

 

[FarmerFrank]

That uhaul has a clean grey reman c6.... I drove it 40 miles home and it shifted nice. I'd be cheap but idk if cheap enough to off set shipping costs

 

[The Warden]

How crazzzeeee am I, fellas??????

Pretty crazy, but you're in good company

I've had this crazy idea of taking one of those E-series Centurion pickup conversions, putting a '92+ cab on the frame, doing a ZF swap, and making it into a hot-shot hauler...although, for various reasons, that's strictly a pipe dream that'll never happen...but, it's solid evidence that you're not alone

I think it's doable...if you're concerned about driveshaft length, you could do a three-piece driveshaft with a carrier bearing like the pickups use. Beyond that, the biggest obstacle is going to be the clutch pedal and hydraulics...I don't know how vastly different the pedals/arms are between the vans and the trucks (the bracketry's going to be completely different), but between the pedal assembly you have and a manual trans truck pedal assembly, maybe you can Frankenstein something up?

PLEASE keep this thread updated

 

[riotwarrior]

IIR someone did exactly that here already. I'm not sure I recall someone needing the pedal assembly and so forth some time ago...a year...maybe two at tops..... do some digging in search....if putting in a ZF..toss a Tcase and front diff in that beast too then since you'll have to get new driveline


Just sayin!

 

[89Laredo]

you could do a three-piece driveshaft with a carrier bearing like the pickups use.

Mine doesn't.

 

[Mulochico]

Mine doesn't.

Don't know about single cabs, but Ext cab and CC have them

 

[89Laredo]

Ahh. The grocery getters of the truck world. More ujoints and bearings to deal with. :facepalm:

 

[The Warden]

Mine doesn't.

Don't know about single cabs, but Ext cab and CC have them

What he said...forgive me for not clarifying. IIRC regular cab 4x4's have two-piece driveshafts and didn't need the carrier bearings (I'm not sure about two wheel drive regular cab trucks), but extended-cab and crew-cab trucks needed three piece driveshafts with carrier bearings...