Is it worth taking chances on junkyard ZF5s?

[ComatoseLlama]

Up here in central Michigan rusted out 90s-00s ford truck are a dime a dozen in the scrap yards, most have a whole section for OBS fords. I can get a used zf5 for $70-100 bucks pretty much anywhere, most with a 30 day warranty. Looking at the big block gasser trans, seems people like the 1st and reverse ratios over the diesel.

My 4th gear synchro works maybe 1 out of 10 shifts, if I’m real nice to it, and I really don’t feel like tearing apart or spending $1200 on a rebuild

Would you guys take the chance? Since I’m in school I’d much rather spend a week swapping a trans or two than spending half my budget

 

[Garbage_Mechan]

I think you answered your own question. Remember the 460 trans has to be drilled to the Diesel pattern

 

[Scotty4]

At that price, buy 12! Then you can Frankenstein them all together until you have a perfect transmission. Use the rest for lawn ornaments.

 

[u2slow]

At that price, buy 12! Then you can Frankenstein them all together until you have a perfect transmission. Use the rest for lawn ornaments.

Agreed

My buddy stalled out trying to make one gooder out of two. Investigate the procedure and/or any tools that may be helpful.
FWIW, I prefer the diesel close-ratio S42 variant. Tcase takes care of any extra-low business. Its the darn cummins adapter thats the kicker.

 

[ComatoseLlama]

At that price, buy 12! Then you can Frankenstein them all together until you have a perfect transmission. Use the rest for lawn ornaments.

With the junkyard prices out here I have been heavily considering start

I think you answered your own question. Remember the 460 trans has to be drilled to the Diesel pattern

Doesn’t sound too hard

Are the $300 Luk conversion kits decent? I rarely ever tow more than 6k so a south bend doesn’t seem worth it. Is the clutch something like the injection pump that needs to be a reputable brand?

 

[u2slow]

By now you should be able to find a solid flywheel (non-DMF) in that junkyard with the ZFs. I got one with an IDI core.

Then just buy the Luk replacement clutch.

Keep in mind the factory turbo IDI is a different balance than the regular IDI.