F-100 5 Speed Swap: Low Buck Style - Simple Parts List & Walk-Through 

Nice to hear that engine again. I will never forget the night it was parked for good. And now I treasure the friendships that engine has created!

I got a 65 ford with the 352 3 speed on the column and been trying to figure out how to convert to a t5. You're the only person to explain it and I appreciate it my guy helped a lot.

sounds great don't ever get rid of it what a simple truck and I bet it's fun to drive 👍🏻

totally shot from the hip on this one guys - soon ill get some gear jamming clips and what not together. it works very well. feels completely factory. Iv been very pleased with it. extremely simple on the pre roller engines - see parts list

Finally about to do this swap in my 79 F-100, can't wait to have a floor shifter again.

Maybe I'm biased because my old ferd truck is a 74, but man I just love the whole look of that year. Best grill/light setup, and how can you go wrong with a big block (fe) motor with no silly catalyst crap (even if I drive into the people's republic of kalifornia!), and a good solid manual tranny with "pull that building off it's foundation while you walk next to the truck" granny gear - bonus points for the dually axle, 13' bed, and pto dump. What a damn fine bunch of trucks these were/are. - I mean I guess by having a transmission what doesn't make the engine scream on the highway. I live on a highway... Full syncho would be nice, but obviously not required...

Back in the early 2000s Rick Pewe from Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine did an issue about automotive math. The only thing that stuck with me all these years is a very simple formula for figuring out your optimal diff gear ratio. You take the tire size times .12 and that gives you a great approximation for 1 to 1. So 31 x .12 = 3.72. Works in reverse too so if you want to match tires to gears you already have, 3.73 ÷ .12 = 31.083. For four bangers that need more grunt he used tire size times .14

Way back in the 70's there was a company by the name of Advanced Adapters they had just about anything you might have wanted. Do not know if still in business. I Used to do swaps in jeeps. Hope this might help out motor heads. Lol.

Those flex fans are dangerous. Had one on my '69 Roadrunner & 2 of the blades snapped of when taking off from a light. One blade went through my hood & the other put a nice hole in my new radiator & also took out the trans cooler lines. Ended up putting in an electric fan after that.

I love that key.

I'm definitely looking into doing this to my 71 F100 when I can get the time/money together lol

I had a ‘75 Bronco with the 302. I ditched the C4 transmission and installed a ZF 5 speed from a later model F350. It was great with the bulldog low and overdrive 5th gear. I had to install a hydraulic slave cylinder for the clutch and add a little height to the tunnel like you did for the T5 in your rig. Thanks for the videos

As a teenager i blew two T5s to smithereens in my 400 or so hp Foxbody 331 stroker. Suprised it takes the weight of the truck. Ive always wondered if the T5 or M5OD was the stronger transmission though. As they are the two cheapest and most common manuals that fit a Ford.

Nice old truck, you did a great job on it. Thx for the video!

Bronco engine, choog, and T5s all in one video!!

I just used the mustang setup from a foxbody and ran the cable through a Blocked off hole in the firewall. interesting.

Great info! I picked up a 75 about a year ago that someone had dropped a 351W and 4-speed w/ granny low in. Really thinking about putting a 5 speed in it. Thanks!

My 62 had a dump truck seat with middle in front section removed ,( probly for floor shifter in the dump truck).works great.

I don't know if you're a patina guy, or maybe you just don't care, but I think that truck would look really good in black with red pin striping and some lightly polished wheels.

Morning. I in my mid 50's and enjoy your videos. So i thought i would tell you about something i observed about 15 years ago. Had 2 buddies who build an S10 truck with v-8 engine. They were having issues with the durability of the 5 speed transmission that was behind the 2.8 v-6. After a couple of hard shifts (V-8 power) it was making strange noises. What they had was v8 T5 from a camaro. Placing the transmissions side by side revealed that they were dimensionally the same transmission. The only difference was the placement of the shifter (S10 over top the case and Camaro in the tail shaft). They took the parts from the broken transmission and bolted them onto the camaro T5 to change the shifter location. They had lots of fun with before they sold it and moved to their next project. So accordinging to wikipedia 😏 the T5 was a borgwerner design. It was used in Ford, Chevy, Datsun, Nissan and a whole bunch of others. Is it the same transmission from maker to maker the same case. Would the Chevy S10 shifter bolt onto the Ford case thus moving the shifter to a normal location. The tailshaft that you have in the video looked the same as the one in the camaro. The bottom 3 holes are for a torque tube attachment.

Also look at Iron Horse 2wd Fords this is why there's hardly any of them left not so many do it with Chevys but there is one look up muddy grasshopper

Yeah I remember when you switched engines I was telling you I did something similar to that in a 79 with a new process granny low I put in like a 90s late 90s throttle body engine that didn't have that threaded hole in the ear and I remember finding that bracket on something I wish I could remember what video you did that one on like you go back in the comments I remember talking to you about what vehicle to look for that bracket I think it was meant for a six-cylinder wasn't it I remember having a broken torque side engine mount on a Fe and spit my z-bar out and lost the little cone shaped adjustment that went on the fork and I actually rigged up something with a turnbuckle and a carriage Bolt I let the rounded end of the carriage Bolt be against the fork and I tied a little piece of wire to the turnbuckle in case it ever got spit out again I wouldn't lose it after changing the engine with an amount because it kept just ripping them out I used to pick the front wheels off the ground with a homemade tow boom on the back I've even spit the coil springs out of it and drove it home leaning from raising the front end up

OMG when I seen this I almost cried

Love the custom ignition key!

Why did you go with the T5 over the M5R2 or the ZF? I have the R2 in my 1994 f150 behind the same engine you do and its a great transmission. The t5 is meant to be a car transmission and the R2 was meant for trucks per my understanding. From what i read on forums the R2 has a higher torque rating too.

You very briefly talked about the differential and gears, do you have a video about just that? I have the granny gear four speed (Windsor 302) and max speed is about 50. I am going to get the Tremec five speed for 4WD, I want it to run like your ’74! your videos have been really helpful for me!

I have a '68 F250 with a 390FE 4 speed with granny. How does the parts list change if at all ? Would you use a different 5 speed transmission ? Thanks man. Great stuff !

Sweet rig, send it!!!

Man if I send you a parts list will you confirm that I’m ordering the right stuff

Hey man. In the process of doing a 289 and T5 in my 71 f100. Do you know what flywheel and clutch setup I would need for the truck off hand? Is it a 28oz flywheel? And 10” clutch? Any help is greatly appreciated. Love the videos!

Im going to get rid of my old 360fe and swap in a fresh 351w in my 73 f100

A future project could be to make the F100 4x4. lots of people would like a video like that

Thanks 👍

my 69 ford f350 with a perkins 6.354 and 4 spd with brownie 3sp aux uses a screw driver for a key to lol

i get a lot of these trucks for free the most i have ever paid for a 73 to 78 is 200 running and driving i'm more in to the 67 to 72 high boys i get those cheap too i paid 250 for a 70 high boy with dana 60/80 lockers with 5 speed top loader with a 429 but i'm putting the fe back in with a 390 have many motors ford chevy and dodge i can get a 396 chevy 460 ford a roller 390 in a 76 high boy cheap i have a friend with 10 acres of cars just all to my self and i have 10 acers with cars i think between the both of us we have over 500 cars no scrap cars we hall those in

I very seldom see any of those generation Ford fullsize trucks around nowadays.

Some of this might be helpful for my dad's 302 swapped '68 f-100. (had a 300 and is keeping the stock 4sd t18)

Thank you sir. As usual very informative. Say what ever became of that Nambo v-8 you bought. I didn't thank I missed any videos, I must have.

I'm installing 5.0 302 replaced w/4.9 straight 6

I have a 79 F150 with a mildy built 460 and a C6. Wonder how hard this swap would be for me? Guess it would really help to find a parts truck... Also, I imagine they wouldn't make a bell housing that would mate the t5 to the old 460 I imagine. Anyway, I'm content with my current set up.

Do you know where I could find a transmission tunnel plate you mentioned?

I have a 73 ranchero that has a 351m, a c6 auto... the c6 lost overdrive somehow even tho it was rebuilt twice so now I'm searching for ways to convert it to a manual but there's only like 3 manual trans that fit the 351m so annoying... Unless I get an adapter for a t5 but I'll probably blow that trans up with the "big block" tourque lol

I have a 63 fairlane with a 302 looking to do a t5 swap pertty easy for a 302.

I had a 77 f150 351 m i miss it

Hey Thunderhead, Thanks so much for posting these informative and inspirational videos. They’re very helpful. I have a few questions for you. I’m building a 68 bronco with a carbed early 302 and an ax15 5 speed using an Advanced Adapters conversion kit. I was just about to begin freshening up my 28oz early 302 when I was given a 96 explorer 5.0 short block with a spun road bearing. I stripped the 5.0 down and the crank is ruined, but the bores are in great shape, still with visible factory crosshatching. It has the desirable gt40 heads also, which just need new valve seals and the valves lapped. I’ve read that I can run the early crank in the roller block if I have the rear seal lip machined off to fit the one piece rear main seal in the 5.0 block. I already have all the parts to freshen the early 302, the 28oz flywheel and a new 11 inch clutch. Can you see any drawbacks in using the machined 28oz crank, balancer, timing cover, water pump and flywheel combined with the 50oz 5.0 block, rods, pistons, roller cam, lifters, and gt40 heads? I realize I would need a new ignition system, maybe roller duraspark from a mustang, as my early Petronix distributor gear isn’t compatible with the roller cam. I’d also need the clutch pivot bracket as well. I’m not sure about timing chain and oil pump differences. I have new ones for the early 302. If everything as described is compatible, is it worth the trouble to do the conversion to have a roller cam, or should I just go with the gt40 heads on my early 302, along with the new edelbrock performer torquey flat tappet camshaft I have sitting on the shelf? Your feedback is appreciated!

👍👍👍👍👍

Would you recommend putting in a 2 speed rear differential into a truck like that?

So I have been reading and looking up info forever. Never have I had a clear answer. My truck is a 70, factory 3 speed, factory 11" clutch I just replaced. So the spline count should be the same? Plan on doing this with mine soon rather than pay $400 for the Hurst master shift setup

What bellhousing would I need? I have a 98 Explorer 5.0 and want to do this in my ‘63. They have so many different ones I don’t know what p/n to look for?

Where do you recommend getting a nice quality rag joint? I got one off of rock auto and it cracked in a year.

Thank you. Been trying to figure out how to add an overdrive for my 3peed f100 on a budget.

How did you run the mechanical speedo did your t5 have an electronic vss or a mechanical one?

I am wondering if you can do something similar to this on a '53-56 F-100? They use a mechanical pushrod as well.

Are those original factory Freewheeling Package slot mags?? Those are hard to find now.

@thunderhead289 any difference using a 94 or 95 T5 trans?

Do you crank the truck with a skewdriver

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I have a 90 5.0 that i want to put on my f100 I have an 88 f150 flywheel what clutch do I need because i used my 67 inline6 and it doesn’t bolt up. Or a part number of a clutch that bolts up to it?

I think my 72 has a 3.25 gear or something like that… It definitely feels like it needs a couple more gears… lol But my truck is a 2wd truck and the tire isn’t as tall. That shity 3 speed floor shifter has definitely gotta go. I can’t stand all the slop and shopping around for a gear for 5 minutes…🙄 I’m sure I could make it shift better but why do that when I can just slap a T5 in it… I was actually thinking about going with a hydraulic clutch but idk yet…

I have a 79 F100 short bed with the 300 six and 3 speed in it. Should the parts list be pretty similar for me to swap one in?

6'5"? Dang. Never would've guessed that! Your condolences box has given me an Idea. I want to add a radio to my '60. Not sure I want to cut into the dash

Get rid or the flex exhaust pipe!! Please!

I’m about to make the switch I can’t find another 4 speed

Any trouble overheating with no fan shroud and the fan that far back from the rad? My 67 mustang would get hot in traffic without a shroud.

I've always been a big block guy, love the 390's and 460's, what is your preference ThunderHead289 ?

I have a 95f150 with 351w 2wd ,and and i have t5 transmisión for a 2000 mustang gt. Do you think t5 transmisión and my Drive shaft will fit ?

I have a 65 galaxie and wanna do the t5 swap can you give me an idea of what I’m getting into

Where are your linkxx to the adaptation

With your current setup 5.0 and 5 speed what is your mpg ?

❤

Thunderhead289 is there any way I can talk to you I have some questions with my 1977 f100 & T5 thx man

Why 86-00, why not a 5.0 roller from 01?

I have an M5OD-r2 on my '93. I suppose it's about the same strength-wise as a T5, albeit with an hydraulic clutch. How is first gear? The M5OD is geared so stupid that 1st is like a granny but 2nd is too tall to start out from. 3.55's out back, too.

@thunderhear289 - Do you have any recommendation for an upgrade to the standard 3 speed that came on Ford's 400m? I have a 79' Bronco that I would like to get a 4 or 5 speed into but am having difficulty finding options for this.

Could I five seed swap a 460 with a C6 automatic I want a straight drive transmission

What did you do for a speedo cable, and is your speedo accurate?

I have a 1970 f100 with a 302 and I think it's a t18 or 19 4 speed granny gear is the t 5 still compatible or do I have to have a different adapter than the 3 on the tree

I'm looking at putting a 5 speed out of a 1994 f150 into my f100 from 3 speed on the column. I want to put a Hurst shifter in it. was told hurt shifters would not fit the trans. mine bow currently has 3:25 gear ratio. any advice on that?

My truck 95 f150 with 351w is AUTOMÁTIC

Couldn't keep the fuel injection that was on that engine?

Does the clutch need to be for the t5 trans or does it have to be for the old bell housing ?

Hey thunderhead, off topic question but I want to pick your brain on something. Recently I put a 351w with a hot cam in a old rig, timed it at 10 degrees initial and even up to 15 and no matter what within 10 minutes it goes max on the heat gauge. The water pump is working and it does have a functioning thermostat. I did bleed the air out of the system after filling it. Any ideas?

Do you have a video on converting an F100 from automatic to manual?

Is the input shaft still making it in to the pilot bearing with that bellhousing adapter plate?

I thought you were going to put it in a big block fe on maybe a 460 kind of 😖😖😖😖😖😖😖

Does it have disc brakes in the front or drums on all around

Will a T5 mate up to a 4.9 Inline 6 in a 1983 Ford F100 ?

Do you have to use the old flywheel?

So I gotta 69 302 3 speed, I use the bell housing from that, what flywheel do I buy?

Would anyone know if this fits the last gen f100s? I have a 81 with a T19 transmission with a 302.

screw driver for a key?

I miss my 95 F-150, inline 6, 5 speed manual. QQ

what's size from your axe shaft since the transmisión to diferential??

where is the f250 rescued from farm?

get an electric radiator fan !

Low Buck Swap huh? If your looking for a World Class T5 nowadays. It's hardly LOW BUCK. Your swap would be considerably cheaper then what mine ran me on my 63 FairLane

Same speedo cable and gear?

I have a 1970 f250 with the 4 speed on the floor with a t18 . Would a t5 work for me ?