Slick 60's

I have a 66 F-100 with an 84 302 and AOD tranny. Not happy with the AOD tranny and am aware of all the setup issues etc. I have it correctly adjusted and still am not happy with the tranny performance. Of course the truck originally had a 3 speed and still has the clutch pedal installed. Will a M5R2 transmission fit the 84 302? Any issues with any extraordinary fab work I might run into? Already looking at finding or modifyaing the driveshaft, crossmember and making brackets or mounts for the hydraulic clutch pedal actuation.

Any tips or suggestions would be great

Thanks!!

I have dealt with several M5R1 (Ranger) tranmissions and have found the work pretty staright forward. I know the R1 does not use a yoke to actuate the clutch but uses a hydarulic actuator mounted in the bellhousing...is the R2 the same? I'm assuming that when you speak of the yoke that this iwhat you are referring to?

Jim

I don't know which was more disappointing to me in my 88 F-150 XLT Ranger SWB, the stupid Dana rear or that junk Matzah transmission.

The gearing is great but the bearings are typical Pacific Rim Junk, as is the shifter lever retainer set up with it's plastic bushings & wave washer tensioners on the swivel Ball. Then there is that ridiculous bellows type hydraulic clutch throw away bearing. It is concealed inside the belllhousing requiring the dirve train to be taken apart and tranny moved back or out to work on it.

The replacement slave cyl is $125 with a 40% discount and a Master cyl is about the same. They don't last like real linkage does either.

Thrust washers & mainshaft bearings in the M5R2 do not like torque. You will be able to tell when they are getting ready to fail because you won't be able to get in into 2nd or 3rd when it's cold. Also extra effort it takes to shift as the main shaft bearings give up, is what kills that stupid plastic shifter tower bushings I mentioned B4.

Repair on bearings, gaskets, shifter, retainer and the bushings is right @ $600 for parts alone. . . . still think your AOD Sux? Try a M5R2 alloy case nightmare 5 gear OD from Matzah and learn what real crap is. . . . Also don't ask me how I know!

The Dana Rear was a breeze, the 2nd time it gave me grief I stuck a 9" fron a 77 F-150 under the 88. What a improvement that was. But it didn't help the M5R2 5gear junk box at all . . . . Wanna buy an 88 F-150 Cheap?

FBp

I like the M5OD-R2.

Currently in the '92 and '97 and takes all the abuse dad and I throw at it. Perfect for daily driving with its ratios and with fresh ATF everyonce a while have no problems shifting.

In the past have towed BIG trailers and loads in a 88 flatdeck dually with a swapped in 300, M5, and a BW1356 (even though only a 4x2 truck). The transfer case came along for the swap because of my only "complaint".

What makes it nice for daily driving, does hurt while tryin to back a big load or get one started on a steep grade with the high first and reverse. Hence the need to use low range sometimes.

Other than that, keep the fluid full and fresh (only 4 quarts so pretty easy) and it's one heck of a tranny.

Adrianspeeder

From what I have heard (here and on the Ford Six board) these trannies are hit and miss. Some are good some are junk, most are junk. I would stick with the AOD unless you realy want to test your luck.

But it should bolt up.

I hated mine.......fell apart w/ casual driving.

Parts are expensive & you have to drop the tranny to replace the slave cylinder, on mine anyway. ZF much better....more durable.

D.

Thanks for all the info and opinions. I am going to stay with the AOD for now. I just ordered the proper Lokar AOD cable and bracket since some other forums stated that thiers was the way to go to correct the cable pull ratio. I am a stick shift guy and admittedly am learning th automatics tricks. I was looking at the M5R2 since my Ranger had the R1 and took a beating off road with 33's and my current Ranger (other truck) has the same tranny with 143K on it....and yes I did have to drop the tranny to replace the slave. Thanks again.

Jim