Doing a 1955 Ford F-100 with a 351 W engine and 2001 Explorer rear ( 3:55 or 3:73 gears )want to go with a 5 speed manual trans -- which type to use and what pedal set-up is needed to install and work correct, any pictures. ( going to use bucket seats and a custom made center console ) -- Thanks
T5 from a Mustang would be my choice. It has a cable clutch. You would have to adapt it to the stock pedal. You would need to figure out your cruise RPM based on all the pertinent factors, including the particular overdrive ratio, tire diameter, and potential rear ratios.
I run an M5R2 out of a mid 90's F-150 in my '51. Shifter location is damn near the same as the stock floor shifter, it fits well and bolts right up to a 351W. The 0.75 OD will be perfect with 3.55 or 3.73 gears (***uming a 30 in or so tire). I use the stock pedals, just fabricated a bracket to hold the clutch master cylinder.
Mustang T5 puts the shifter right out under the edge of the stock front bench seat. Would be ok with Buckets but no the stock bench. I put I 302 and mustang t5 in our 54 f100 and ill be taking it back out for M5R2 like @FrozenMerc said.
I looked into that, but I didn't like the cost. For over $700 bucks for the tail housing and everything involved in doing the swap I could do a lot more with the truck for that much and the M5R2 trans is not hard to come by and not too expensive either.
Not that I am aware of. I don't know how it would work as the Bell Housing is integral to the trans case and bolts directly the block. T5 is the way to go with a flathead 5 speed setup.
ok thanks ive been looking for a t5 for awhile but when i saw you guys talking about the m5r2 i have never really thought about it. been kinda tunnel visioned on the t5 with my flathead build.
Not sure that one of those is going to help you. This is a M5R2: Unless you are really good with a saw, welder and a mill, you cannot take off the bellhousing, and attach it to another bellhousing. They are handy for anything with a SBF pattern, or that can be adapted to that.
For less than that tail housing, I could get you a used Mustang T5, an S10 tail housing, and the speedometer gear dookickey that puts the gear in the correct place to make it work.
Not specifically, But I would think you could use the Speedway C4 to Flathead adapter as that gets to a SBF bellhousing pattern if you have a late model flathead. You would have to ditch the flexplate and come up with a flywheel. It would also likely require a different spacer to be made up for the flywheel so the pilot bearing was in the right spot.
The Jalopy Journal
