Socnarftrucks Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Would a 92-96 M5ODR2 bolt right on into my 81 F100 4.9l? TÍA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 yes and no. if you get all of it then it can be done, but it may not be quite as bolt on as you think. more questions need to be answered first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socnarftrucks Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 yes and no. if you get all of it then it can be done, but it may not be quite as bolt on as you think. more questions need to be answered first Brother I need all the help I can’t get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Brother I need all the help I can’t get. start with what you have now. engine?. trans?, shifter type? wheelbase? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socnarftrucks Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 start with what you have now. engine?. trans?, shifter type? wheelbase? Thanks. It’s a 4.9l 300 short wheel base Flareside. It has a T-18 Borg-Warner with the floor shifter(?). The first gear is massive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Would a 92-96 M5ODR2 bolt right on into my 81 F100 4.9l? TÍA. Yes it will. I've done two M5OD-R2 swaps. The '92-'96 M5OD will work, but the downside is that you will not be able to connect your speedometer cable. If you want to keep using your factory speedo, you'll want an M5OD from 1988-1991. In 1992 Ford deleted the cable driven speedo and started reading from a sensor in the rear diff. This only applies to 2wd...which I assume you have if it's a factory F100. It's a pretty easy swap in an '84-'86 manual trans Bullnose that already had a hydraulic clutch. In a 1981, you'll need some extra stuff: 1984-1986 Manual trans hydraulic clutch pedal set. 1984-1986 Hydraulic master cylinder. 1988-1991 Hydraulic line (Master to slave cylinder) You'll have to drill a hole(s) in the firewall to mount the master cylinder. You'll want to install a firewall brace at this time (recommended) You'll have to plug the hole in the floor/firewall where the mechanical clutch linkage runs now. If available, you'll want the M5OD factory crossmember. You'll probably have to have a driveshaft made or have your existing one modified. (Depending on the transmission length, maybe not...I didn't have to). If pulling the M5OD from a junked truck, grab the plug/pigtail from the reverse switch if it's available. It'll save you from having to buy a new one. Grab the 5spd tunnel cover from that donor truck if it's available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socnarftrucks Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 Would a 92-96 M5ODR2 bolt right on into my 81 F100 4.9l? TÍA. Yes it will. I've done two M5OD-R2 swaps. The '92-'96 M5OD will work, but the downside is that you will not be able to connect your speedometer cable. If you want to keep using your factory speedo, you'll want an M5OD from 1988-1991. In 1992 Ford deleted the cable driven speedo and started reading from a sensor in the rear diff. This only applies to 2wd...which I assume you have if it's a factory F100. It's a pretty easy swap in an '84-'86 manual trans Bullnose that already had a hydraulic clutch. In a 1981, you'll need some extra stuff: 1984-1986 Manual trans hydraulic clutch pedal set. 1984-1986 Hydraulic master cylinder. 1988-1991 Hydraulic line (Master to slave cylinder) You'll have to drill a hole(s) in the firewall to mount the master cylinder. You'll want to install a firewall brace at this time (recommended) You'll have to plug the hole in the floor/firewall where the mechanical clutch linkage runs now. If available, you'll want the M5OD factory crossmember. You'll probably have to have a driveshaft made or have your existing one modified. (Depending on the transmission length, maybe not...I didn't have to). If pulling the M5OD from a junked truck, grab the plug/pigtail from the reverse switch if it's available. It'll save you from having to buy a new one. Grab the 5spd tunnel cover from that donor truck if it's available. Brother you’re a lifesaver!! I’ll start grabbing the pieces and go for it. If that’s ok, I’d like to pick your brain a bit more when I run into a problem. We can do it on this forum or maybe we can exchange emails/phone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Brother you’re a lifesaver!! I’ll start grabbing the pieces and go for it. If that’s ok, I’d like to pick your brain a bit more when I run into a problem. We can do it on this forum or maybe we can exchange emails/phone If you do it on here then everyone can learn. And we can find the discussion w/a Google search. Not so if you do it "offline". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 If you do it on here then everyone can learn. And we can find the discussion w/a Google search. Not so if you do it "offline". that what im talkin about. i knew most of it but was not going guess on the things i was unsure about. very interested also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Brother you’re a lifesaver!! I’ll start grabbing the pieces and go for it. If that’s ok, I’d like to pick your brain a bit more when I run into a problem. We can do it on this forum or maybe we can exchange emails/phone Happy to help on here. It's not that I mind helping offline, but like Gary said at least if it's on here it's captured information;). I swapped a 1991 M5OD-R2 into my 1984 F150 Flareside with 302. It turned out to be a very easy swap in this truck. Truck was a factory manual trans, so it already had hydraulic clutch. The M5OD was only 3/8" longer than the 3 spd I removed, so I was able to re-use my existing driveshaft and slip yoke...it just popped right in there. I even welded an NP435 4spd stick on to the 5spd stub shaft so that my truck looked like it had a period correct transmission in it. Here was the 5spd all painted up and re-sealed before I installed it. Used a rattle can of Cast Aluminum engine paint. Love that stuff! The M5OD shifter seal and bushings are notorious for falling apart (well, they are 30+ years old now). I bought all the seals and kits I think from All State Gear: https://www.allstategear.com/M5R2-RKE-5-Speed-Transmission-Parts-s/1976.htm Good idea to do the front and rear main seals if you are able to, and I recommend these two kits below: I'm a big fan of swapping a 5spd into a Bullnose. I think it is one of the best mods you can do (if not THEE best mod). I'm just a fan of having OD in general, so however one gets there, it's worth it in my mind. I'm currently building a '52 pickup, and I'm installing an auto trans with OD (an AODE/W, or 4R70W). When I swapped the M5OD into my 1980 F150 4x4 with 300/6, I had to do the firewall holes and all that. You can buy the firewall brace from JBG. I believe that is the only place you can buy one now. There was another company making them called Terrapin, but they stopped selling them a couple years ago. https://shop.broncograveyard.com/83-91-Ford-Bronco-Ford-Truck-Firewall-Clutch-Repair-Bracket/productinfo/34010/ If you install a firewall brace (and it IS a good idea), it also acts as a template so you'll know exactly where to drill the three holes in the firewall. I installed a Terrapin brace on my 1984 F150, but when I did the 1980, I made my own brace with 16ga steel, which was smaller, but still functional. And here it was installed in the 1980 cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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