3 to 5 speed upgrade on '72

Clutch, transmission, rear axle

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RyIce9
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3 to 5 speed upgrade on '72

Post by RyIce9 »

If you're not interested in reading the following novel, I'll put a synopsis at the bottom above my summarized questions.
Hey guys!! I'm a 15 year old and I have a sorry old sow of a truck. It's a red '72 with a 302 and a three speed with about 400k miles on it. It sounded like there was a roll of quarters floating around in there, in addition to the massive whine, so I figured I'd swap up to a five speed.
I bought the thing, which I have affectionately dubbed Red Thunder, in September last year. It was originally a 3 speed on the column, but was converted with a generic shift kit to floor. It's like shifting in a bowl of pudding, I swear to you. It also has a 550 Edelbrock carb, paired to the stock two barrel intake. Again, not my work, but I have a highrise streetmaster intake too.
Anyhow, I'm in the process of dropping the old tranny, since I have the new one sitting in the bed. I dropped the driveshaft, tore out that horrible shifter, and have cracked most of the transmission bolts out. Currently, I'm stuck because of a few tricky bolts, but nothing I can't handle.
I decided I wanted more gears and a functioning transmission for that matter. I pulled a M5OD-R2 five speed from a 1991 F150. However it has a hydraulic clutch, so I'm wondering what that conversion entails.
I'm also concerned that I may need a new clutch, since the splines may not match up.

If you didn't read my little story, here's the rundown. I have a 3 speed and am converting to a five from a newer truck. I'm concerned about a number of things, among them the hydraulic clutch. The new transmission is a Mazda, an M5OD-R2 from a 91.
With the above information, my questions to you guys are as follows:
1) Will I need an entirely new clutch, to compensate for the hydraulic clutc and the splines, or just the hydraulic parts, and if the latter,
1b) what parts will I need to convert to hydraulic.
2) Will I need to adapt any other parts to bolt up?
3) Will I need a new starter?
4) is there any tuning/swapping up while I have the ass end of the engine torn apart?
And finally,
5) will the bolt pattern match up to a 351W, since I have one laying around? Or is that just asking for trouble?
Anyways, thanks for any answers, and please leave suggestions on where I should take this thing in the future! Additionally, I'd love to hear your stories about your projects as well!!
Thanks a ton guys!!
'72 F100, "Red Thunder", 302W with 5 speed
'64 Ranchero (this is my brother's), "Black Dragon", 170 6-cyl with 3 speed.
302W from RT will be in Black Dragon, 351W H/O redone will be in mine.
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eggman918
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Re: 3 to 5 speed upgrade on '72

Post by eggman918 »

Start here http://www.fordification.com/tech/M5R2_5spd-swap.htm
I did the M5od but it was in conjunction with the Cummins 4BT so all I did wont be relevant.
But I will say I an very happy with the M5od's performance so far.
Steve

The"Filthy Beast"- '68 F-250 Crew Cab 131"W/B 4x4 4BT compounds hx30/Wh1c,5x.012" sac injectors/ZF 5/NP203-205 /3.54 44 trutrack front/60 trutrack rear on 33's. 2nd owner

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tnab1970
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Re: 3 to 5 speed upgrade on '72

Post by tnab1970 »

we just did the same thing on a 1969 f100 lwb 6 cyl
I will answer questions per our swap
1) replace clutch while you are apart you will be happy you did. We used the clutch for the 1990 f150 truck 5-speed combo. ( we chose a truck with the same engine trans combo)
1b) I built a firewall mount and linkage setup to use the '69 clutch pedal on the 1991 clutch master cylinder. Welded a bracket to clutch pedal. You will need to move the trans cross member to the rear of the truck, we used the cross member out of the 1991. Also had to build a new carrier bearing mount because of the trans being longer. you may have to shorten your driveshaft or use a combo of the donor truck and existing. you will need the master cylinder from the truck you got the trans out of.
2) covered above I think
3) not sure we used the one off of the donor truck because it looked newer.
4) up to you.
5) 240 & 300 (6cyl ) , 289, 302 , & 351W all have the same trans bolt pattern as far as I know.
hope this helps. I have posted a few pics in the " calling all pre-runner thread " and can take some more if you need.

eggman, do you have a build thread on that 4bt conversion? we are considering that for this truck. but the 300 was a running motor and we are going on the cheap for now. would like to see some pics of yours.
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