[fireman15]

I've tried my luck with the search tool and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, either here or the Google machine. Long story short I'm looking for anyone that has done a ZF6 conversion behind a 12v. My NV4500 is finally giving me trouble in the form of a deceleration vibration that is getting worse. Since my truck works everyday I'm looking for viable options and I like the ZF6. I know all the parts are available, I'd just like some pointers and/or advice prior to jumping into the project. I have already located a doner trans, but have not purchased it yet. And no offense , but before anyone starts with the whole "just build the 4500" rant citing your 3rd cousin's uncle on your stepmom's side had a 4500 behind a 900hp 1200 ftlb p-pump 12v that lasted for 800k miles, I'm not going that route for many obvious reasons. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[9297oldram]

There members who have put a 12v in front of a zf6 in a Ford, you would need a adapter, PS starter, conversion flywheel and modify your driveshafts.

Also I read a few days ago where someone had a zf in there Dodge so hopefully he will chime in.

I have a zf5-42 diesel trans behind my 12v and I like it because of the close gear spread.

 

[alanack6795]

I think @hookit recently did a ZF6 in a '96 12v.

 

[fireman15]

Thanks for the responses! 9297oldram thats what I really need, closer ratios. That 3-4 gap is no fun with a decent load.

 

[Stox225]

Following. This is an upgrade I would like to do.


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[9297oldram]

Thanks for the responses! 9297oldram thats what I really need, closer ratios. That 3-4 gap is no fun with a decent load.

I know my old Getrag had some nice big gaps and I heard the NV4500 wasn't much better. Destroked450 has a zf6 in his Ford and he likes it behind his 12v, just make sure it's a zf diesel trans.

 

[thor363]

Cody Freide on the Fummins Tech forum on FB does these adapters. Here's a link to his site. https://www.wildhorsemfg.com/73-zf6-adapter.html

 

[9297oldram]

Cody Freide on the Fummins Tech forum on FB does these adapters. Here's a link to his site. https://www.wildhorsemfg.com/73-zf6-adapter.html

Those are some better looking steel adapters then the ones I saw someone selling on Ebay.

 

[thor363]

Those are some better looking steel adapters then the ones I saw someone selling on Ebay.

Agreed, and I'm trying to encourage Cody to do a batch of 12 valve to 4R100 adapters with flywheels of course. He makes nice billet flywheels also.

 

[hookit]

I’m not an authority on this swap as I’ve only done mine and many of the parts I bought were gathered up by someone that bailed on his swap.
I will start off by saying there are two different ZF6s. A 650 and 750. Those numbers designate max torque ratings. I cannot remember the break year but I believe it was 03 when the 750 was introduced. Don’t quote me on that.
I will just go through a few things that I do know, I am sure there are other options and routes you can take to achieve the same goal.
I used in my swap a ZF6-750 and a NP271 manual shift. Here is a partial list of parts a guy would need.
Adapter plate (I used a Destroked aluminum one)
Clutch master and slave (Dodge master with a ford slave. Mine came in that box of parts. I was told valair put it together but don’t quote me. I do know that they will mate up.)
Six speed fly wheel (I used a Dodge with a spacer to move it away from the crank and machined a pilot bearing into it to accept the ZF6 input shaft. )
Clutch (I had a new SB in front of my old NV 4500 that I used)
Power stroke starter(goes on passenger side)
Ford throw out bearing and clutch arm, aftermarket trans cooler and lines, tranny mount
I am sure there is more that I am forgetting but we’ll get to it.
There is a reasonable amount of fab work. You have to build a crossmember, work out a transfer case shifter, wire up the starter, rework the drivelines, etc.
I took a lot of care making sure that the attitude and centerline of the trans and transfer case were close to stock. I had to massage the driver side frame rail a little to get the transfer case to fit. I also had to beat on the body for down pipe clearance. Also had to put a small indentation in the downpipe to clear the starter. Had to cut a pretty big hole in the tunnel and make a shift tower cover. Made the transfer case linkage with my old 241 linkage. Had to lengthen it and build a little bracket to attach to the ZF6. One plus was that seeing how the trans/transfer case is approximately 8 inches longer, I could go to one piece rear driveline.
Dakota Digital has a work around off of the abs sensor for the speedo.
I’m sure there is more and you’ll have lots of questions. I’ll do my best to answer them. I can get some pictures at a later date also.



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[Destroked 450]

I have a ZF6-750 mated to a 12v in my Ford, it's a good combination.
I guess my question is with the cost of adapters and such to fit the ZF6 in a Dodge, why not just do a G56 swap?

 

[fireman15]

I have a ZF6-750 mated to a 12v in my Ford, it's a good combination.
I guess my question is with the cost of adapters and such to fit the ZF6 in a Dodge, why not just do a G56 swap?

In all honesty, it’s because of the deal I got on the ZF6

 

[fireman15]

Hookit thank you for the detailed response. As I get into this project I may need to call on your expert advice. I’m still a little ways out from jumping into this but I’ll let you know when it starts!

 

[GAmes]

In all honesty, it’s because of the deal I got on the ZF6

Compared to hookit's installation a G56 is bolt in. Actually, with a 2WD the only fabrication is the transmission mount and a driveshaft. Everything else is bolt on. So why not flip the ZF6 and opt for the easier install?

 

[hookit]

Destroked and Games have a good point. If you are not pulling heavy and steep with 400+ hp the g56 is more than adequate. I opted for the zf6 for a couple of reasons. A main shaft center support, external transmission cooler and of course the great deal I got on the trans, transfer case and virtually everything needed to do the swap. It was a considerable amount of work but for me it was worth it.


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[u2slow]

I believe there's a 7.3L and 6.0L bolt pattern for the ZF6... that may be the change in torque ratings also.

... the great deal I got on the trans, transfer case and virtually everything needed to do the swap. It was a considerable amount of work but for me it was worth it.

The right deal on a trans/tcase can easily compensate for the extra cost of a custom adapter. :grin2:

I have the same phenomenon with two ZF5's and a NP271 w/driveshafts... so I'll probably be adapter shopping too.

 

[hookit]

I believe there's a 7.3L and 6.0L bolt pattern for the ZF6... that may be the change in torque ratings also.







The right deal on a trans/tcase can easily compensate for the extra cost of a custom adapter. :grin2:



I have the same phenomenon with two ZF5's and a NP271 w/driveshafts... so I'll probably be adapter shopping too.

You’re correct, the 7.3 had the lower rating.

I think they came out with 3 different gear spreads in the zf5 but even the widest one was better than the nv4500. And 5th gear holds up.

DCS has adaptors for all of them.



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[Destroked 450]

Not sure what you could get out of the ZF6 but D89 has a complete G56 conversion with dual disc clutch in the 2nd gen classifieds.

 

[Hoganh]

I put a zf6 behind my 2000 pumped 24v. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was looking to do a manual swap anyway and found a great deal on the transmission, plus they are incredibly tough. Seems like you got your answers by some other members already. Just thought I’d chime in, and let you know what I did and how I liked it.

 

[9297oldram]

The zf5-42 diesel has the best gear spread for the Cummins of the zf5's, the zf5-47 gas 460 trans has the same gear spread of a Getrag 1st Gen. I've never driven a nv4500 to compare how it is to a zf5.