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Auto to Manual Converstion

144K views 181 replies 73 participants last post by  Left Coast Geek 
#1 ·
I have just completed the swap from a 4r100 to a ZF6 in my 1999.9 F-250. Here are the steps I have taken to do so.

There are 3 ways to do this. Get a wrecked donor truck from a junk yard. This would probably be the easier way if you have the money to have tied up in a truck. Andy (Moore20017.3) on PSN did this and once he was done with the swap made money.

I on the other hand didn't have the time or money to get another truck. So I got all my parts piece by piece to complete the swap.

Another way to do this is to get someone that is looking do a manual to auto swap. There are lots of people doing this also.


Here is a list of parts you will need.

6 Speed floor hump out of junk yard truck.
Clutch Pedal Assembly
ZF6 Transmition and Transfercase
A pre-bleed Master/Salve Cylinder kit from Ford
New clutch and flywheel I also recommend the upgraded Clutch Fork from South Bend.
Manual PCM (Optional)


First off the ZF6 is a much taller transmission then the 4r100 therefore I had to find a floor hump out of a Super Duty that used to have a manual. I would look in a junk yard for this. I found mine for $100. If you look at my pictures below you will be able to tell how big you should cut it to make it work right.

Once you have the cut out hump from the manual lay it over the floor hump in your truck. Mark the out side edges all the way around with a marker so you know where it will line up at. Once you have done this go in about 1" from them marks and make the marks where you are going to cut. This will be your lip so you will have something to screw the new floor hump 2 when you go to install it.

Here are some pictures.









With the old floor hump out of the way there is LOTS of room to get to the tranny bolts. This is one reason i didn't bolt the floor hump back in place yet.

Time to remove the old auto tranny. If you are trying to do this swap then you probably have enought understanding to remove the old tranny.

Once the old tranny is out of the way you can remove the old flex plat. Also remember to remove the spacer that is behind this as it is no longer needed with the new fly wheel. Also remove the spacer that is between the transmission and motor at this time.



Now its time to install your new clutch. If you got your clutch kit from South bend it came with a new flywheel and everything you need. If not make sure you have the correct flywheel and I highly recommend putting in a new pilot barring at this time if it is a used flywheel. The one from South Bend already has a new one in it.



You are now ready to install the new zf6.

BUT FIRST!!!! You will need to masure the pins coming out of your engine. and then masure the cast on your zf6 and make sure that it will fit with out hitting. There are different casts of the ZF6 Some will fit with out modification like mine and some you will need to grind down the pins on the motor so they will not hit on the ZF6.
Make sure you do this. If not you could crack the housing on the ZF6 and it would be no good.

Now you can install the ZF6. Here are some picture of how I did this. Don't laugh to hard. I didn't have a tranny jack.





 
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#2 ·
There are also some tranny lines that need to be modified to make work with the ZF6. You can do 1 of 3 things. Get the correct lines. Cut and redo a one of the lines to make it fit correct. Or do what i did and just nicely bend it around without kinking it and make it work.



Now if you got the ZF6 and Transfer case together in one piece you are good. If not make sure you have the transfer case that came off the manual.

I learned while doing my swap that the out put shaft of the manual and the auto tranny's are different. If you don't have the transfer case don't worry. You can switch the input shaft of the transfer case to make it work with the manual.

I decided to switch. I had a electronic transfer case and I got a manual shift one with the ZF6 and I would rather have the manual shift.

If you get a manual shift and change from a electronic there is already a hole in the floor for the shifter. You just have to unscrew it and take the plate off.



Now its time for you to put in your new clutch pedal assembly and Master/Slave cylinder.

All I can say is this is kind of a ***** to do. But once its up there you are good.





Yes the Clutch and Brake pedal are close together but once you drive it a few times you will never have any issues.

Now its time to put the floor hump back in place. I used red RVT sealant around it and the put in self taping screws so that if I need to drop the tranny again it will be easy to get to the bolts.

Cut your hole in your carpet and you are almost there. They carpet don't fit the best but it does fit and look descent.





Next up wiring.

I left wiring harness in place from the auto for now. There are 4 wires that need to be crossed over on the gear selection plug to make the truck run correct and start. I will get a picture of these and post them ASAP.

I do plan at some point in time to delete this harness and just jump these wires up at the plug on the fender well. Just ran out of time.So right now my back up lights and 4x4 lights do not work. But who needs them anyway.

Another thing you will need done is to get a PCM or have your PCM reburned to a manual PCM. You don't have to do this but it would be a good idea. If you are running a chip you will need to send it back and have it reburned for a manual as well.


If you have any other questions about this swap PLEASE ask me because I may have left out something.

Thanks,
Trey
 
#87 ·
There are also some tranny lines that need to be modified to make work with the ZF6. You can do 1 of 3 things. Get the correct lines. Cut and redo a one of the lines to make it fit correct. Or do what i did and just nicely bend it around without kinking it and make it work.

Quick question for you. Are the transmission cooler lines? I am putting a zf6 out of an f250 in my 97 f150. I am just trying to find all the info I can before I get the transmission up in the tunnel. I have a 5 speed in there now from the factory. I was just wondering if I can cap those or if I should run the lines. Thanks in advance. I know I don't have a 7.3, but this is about the only place I have found that could help.
 
#3 ·
Nice write up, looks like a lot of work!! Another option is to sell your truck and buy a manual from the Factory!! But where would the fun be in that, right? I am sure many will find your write up exactly what they needed to jump into something like this.

NCH
 
#4 ·
It really wasn't to bad. I figured 9 hours of total wrench time on it. If I wasn't so attached to the truck I would have just sold and and bought another but I have a LOT of time and MONEY in this truck.
 
#6 ·
WOW!!! You must have the biggest boys of all to cut a hole that big into your truck!

Why did you swap? too much power for your auto and did not want a built auto?

Good work for sure. and the best shot was the trans hanging from the board :) That made me laugh. Good thinking!
 
#7 ·
I did the swap because the auto I had built 3 year ago didnt hold up to the power I have now. And I have always wanted a manual again. I tow a gooseneck a lot and this is better then a built auto for me.
 
#8 ·
Good work, I also completed this task recently in my obs. Gotta love the feel of the manual while towing.
 
#10 ·
I have around 2k in my setup.
 
#11 ·
Nice write up Trey. A copy will be headed to the tech files...:thumb:
 
#13 ·
Yeah there is but I didn't worry about it. I have only hit the brake once when pushing down the clutch and that was the 1st time i went to drive it. I have put over 1000 miles on it since and never done it again.
 
#15 ·
IMO the easiest way to complete the swap is to find a complete donor truck. One that has been wrecked or has a blown engine. I was able to find a complete truck without a motor. Had everything I needed right there. Just parked it next to my truck and started swapping parts. Saved me alot of time not having to run around finding different parts from different trucks
 
#16 ·
wow that is a very good write up. I would say it doesn't inspire me to do mine anymore any time soon, but I don't really tow that heavy often and my wife drives it a lot because I drive a triton v10 that my work gives me. :tard::icon_ford:
I still would do it if I had a lot of time on my hands when my auto trans I have now goes TU, because I agree... nothing feels better than a manual trans. I have had so many auto trans meltdowns in my mustang, my old dodge daytona (4X, kid you not), my mom's cougar, my GMC 3/4 ton 350 pickup I had for a short time.... I just don't trust them. At all. The only auto trans I have yet to destroy that I have had is the old FMX cast iron auto that I had in my '60 Galaxie. I'm so afraid of auto trans failure that when I drove that Galaxie across the US when I got out of the Army I had a SPARE TRANS in the trunk. :crazy: No joke. Ok, I have a problem...
I'll have this saved for when it does explode, then I hope I use this guide!
Scott
 
#17 ·
How much power were you making and whose rebuilt tranny was it? What stage? Do you think that trans would be good for stock 7.3 with a mid hp chip?
 
#18 ·
Here are the pictures of the wires I had to splice together to get the truck running and stuff.



 
#22 ·
i know the original post was a while ago but what are you gonna do with the automatic shift lever and i thought you said you were switching from shift on the fly to manual shift 4X4
 
#23 ·
Automatic shift lever is still in place :doh: Makes it very interesting when you tell someone to move your truck that dont know any better :hehe:

I did change from and Auto Transfer case to a Manual one.
 
#25 ·
Here are the 4 wires that need spliced together.



 
#26 ·
How much did it cost you to find the parts without getting a different truck? I am in the market for a new trans but would rather have a manual if it is cost effective compared to a well built auto.
 
#27 ·
I spend right around 2k for everything
 
#28 ·
Definitely beats paying 4k for a auto tranny... What would be the manual tranny of choice other than stock and would the install be much more difficult?

I am gonna have to start looking that kinda stuff up!
 
#29 ·
I think it would be cool as sh!t to have an eaton 10 speed but the stock ZF6 is a really good tranny
 
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