ZF-5 or NV4500?

T

Tubbyman30

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This may be a dumb question, but I was wondering what everyone thought what I should go with for trans setup. I have a ZF bolted to another 12v sitting in a project going nowhere. I was wondering if I should throw it in my pull truck instead of upgrading my auto.

I don't drive this truck on the street, but I may eventually once in a while. The auto has held up, but it is on borrowed time for sure. Would a ZF hold up to bigger sticks and turbo eventually? I like the idea of the NV4500, but I already have the donor Ford sitting with trans and engine ready to go. The donor Ford is plated for the road, while my current pull truck is not.

I haven't had a problem at our local pulls in the street class, but rules state licensed and insured vehicles only, and now that I have started to place well, I may get more heat.

Anyways, sorry for the novel, let me know what you think.

Thanks
 
The torque rating of both trannys are about 450 ft/lbs. With that said, I think I would gear the axles to allow you to run direct drive (4th gear) through the transmission.
 
If you have the Zf5 run that with a good dual disk pulling clutch, 4lo 4th gear. Let er eat! Im running a zf6 behind my 12v puller
 
That's what I was thinking. Where did you source your clutch? Are you using the t-case from the zf-6?
 
I had Transfer Case Express build an NV271 to go behind my NV4500. It has the Dodge front case half and Ford rear case half. Ford uses a flange, so I could eliminate the slip yoke. Has held up well the past two years. Going to replace the chain this winter.
 
You can source a dual disc from South Bend, Valair and possibly Kennys Pulling Parts.
 
Ya, I was looking after I read your reply. What are you using for an adapter? Destroyed or Diesel conversion specialis?
 
My zf is the early model from the IDIs. Got it cheap, before I planned to pull with it. So with the adapter plate that I already have, I might as well look for a newer ZF5 to drop in.
 
I've put my 97 zf5 through way more that what a 4500 would take.

That being said, last time I drove it I junked it in 3rd grossing about 33k when the chargers came to life. It made all kinds of unhappy noises, but I still had 4th, so I made it 25 miles home. :)
 
Me and my friends made the adaptor plate to bolt onto to my 12V. Im using a 271 t case
 
Ok. I bought an adapper plate from diesel conversion specialist, probably should make use of it.
 
Ive seen the ZF5's crack the aluminum bellhousing right off the transmission before in stock 7.3 trucks. I donno about you guys but I think I'd look into a blowproof can for one and eliminating the cast on bellhousing. maybe you can cut it off and adapt some sort of can to it.

That being said, an NV4500 also has an aluminum bellhousing, but it seems like its more rigid. Also I would feel more comfortable with the actual transmission part of the NV being cast iron compared to the full aluminum ZF5.
 
One other thing, a ZF5 bell is a chore to get much of a clutch stuffed into.
 
not to mention the 4500s are just smaller, have a nice square case with a flat bottom, and are just easier to deal with. The ZF5's are front loading.
 
ryanss22 said:
Me and my friends made the adaptor plate to bolt onto to my 12V. Im using a 271 t case
Click to expand...

Got any pictures of that plate? How thick is it? I've got one layed out on a piece of 1/2" steel and was going to make it into a sort of mid-mount plate. Wondering about depth issues though with flywheel/clutch/pilot bushing...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
So, NV would be better? I'm still in the planning phase. My auto is on borrowed time, and I'd like to go to a Ford frame and body, but I've got the 1st Gen already setup.

Anyways, thanks for replying.
 
I've been tossing this around too and decided on the ZF. The guys at south bend seem to agree that the ZF is pry stronger. My thinking was you can't hardly buy a clutch for a dodge without a billet shaft and I can't really find any billet parts for a ZF


JS
 
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