Ford Econoline Van Manual Transmission Swap overview

[@dansimpson3619]

Looking good Jon! Keep up the good work. Even Miss Judy like to listen to you explain the details. Anxious to see more. And can't wait to see it again for real!

[@GillansGarage]

Thanks!!! I’m so glad to hear!!! Stop in anytime!!

[@fernandogarcia3178]

I'm from Mexico

[@GillansGarage]

I’d really like come down and buy some Mexican Ford’s. Like a Crew Cab Ranger or a classic B100

[@Noctis_B]

@GillansGarage Hey there! I've seen your work and it's quite impressive! In fact you were one of the main reasons why I decided to pick up a 1981 Econoline E150 with a 3+OD (I guess, four speed). I do not like that transmission at all. I'd love to do a 5MODR2 swap. I feel that I'm at a crossroads right now because the floor panels in the cab (front front and front rear) need to be replaced due to the huge amount of pitting, holes, and in addition the metal that was broken out when one of the dog house bolts was ugga'dugga'd to hell and tore the metal off the floor (to get the bolt and nut out, I still have the bolt, nut, and piece of floor in between..) Anyway, I was wondering if now would be the time to do the swap? I'm not sure the shifter will sit in the same place as the "old" transmission and rather than cut my new floorboards multiple times (if I were to do the swap later) sounds unappealing. Would you be interested in talking through this a bit with me? A DM, response, or anything of the sort would be wonderful however I do understand you are a busy man, with that said your experience in this particular swap is really appealing. I picked a manual econoline so I would have the foot pedals and have a decent amount of the manual transmission parts, but at this point I'm unsure what I need to buy or where to even begin. Anyway, thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you. All the best, may you be happy, healthy and prosperous! (I work 3rd shift, hence the almost 3AM comment time..CT)

[@GillansGarage]

Send me an email at [e-mail]

[@mudmakerbydesign5424]

That is helpful info. Looking to build a custom driveline for a ceturion build. Just havent made up my mind yet on everything I want out of it. Thank you.

[@scottschutt1107]

Hi nice video I am in the process of refreshing the 460 in my 85 E350 and would like to put a zf5 in it. I will probably try to get in touch to pick up some tips. Thanks for this great info

[@GillansGarage]

Thanks!!! Stick shift is the best!!! Let me know I’d be glad to help however I can. Shoot me an email or if you’re on Facebook you can check the Gillan’s Garage Page and message me there!!!

[@isaiahclements4765]

I've been trying too find a pedal assembly for a while with no luck im probably going to build my own but im having a hell of a time finding pics too copy i have a pedal assembly out of a 95 i plan on using for what parts i can

[@tonyrandazzoe8210]

good video!

[@GillansGarage]

Thank you!!! I used a ZF5 S5-42 transmission out of an old rollback.

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

I never seen a 5 speed manual conversion in the E-Series or Econoline van application does it require any modifications to the 4th gen Econoline vans

[@GillansGarage]

Yes, it’s more work to swap a 4th Gen Econoline as a manual transmission was an option in some 3rd Gen Econoline vans. I believe a 92-96 F150 clutch pedal assembly can be use to modify a 4th Gen brake assembly to make it work. A friend of mine completed a manual swap in a 4th Gen for a while then went back to automatic!?!? 🤷‍♂️

[@chapmanracing1206]

Thanks for the information. I wish someone would build the clutch pedals assembly for them. Is there a drastic difference between the two pedal mount assemblies? Ive looked and never seen a manual transmission van in our area

[@GillansGarage]

Chapman racing They use the same framework but the brake pedal arm is offset and the clutch arm mounts to a shaft that slides inside the shaft that the brake arm rotates on.

[@rogerwest5397]

My question would be I have a 83 Econoline band wanting to switch it to five speed did you take the pedals out of a pickup truck and did they fit the van or do I got to find one with a van pedals

[@GillansGarage]

I’ve used pedals from a van but I’ve been lucky enough to find two stick shift parts vans. They’re another guy on KZbin that modified a automatic van pedal assembly with a truck pedal assembly.

[@rodnozouf1466]

If you ever find any more pedal assemblies i am looking to 5 speed swap 2 e350s

[@GillansGarage]

Good luck with your search. I found a set on eBay some time back. I would also check with some of the junkyards that are tied into a national search database, I hear a guy bought set that way too.

[@GillansGarage]

@@rodnozouf1466 facebook.com/share/BoXo7gRrmPVWd88f/?mibextid=79PoIi

[@wesm6422]

How well does the propane injection work on the IDI? Is it turbocharged?

[@GillansGarage]

So we used it on our hunting trip to Montana. We had two 30lb propane tanks mounted but only used 6” of the top of the tanks, so I’d said our mixture ratio was quite a bit leaner then it could have. We did pick up 1/2 mpg better mileage which I didn’t think was too bad considering we had more weight on that trip then previous trips. We should have burned those entire tanks in 1600 miles plus more. Once we got out there we weren’t comfortable turning it up and taking the risk of not making it home in one piece. Haha. We figured we’d do some tuning closer to home. And yes, the van is turbocharger using a Banks Sidewinder Turbo kit.

[@arichoward9635]

Can you use a f150 or 250 as a complete swap from truck to van?

[@GillansGarage]

I don’t believe so because the firewalls are so different between the trucks and vans. You may be able to use the truck clutch pedal with rod and modify it to go in the van brake pedal assembly.

[@Paisaneando_13]

Currently working on a swap on my 91 … What master cylinder did you used ??

[@Paisaneando_13]

And that push rod 😮

[@GillansGarage]

So on a Cummins build, I’m doing I ended up converting to hydroboost brakes and used a F series truck master cylinder that mounts on a firewall instead of through the floor like this set up. This set up works perfectly fine and that master cylinder is available on either eBay or rock auto. I would highly recommend reinforcing the floor with an additional piece of structural thicker metal.

[@Paisaneando_13]

Noted .. thanks

[@larocadumpministry]

Ive got a 1990 ford e350 4x4 with a 7.3 idi and e40d transmission. Been thinking about getting it swapped to 5 speed and from watching your video it looks like the custom clutch pedal assembly would be a big part of the job. How many hours of labor do you think a job like this would take?

[@GillansGarage]

If memory serves, we had about 30-40 hours in the whole swap.

[@GillansGarage]

Turned out great!! I use that van all the time without question.

[@J.R.in_WV]

How hard is it to find a hydraulic clutch pedal assy. From an E van? I imagine they’re rare as Hen’s teeth but maybe they made more than I realize?

[@GillansGarage]

Well I have found two van within 10 miles of my house, but I might be lucky. Now I’m looking in every van window for the third pedal. Facebook Marketplace is always a good place to look these days. Good luck and thanks for the comment.

[@stephaneouellet1439]

Hi, I like your video . Many years ago, I had a E-150 with a 302 ci equiped with a manual transmission (floor shifter) 4 spd (3 +OD) I have some questions for You. 1- What type of transmission did I had? (Borg W, New Process, M4OD ...) 2- I'd like to find another E-150, can I make the conversion from auto to manual trans with a 5.8L (351 ci W) ? If yes, what do You suggest as transmission? Stephan from Quebec city, Canada

[@stephaneouellet1439]

Ho, I forgot, the E-150 will be from 80-91. I love this model.

[@GillansGarage]

1. Honestly I’m guessing you had a T-18 with and overdrive 4th gear in your old van. 2. Definitely, that can be done. I would suggest the ZF5 5speed transmission. Thanks for the comment and good luck!!!

[@stephaneouellet1439]

@@GillansGarage I will search for it. Thank You ! "Merci!" as We say in french. Sorry for my english, I usualy speak french. :)

[@GillansGarage]

@@stephaneouellet1439 No worries!! Glad to offer whatever help I can. Good luck with your search.

[@kenhoggard7044]

My econoline in that body style has the linkage clutch so I don't have to worry about the hydraulic setup but 1 of my newer body style econolines is auto and I want to swap it, if I can get a clutch pedal if some sort to fit in there, what do you think about a cable clutch conversion like mustang (light duty e150)

[@GillansGarage]

Sure, I think that could work too.

[@fernandogarcia3178]

very special pleasure your truck I have a 1979 transmission Manuel motor 6 in line I have your horijihorijinal manual

[@jacobhendrickson8935]

any chance you would do this to my 94 e150??

[@GillansGarage]

It is possible to swap the newer vans too. I believe guys have used an 92-97 Fseries clutch pedal setup to aid with the swap.

[@Khlandestine]

What about 2000 Econoline?

[@GillansGarage]

A friend of mine did a manual swap on a 4th Gen Econoline van. I believe he used a brake/clutch pedal assembly from a 92-96 Ford F-series truck and modified it to work.