ford 5 spd and $$ for good mazda trans anyone??

thanks for all your input guys!! i will definitely do that with the shifter.

i have ran them all 4 speed 5 speed and masda all in front of 373 gears i ran what i had did not chang anything on 4speed,both 5 speeds had to modify shifters masda shift leaver to long and to heavy bounces out of gear, ford 5 speed the ball on the lower end of the shifter comes off ,weld a ball on it as rocky said i weld a nut on it and grind it round works fine.

rich

the ball on the bottom of the shifter some times break the nilone inserts on the shafts but only if you get rough with it.I have heard of people taking a nut instead of the ball and welding it on the shifter and then grinding it down to fit the slots.I have not myself had to do this but I think Richard was the one telling me that.Other than that the boys from up north are running the ford tranny in their 700 trucks and not having trouble with them.They are just rough on rear ends.Some of the ford trannys are 4 speeds and are 5.I have a 5 speed in one of my parts trucks ,would not be afraid to use it i had too

Don't change anything just run it. We all ran one for 3 years or better. The only thing I like about the mazda over the ford is the mazda has a tighter shift pattern. Adam is the only one that broke one. Let off the gas on jumps and you'll be just fine. Rich is still running one to ask him

I'll most likely end up running the ford tranny, but I've heard that the mazda trannys are alot tougher, just looking for the best I can get for my budget. I know it will hold up but the question is "how long?" As for the "redoing the shifter" I havent heard about this yet. What is involved in this rocky?? where is the weak point at?? thanks!!

go ahead and run the ford if you have too. just redo the shifter so it does not break.the boys up north are running that tranny and so far i have to admit that that is the only thing that has not broken on their truck

I gotta ford 5spd(works fine) out of an 85 ranger. would like to trade it and some cash for a good mazda trans?? I know I know..... good luck with that haha!! just thought I'd try. Thanks guys!!