manual trans options for a f250.

[-96jeepspeed-]

89 f250 460 2wd automatic, I have a feeling that the c6 is starting to take a crap, and dont really want to rebuild it or throw another auto in there. i would like a manual trans 4 or 5 speed with a deep granny or just a deep 1rst gear. I live up a really steep hill and while towing my 4k pound toyota on a 1600 puond trailor the tranny pretty slips in 1rst gear the whole way up, about 200 yards if i had to guess. So what are the good ford trannys for a big block that are stout and easy to find?

[yotarunner]

Ford had three manual trans available for that era of F-series that I know of. The M50D was the light duty trans, the ZF-5 was the heavy duty trans, and the 4-speed T-18. Later years had the ZF-6 six speed. For towing I would use the ZF-5. I had one in my 96 F-250 Diesel and first gear was so low that I always started off in second gear. They are a strong trans but they are expensive to rebuild and hard to find. I personally would stick with the C6. They are more common, easier to find parts for, and can be rebuilt to be a very strong trans. Also I think it would be cheaper and easier to rebuild or replace the C6 than swap in a manual.

[-96jeepspeed-]

IMO the c6 will last more than a year towing my toyota up the hill maybe 2 or 3 times a month. maybee ill keep my eye out for a zf-5. Thanks for the info.