International transmissions

fordornothing · Aug 8, 2013

So since I have a severe dislike for the ZF6 transmission, I was wondering what manuals came behind the T444E in the international trucks. Did ay of them have a 10 speed?

TrailerHauler · Aug 8, 2013

Anything with an SAE bellhousing, which would allow you to bolt up anything from a 6 speed, up through a 10 speed.

Purdue_stroker · Aug 8, 2013

Why do u hate the zf6? I love em

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fordornothing · Aug 9, 2013

Well when I bought the pickup, it had the factory trans which had been rebuilt by ford several times. That one siht the bed so I swap it with a reman, still a pos. It doesn't shift worth a dam, whines like hell when you're coasting, 3rd grinds every time, unless the oil is past 150*F. And every other ZF6 I've drove is the same way. I'm not a fan of the ZF5 either.

CSIPSD · Aug 9, 2013

Purdue_stroker said:
Why do u hate the zf6? I love em

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There is not a damn thing to like about them... Stock truck there fine, after that, forget about it.

Freightshaker · Aug 9, 2013

The 444's I caught in a medium truck were 5. 1,2,3 real snappy then ffffffooooooouuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrr, ffffffffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvvveeeeee.

Beans71086 · Aug 9, 2013

Spicer 5, 6, and 6+ (7) speed transmissions, I think they used eaton 5 and 6 speeds also. These are all factory coupled to a t444e and or 7.3 idi.

Purdue_stroker · Aug 9, 2013

Mine grinds in 3rd. That's the only complaint I have with it. It shifts fast and smooth, and its handled all the power and pulling I've done so far great!

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HaysKSFirefighter · Aug 9, 2013

The 6+1 trans would probably be a good choice. Should provide a good mix of down low and top end. Back when I worked for an international dealer I thought how I would love that trans in my pickup as well...One more gear would be perfect for me.

Vader's Fury · Aug 9, 2013

The 6+1 doesn't have a higher final gear ratio than the zf-6 though does it? It just has more in-between gears which depending on how you use it, could be beneficial.

From what I have seen, they do not bolt up directly to the 7.3. You will need the adapter plate to go to a SAE housing. That same adapter plate thought, will let you bolt up any SAE trans which opens up a LOT of options depending on what you are looking for.

rascal · Aug 9, 2013

I love my ZF6. My regulator for the fluid pump is out but I will fix that when I upgrade the clutch.

If I ever need a rebuild it is going to MidWest Transmissions for some upgrades while I am at it.

rascal · Aug 9, 2013

Also, that awesome 7.3 build they are doing in the latest issue of DieselPower (see my post in 7.3 aftermarket) is being backed by a ZF6. Can't wait to see the results!

HaysKSFirefighter · Aug 9, 2013

Vader's Fury said:
The 6+1 doesn't have a higher final gear ratio than the zf-6 though does it? It just has more in-between gears which depending on how you use it, could be beneficial.

From what I have seen, they do not bolt up directly to the 7.3. You will need the adapter plate to go to a SAE housing. That same adapter plate thought, will let you bolt up any SAE trans which opens up a LOT of options depending on what you are looking for.

IIRC they are fairly close. It's been quite some time since I did the research. I pulled up the specs and was looking at it for something I could run 35-37" tires on with my factory gears and still tow, and have reasonable RPM @70-80mph. The gearing meant that there was less of an RPM drop on shifts to keep it more in the sweet spot which would be good for a 6.0. I got the idea after driving a customer's box truck with a 444 and a 6+1, it was surprisingly peppy being how heavy the thing was empty and being lower power rated, compared to a pickup that would be lighter, have more power, etc.

fordornothing · Aug 9, 2013

I'm not looking to go fast all the time, more just tow power. Right now I feel like the gears on a ZF6 should be closer together. I was thinking maybe a 8spd but I don't need the LL. I'll look up that 6+1.