Which manual trans fits/works best in a Bronco II?

[averageguy]

I already have a fuel injected 302 in a Mountaineer to use for this project. My 1985 B2 has a 5 speed manual trans, and a 2.8 . Will the stock trans be strong enough for reasonable use? No serious off roading, mild street abuse occasionally, no lift, stock tires. If so, I'll buy the adapter. If not, which full size trans and transfer case will fit the best? I'd like to stick with a manual.

 

[adsm08]

 

[EMB1230]

Hmmm...how do I put this? HELL NO!!!! They won't even bolt up to each other.

 

[dangerranger83]

If you want a 5 speed, the zf 5 will do. A good transfers case would be either the np205, heavy and only a 2:1 low ratio but can be dual sticked due to its a gear driven, or the np208, lighter, chain driven and can't be dual sticked but had better low ratio, but bigger and fits fine, what I'm using.

You plan on keeping the engine FI? If so, then the computer won't like a manual trans.

A 302 swap is something easier said then done, but worth it in the end.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[averageguy]

Hmmm...how do I put this? HELL NO!!!! They won't even bolt up to each other.

If you mean the 302 and stock trans there is an adapter kit available using a different bell housing.

If you want a 5 speed, the zf 5 will do. A good transfers case would be either the np205, heavy and only a 2:1 low ratio but can be dual sticked due to its a gear driven, or the np208, lighter, chain driven and can't be dual sticked but had better low ratio, but bigger and fits fine, what I'm using.

You plan on keeping the engine FI? If so, then the computer won't like a manual trans.

A 302 swap is something easier said then done, but worth it in the end.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

I plan on having the computer reprogrammed. Do you know what years that trans ran? Your thread on your truck is great by the way.

 

[1986fordranger]

if your only looking to do mild street abuse once in a while then the stock 5 speed should hold up to a stock 302 okay , but it will most likely be cheaper to buy a trans and transfer case combo from an f serie's truck , btw the zf5 came in some f250's and f350s from i believe 1987ish to 1997 , although for your need's it may be cheaper and easier to find a mazda m50d r2 and a BW1356 from a 1987 to 1996 f150 or bronco , the zf5's are sort of sought after for their PTO port and their heavy duty design , at anyrate you might want to consider atleast a 2'' body lift to help with the tight clearance's of everything

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

if your only looking to do mild street abuse once in a while then the stock 5 speed should hold up to a stock 302 okay , but it will most likely be cheaper to buy a trans and transfer case combo from an f serie's truck , btw the zf5 came in some f250's and f350s from i believe 1987ish to 1997 , although for your need's it may be cheaper and easier to find a mazda m50d r2 and a BW1356 from a 1987 to 1996 f150 or bronco , the zf5's are sort of sought after for their PTO port and their heavy duty design , at anyrate you might want to consider atleast a 2'' body lift to help with the tight clearance's of everything

The stock trans barely held up to the weak little V6's Ford put in front of them, it won't have a hope against a V8... if they would even come close to bolting up.

97-08 4.2 V6 F-150 M5OD has the shifter in a better spot than the earlier ones.

 

[1986fordranger]

The stock trans barely held up to the weak little V6's Ford put in front of them, it won't have a hope against a V8... if they would even come close to bolting up.

97-08 4.2 V6 F-150 M5OD has the shifter in a better spot than the earlier ones.

true , but advanced adapters makes an adapter to bolt a sbf to that transmission , it will last........for awhile , it'll depend on how much abuse he puts it through

 

[wendell]

The world class T-5 would be the best tranny, that's what James Duff recommends. I think they have the t-case adapter as well.

 

[1986fordranger]

The world class T-5 would be the best tranny, that's what James Duff recommends. I think they have the t-case adapter as well.

true , the only real issue is finding a transfer case adapter being that they are NLA..... http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/v8conversion.html

 

[1mean02hd]

The stock trans barely held up to the weak little V6's Ford put in front of them, it won't have a hope against a V8... if they would even come close to bolting up.

97-08 4.2 V6 F-150 M5OD has the shifter in a better spot than the earlier ones.

I'd stick with this route. It fits and will withstand some abuse alot better than a T5. Unless, replacing and repairing T5s is your kinda thing.

 

[Kevincoffey13]

T5

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

T5

Geared for a sports car, flaky durability in said sports car and practically no 4x4 swap parts available.

A mighty fine choice for a 4x4.

 

[Kevincoffey13]

Was just a suggestion

 

[Mac]

The stock trans barely held up to the weak little V6's Ford put in front of them, it won't have a hope against a V8... if they would even come close to bolting up.

97-08 4.2 V6 F-150 M5OD has the shifter in a better spot than the earlier ones.

That's my vote.
The ZF is great for hard core 4x4'r, plenty stong and have a rock crawling first gear of 5.13 but heavy and huge, body lift best. T-5 great for 4x2's for car like performance but no 4x4 adapters made for 8-10 years and even then they cost $750+ and required teardown of trans. Even the T-5 from a 4 cylinder is not a good choice for a V-8.
Dave