302 Trans question

[Chevelle Kid]

I'm doing a 302 swap in my Bronco II and I want to keep a manual trans in it. What would be the best trans for me to go for? I would like to keep the hydraulic clutch setup (keeps adpting it easier). I have an '87 Bronco II 4x4.

Thanks

Ben

 

[superds]

Probably a ZF or a M5OD-R2 transmission from a late eighties or early nineties F150 would be the best. They are both overdrive transmission so they would be good on the highway. ZF is much more heavy duty but the R2 saves quite a bit of weight. You could swap up to a half ton transfer case at the same time to replace the weaker stock unit.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The M5OD out of the 97-03 (maybe later??) are supposed to fit really nice. The 4.2 uses the same boltpattern as the SBF, just have to enlarge the holes.

 

[superds]

The M5OD out of the 97-03 (maybe later??) are supposed to fit really nice. The 4.2 uses the same boltpattern as the SBF, just have to enlarge the holes.

I thought those might work also, but I wasn't sure so I didn't say anything. I've heard the trannys behind the 97+ V6 F150 were the M5OD-R2 and were similar to the previous R2. Are there any other differences between the trans from 88-96 (300, 302, 351) and 97+ (4.2L V6) besides the hole size?

 

[Chevelle Kid]

does the M50D-R2 have a granny gear? If it doesn't I might go towards the ZF...

 

[superds]

No, the R2 does not have a granny first gear. But, you are correct, the ZF does.

 

[ford1386]

do the zf, just put one in and the granny first gear is awesome.................helps to have a 3" body lift tho

 

[pyro4fun]

I have been studying for a 302 swap and here are the other compatible trans. I have found in my search's so far.

Borg Warner T5
Borg Warner T18 (ford trucks 1956-73)
Borg Warner T19 (ford trucks 1974-85)
NP435
M50DR2
ZF 5 speed with granny gear

I have yet to compare these so I'm not sure if thy are 4 or 5 speed's or if thy have a granny gear or not.

hope it helps

 

[superds]

I have been studying for a 302 swap and here are the other compatible trans. I have found in my search's so far.

Borg Warner T5
Borg Warner T18 (ford trucks 1956-73)
Borg Warner T19 (ford trucks 1974-85)
NP435
M50DR2
ZF 5 speed with granny gear

I have yet to compare these so I'm not sure if thy are 4 or 5 speed's or if thy have a granny gear or not.

hope it helps

The T18, T19, and NP435 are all four speeds with granny low. However, they came with mechanical clutches, which would make it additional work to use with a hydraulic clutch (if it's possible, I'm not sure).

The T5 is a five speed, again with a mechanical clutch. To use this with a transfer case would require finding one from a Chevy S10, or at least adapting the output shaft to another T5; or you could run a divorced t-case setup; or find an T5 to t-case adapter that Advanced Adapters used to make.

 

[JoeyB]

I have a NP3550 in my 1987 302 Ranger. It's a 5 speed with a low 1st gear and a hydraulic clutch. So far I like it. You might want to add it to your list.

 

[Chevelle Kid]

I have a NP3550 in my 1987 302 Ranger. It's a 5 speed with a low 1st gear and a hydraulic clutch. So far I like it. You might want to add it to your list.

You have my attention! What're they found in? Did you have to put a BL on to fit it? I'd like to keep the BL out of the equation as I'm getting it SAS'd also and don't want to be too top heavy....

 

[JoeyB]

I have to apologize. I'm not real familiar with all the acronyms. What's BL and SAS'd mean?

Here is some basic info on the trany http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/nv3550.htm

There are a few things you have to do to make this trany work. AA Adapters has all the parts. You need the plate to adapter this trany to the 302 bell housing. I used the stock transfer case so I had to buy another adapter that fit the trany to the transfer case. The cross member has to be modified as well. That's the part I'm getting ready to tackle in the next few weeks. I built a temporary bracket until I had time to fab something new and permanent.

The rear driveshaft had to be shortened and the front lengthened. The transfer case was close but fit around the gas tank. The nice thing about the trany is it's not much bigger vs. the stock trany which allowed it to fit fairly clean. Here are a few photos of the trany. The other bonuse is you can use a Hurst shift with this trany. I hope this helps.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=136
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/album.php?albumid=139

 

[fili450r]

BL --body lift
SAS --solid axle swap

 

[Chevelle Kid]

I have to apologize. I'm not real familiar with all the acronyms. What's BL and SAS'd mean?

There are a few things you have to do to make this trany work. AA Adapters has all the parts. You need the plate to adapter this trany to the 302 bell housing. I used the stock transfer case so I had to buy another adapter that fit the trany to the transfer case. The cross member has to be modified as well. That's the part I'm getting ready to tackle in the next few weeks. I built a temporary bracket until I had time to fab something new and permanent.

The rear driveshaft had to be shortened and the front lengthened. The transfer case was close but fit around the gas tank. The nice thing about the trany is it's not much bigger vs. the stock trany which allowed it to fit fairly clean. Here are a few photos of the trany. The other bonuse is you can use a Hurst shift with this trany. I hope this helps.

Sorry about that, I got too lazy to type the whole words

I'm how much did you have to shorten the rear driveshaft? I'm doing this in a Bronco II so I don't have a whole lotta length...LOL

Lucky for me I am doing a Bronco II so the gas tank isn't a problem.

And what trucks came stock with this trans? I'd think Jeep but not many used a granny gear. EDIT: Didn't see the first link, I'm damn surprised that jeep used this..

Thanks!

Ben

 

[JoeyB]

Thanks for helping out an old man with the acronyms. Now that I know what BL and SAS are I can say I did put in a 2" body lift. It made everything a little easier. I used the stock rear axle knowing at some point I'll probably have to replace it. I don't remember how much I had to cut off the rear shaft. I did the measurements and gave it to the driveshaft guys. Would you like for me to measure it? I could do that tomorrow if you would like?

Whatever transfer case you use will also determine the length of your drive shaft. The adapter I had to use to make the NP3550 trany work with the stock transfer case is what contributed to making the drive shafts a little shorter.