Educate me on transmissions...

[RjFabWerx]

Hope I've posted this in the correct spot...

Ok, I'm planning a project here and want to be sure I'm looking for the correct parts...

I'm putting a 302 in my '86, 4x4, extended cab, short box Ranger...My question is what transmission should I go with in order to keep my 4x4...I have been told the C-4 would be a good option but I'm trying to figure out how that would work with keeping my 4 wheel drive when the C-4 its out of a car...other guys have told me to go with a C-6 out of a 4x4 and run the np transfer case with it and that it would be a bullet proof combo...

If this helps, the 302 is currently bolted into a 70's, 2 wheel drive Ford pickup so if there's any difference in 302's, that's what it's bolted into right now and I'm about to pull it out...

I just need to know exactly what will work and what I will be able to find adapters for...I have the websites for the adapters, etc...I just need input about what will be the smoothest swap and basically WHAT WILL WORK in order to keep my ranger a 4 wheel drive?

I'd just like to know what you guys have done with this and how well it worked out for you...

Thanks for any and all information!

Rj

 

[bobbywalter]

i suggest an aod with a 208. unless it is trail only and 300 plus hp. then a c6 with a 205 or some sort of doubler because the od is redundant.

the c4 and dana 20 combo is stout as well for low weight and power applications.

 

[RjFabWerx]

I appreciate it but if I run a C-4, what will I have to do to have a transfer case and keep 4 wheel drive...I'm a dummy right now and you said C-4 and Dana 20 combo and I'm kinda lost...When I read Dana 20, I'm thinking that sounds like a axle...Sorry to sound stupid but when it comes to the transmission thing, I am, lol...

 

[RjFabWerx]

Also, a guy just called me and has a c-6 with a np208 transfer case that he unbolted from a 302 and he said he'd sell the transmission and transfer case for $150...BUT the question is, will it work?

 

[zukirider21]

a c6 will fit like a glove IF you have a 3" body lift. otherwise, im pretty sure firewall pinch weld mashing will be needed.

overall, a c6/205 setup will be absolutely BULLETPROOF, but probably overkill. im sure a c4 or aod will be adequate and should fit easier.

however, if you want to convert a 2wd trans into 4wd, well, that's a pain. you will need an output shaft and tailhousing. swapping them out requires complete disassembly of the trans, and while youre in there, the cost of all the seals and gaskets that will need to be replaced points towards just doing a whole rebuild while your at it.

 

[RjFabWerx]

Yea, the C-4 deal sounds waaaaay over my head then...This truck will be set up as a prerunner and I plan on having atleast 4-5" of suspension lift in the front...I'm a fabricator/welder so I'm not intimidated to use a torch or a hammer one bit, I just wanted to make sure it would work out...even if it's over kill, it sounds like the best option (for someone with my transmission knowledge), to keep my 4 wheel drive...Thank you...Just gonna toss this around for a bit but wanna make sure when I dive in, I know what I'm up against...

 

[adsm08]

you can pull the tail shaft housing off the transmission and put a t-case on it. I'm not as familiar with autos, you might need an extension housing, I'm not sure.

 

[bobbywalter]

you can pull the tail shaft housing off the transmission and put a t-case on it. I'm not as familiar with autos, you might need an extension housing, I'm not sure.

not with this series of fords....but it is possible in some other tranny combos.



the c6/208 is decent...for 150 bux its real easy to consider

but a c4 with a dana 20 t case on it is lighter and easier to fit.

but...i have murdered too many c4's in my multi use 4x4 application to even care to use them. a c6 with a 205/208/1356/1345 hangin off of it will always be easier to find and often cheaper then a c4 dana 20.

with the aod and c6 all of the standard 6 hole t cases fit. 31 spline/6 holers in the ford series do take some creative cocking and or cutting to fit for most applications along with a body lift to ease things along.

 

[RjFabWerx]

Looks like the C-6 it is...yea a guy about an hour away called me and has one with the 205 and said $150...he swears up and down that he unbolted it from a 302 so I don't know if it's a rare case and came that way or if someone else had already adapted it, not sure but he's set on it and very sure so we'll see...gonna do some measuring, etc...and go have a look at what he's got but I don't think as far as money and availability that I could turn it down...wasn't really wanting a body lift but if it's necessary than so be it...

My buddy put the thought in my head of using the transmission out of a 5.0 Explorer 4x4 but after making some phone calls to local junk yards today, I think I'd be better off buying a pre-built prerunner, lol...I also find it strange that the transfer case for the 4R70W was $200 more than the transmission itself...that's nuts! The transmission makes it move, I'd think that would be the more expensive part...Oh well, leaving that idea alone...

Thanks for the information guys and I'll let you know how things progress and get some pictures as it goes together...

 

[zukirider21]

the 5.0 explorer trans/tcase combos are definitely solid, but from what i understand they are all full time 4wd with no 2wd or low range.

oh and im pretty sure that if you dont have a body lift you can still use a c6. you just need to bend down the big pinch weld on the firewall by the trans tunnel.

i have a 3" body lift on mine, and theres TONS of room on top of the trans, so im pretty sure it wont be a major issue.

 

[RjFabWerx]

Yea, between that and being expensive and somewhat hard to find, I think the C-6 is my best option for my scenerio...

 

[351Mazda]

If the C6 and 208 you are thinking about getting came out of an F-150 it will have a slip yolk for the rear driveshaft usually. Out of a Bronco it should have a fixed yolk with a telescoping shaft. You might want to make sure you have the telescoping shaft one, personally I don't like slip yolks.

 

[Shran]

C4/D20 or C6/205 combos are both really good options. I wouldn't bother with the 208 or any of the BW t-cases because you can't twin stick them. 2-low and front dig FTW

 

[RjFabWerx]

Ok, so I'll probably start with the 208 if that's what it's coming with anyway...by twin stick, do you mean running dual transfer cases or what? Each post is adding another element of confusion, HAHA...I have it all figured out, the motor, the suspension, axles, everything but this transmission/transfer case thing is VERY new to me, I have always avoided anything with transmissions in the past, I will take on ANYTHING else so I'm kinda shooting into the wind here...Hopefully the guy is mistaken and it's a np205 that he has OR that I misunderstood him on the phone and that's what he told me but I "thought" he said 208...Thanks guys, great info!!

Rj

 

[Shran]

Twin stick on most transfer cases means that you literally have two shifters. You can disengage the rear axle and use only the front (front dig,) or shift into low range with only one axle active.

Dual transfer cases or a doubler is cool too, and easy with the 205. You would use part of a 203 for extra low range. I am not sure if there's an easy way to do a doubler with a Dana 20, but you can get low range kits for one though.