How Rare?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Denver, NC
How Rare?
I keep getting told that what I have is rare. Not only on this site but around town. I have an 1981 Full size 300 I6, manual 4spd granny gear,9 in ,D44, 3.55 gears. I didn't think it was that special.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1981 Bronco with a 3 speed manual trans? Not original. The last year a Bronco sold new in the US or Canada came with a 3 speed manual was 1977.
Only 1980/83 F100's, 1980/86 F150's, 1980/87 Econolines were available with the 3 speed manual. It's the Ford type 3.03 all syncromesh transmission, introduced in 1963.
AFAIK, Ford never offered any 3 speed manual with a granny first gear. However, if your Bronco was assembled and sold new in Mexico, anything is possible.
Mexico production: The first digit of the VIN is a 3.
Only 1980/83 F100's, 1980/86 F150's, 1980/87 Econolines were available with the 3 speed manual. It's the Ford type 3.03 all syncromesh transmission, introduced in 1963.
AFAIK, Ford never offered any 3 speed manual with a granny first gear. However, if your Bronco was assembled and sold new in Mexico, anything is possible.
Mexico production: The first digit of the VIN is a 3.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Can't necessarily say I would consider that setup rare but I do consider it one of the strongest driveline combinations to find its way into ANY "light" truck. Each of those components is damned near "bullet-proof" in the eyes of many who have had (and taken) opportunity to break lots of them.
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From: Boise, Idaho
I've seen very, very few other 1981 Broncos with 300's in them besides mine. Granted, mine's a 4spd/OD, but still.
My '84 is a 300 with an NP435, and yes, that's near bulletproof, aside from the 8.8", but I don't think I'd ever do enough to break that.
Your '81 looks to be the same red as mine too, although not the same paint trim.
My '84 is a 300 with an NP435, and yes, that's near bulletproof, aside from the 8.8", but I don't think I'd ever do enough to break that.
Your '81 looks to be the same red as mine too, although not the same paint trim.
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From: Denver, NC
Thanks Kemi! That is something I have not got around to figuring out. Ya all that is stock from the factory. Except the internals of the rebuild and carb.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Denver, NC
Can't necessarily say I would consider that setup rare but I do consider it one of the strongest driveline combinations to find its way into ANY "light" truck. Each of those components is damned near "bullet-proof" in the eyes of many who have had (and taken) opportunity to break lots of them.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 162
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From: Denver, NC
I've seen very, very few other 1981 Broncos with 300's in them besides mine. Granted, mine's a 4spd/OD, but still.
My '84 is a 300 with an NP435, and yes, that's near bulletproof, aside from the 8.8", but I don't think I'd ever do enough to break that.
Your '81 looks to be the same red as mine too, although not the same paint trim.
My '84 is a 300 with an NP435, and yes, that's near bulletproof, aside from the 8.8", but I don't think I'd ever do enough to break that.
Your '81 looks to be the same red as mine too, although not the same paint trim.
Ya the paint is no lie Massey Ferguson Red. An enamel paint. It needs a few more coats along with the spray on for the lower section.
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Senior User
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From: Denver, NC
I agree they seem to do very well and the granny does hurt either.
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From: Gateway to the West
Well, when you have an engine that reaches peak HP and torque down around the 2200-2300 rpm range it makes that 3.55 axle gearing behave more like 4.11's behind a V8. (Of course that's why a lot of the trucks with the 300 got the 3.08 axle gearing instead of the 3.55's).
It's really only unusual to those of us used to typical gassers. Diesel folk find this pretty typical.
It's really only unusual to those of us used to typical gassers. Diesel folk find this pretty typical.