top loader trany
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From: Graham wa
top loader trany
Hello again
Has anyone had any luck with the top loader 4 speed overdrive tranny? I found one in a junk yard for $300. I has a 208 transfer case which I know is to big. I saw the out put shaft in a couple of bronco web sights and all I can say is ouch!! I wish I could spend all the money on a ZF and all the goodies but with a kid on the way that will be a long time comming. Any comments on the top loader would be great.
Thanks, Duane
Has anyone had any luck with the top loader 4 speed overdrive tranny? I found one in a junk yard for $300. I has a 208 transfer case which I know is to big. I saw the out put shaft in a couple of bronco web sights and all I can say is ouch!! I wish I could spend all the money on a ZF and all the goodies but with a kid on the way that will be a long time comming. Any comments on the top loader would be great.
Thanks, Duane
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From: Graham wa
I may have confused everybody with my description of the transmission. This trany has the shifter comming out of the top. It does not have what I call arms on the side for the shifter. I do know that it is not a t 18 or t19. Then again I really don't know exactly what the top loader looks like. I know it has ten bolts on the top and it seem that every body sells a shift kit for that trany. Any body taken a chance with this trany at all?
Thanks, Duane
Thanks, Duane
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From: Maine
It could be a NP435 too. Where the shifter goes into the top is there a crew ion cap or one that looks like it pushes in and locks on two pins? The NP also has an aluminum cover with an insignia that look like an NP inside of a gear on the top cover. I ran a NP435 in my 76 EB for years. Loved it other than it still has the 1:1 high gear. The super low 1st gear is very nice though.
Ken
Ken
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From: California
I use the truck version of the toploader in my 1956 F100, it is a very strong transmission, it holds up to my 390 easily. Its not what I want for a street/strip vehicle so I plan on going with a C6. But I think it would make a good tranny for a bronco. I have heard that there is a few versions of the truck toploader, as in a van version and a few others I believe. I put a NP435 in my bronco and love it, although an OD 5th would be great. The difference between a 3spd and 4spd will be like night and day, even with the OD 4th in the toploader. Good luck.
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From: Maine
I think everyone gets the Toploader mixed up with the HD Truck 4 Speeds. A Toploader is a car transmission. It looks just like the stock Bronco 3 speed but is a 4 speed and was found in all kinds of Ford muscle cars of the late 60s and early 70. In the mid 80s they also made it in an overdrive, 1st – 3rd are just like the 3 speed and then a 44th gear was OD. They ran then in a few of the cars and the F-100 truck too. Check out http://classicbroncos.com/tranny-toploader.shtml for a picture and a description. You can also look at the T18 and NP435 on that page too. I ran a Toploader in a bronco in the early 80s. They are great if you are going to be running at high RPMs all the time…like running in the desert in the sand dunes but are not much better than the sock 3 speed for any other type of off road driving. Hope this info help.
Ken
Ken
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From: California
Thats what I am talking about is the toploader from the 80s, the one that came in trucks use a top mounted shifter, they came in trucks or vans. They only came with OD 4th as far as I know.
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From: Maine
1956f100 – Yes…I guess they did come in a few vans too. I forgot about that. A friend ran one behind a hopped up 302 and it didn’t last long. I have never really given the OD units much attention. I understand some came with an aluminum case and some had the shifter incorporated into the tailstock. I was hoping the web site might help Duane out. $300.00 buck for the Toploader OD and what ever it costs for the new output shaft and any other cost that may be hidden like machine work that I had to have done to my sock 3 speed adapter to fit the Toploader nearing and except the shift rails. I think I would hold out and save my money for a ZF. I installed mine for less than $1000.00 total! I got a very good deal on the AA Adapter through James Duff. My next OD will be the 700R4 auto.
1956f100 – I see you are running a wristed arm…how do you like it? Did you make it yourself? I am trying to decide between a wristed arm and the WAH that BC Bronco sells.
Ken
1956f100 – I see you are running a wristed arm…how do you like it? Did you make it yourself? I am trying to decide between a wristed arm and the WAH that BC Bronco sells.
Ken
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From: California
I had a friend I met from www.classicbroncos.com make it for me. I havent actually gotten to use it offroad yet, im kinda bummed bout that, but I plan on taking it out soon. It really depends on the money you want to spend, the total cost of my wristed arm was 150 bucks most of that was the cost of a shop to do the welding. Both will give you awesome flex, only down side to the wristed arm is having to un-pin it and pin it after use.
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From: Graham wa
Hello everybody, I see that a little better description brings out the best in you all. Here is a little more detail about the tranny. It is in a 82 bronco with a 300 I-6. My 73 bronco has a 84 302 HO. Do you think I am waisting my time with this 4 speed od tranny?
Thanks. Duane
Thanks. Duane
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From: Graham wa
I am going to go to the junk yard and verify what tranny this particular bronco has. I have the vin breakdown now and this may help me figure it out.
bronco532, which transfer case did you use behind the zf. I keep trying to put everthing together in my mind and the little light bulb does not turn on completely. I see that bc broncos sells an adapter and spud shaft for the d20. alot of money for a couple pieces of steel. well I will quit now? Light bulb still not completely on
thanks, Duane
bronco532, which transfer case did you use behind the zf. I keep trying to put everthing together in my mind and the little light bulb does not turn on completely. I see that bc broncos sells an adapter and spud shaft for the d20. alot of money for a couple pieces of steel. well I will quit now? Light bulb still not completely on
thanks, Duane
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From: Maine
Duane,
I used the stock D20 but I did some shopping around for the adapter. The best deal I got was through James Duff. I got everything for about $150.00 less than what everyone was asking at that time (Feb. of 2002). It is a sweet set up if you like a man. shift. Best of both worlds! Do you really need the OD? I drove my 76 for 12 years with the NP435 in it. Yes I would have like to have had OD but if you’re not doing a lot of high-way driving you’d be OK. If you go with a NP435 you will not need to do any driveshaft work or cross member work The ZF requires both front and rear driveshafts work and I made my own cross member.
Ken
I used the stock D20 but I did some shopping around for the adapter. The best deal I got was through James Duff. I got everything for about $150.00 less than what everyone was asking at that time (Feb. of 2002). It is a sweet set up if you like a man. shift. Best of both worlds! Do you really need the OD? I drove my 76 for 12 years with the NP435 in it. Yes I would have like to have had OD but if you’re not doing a lot of high-way driving you’d be OK. If you go with a NP435 you will not need to do any driveshaft work or cross member work The ZF requires both front and rear driveshafts work and I made my own cross member.
Ken
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From: Graham wa
broco532
I am trying to build a bronco for the future. As I have read about a lot of peoples build ups taking years to finish. Right now I have a c-4 auto. I am trying to build one for hunting and fishing for when I retire from the military. I am trying to get the best of both worlds, low first and an OD for the road. The c-4 that I have now has been rebuilt a couple of time by shade tree mechanics. I don't trust it beyond 15 miles away from my house. That's not far in Texas. I guess I should say I don't trust the whole bronco past 15 miles. But it is slowly getting there.
Thanks for the info
Duane
I am trying to build a bronco for the future. As I have read about a lot of peoples build ups taking years to finish. Right now I have a c-4 auto. I am trying to build one for hunting and fishing for when I retire from the military. I am trying to get the best of both worlds, low first and an OD for the road. The c-4 that I have now has been rebuilt a couple of time by shade tree mechanics. I don't trust it beyond 15 miles away from my house. That's not far in Texas. I guess I should say I don't trust the whole bronco past 15 miles. But it is slowly getting there.
Thanks for the info
Duane