Swapping to a 5-speed
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1
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Swapping to a 5-speed
I have a '70 Bronco with the original 3-speed one the floor and 3.11 gears. I want to switch to either a 4-speed or 5-speed for better highway driving. I've been told that a 5-speed and transfer case out of a mid 80's F150 should match up with the bell housing. Does anyone have any ideas? Also, I know there is a conversion to add a granny low, but that's not what I'm looking for. Thanks for any help!! 
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 121
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From: California
Swapping to a 5-speed
There are adapters to use a ford toploader and the dana 20 t-case. Im not so sure about the t-5 though. I would suggest the ZF 5spd but you mentioned you dont want a granny gear. The zf has a granny and an overdrive gear.
Check out Advanced Adapters for the toploader and or t-5 tranny to tcase adapters.
Check out Advanced Adapters for the toploader and or t-5 tranny to tcase adapters.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
Swapping to a 5-speed
There are several options out there for 5 speeds.
The NV4500 seems to be the most popular right now.
It does have a 5.61 1st (syncronized) and OD. It shifts easily and is a really nice tranny although expensive. Pretty straight forward swap though.
The ZF is another 5 speed in the same class as the NV. This swap is starting to come around for popularity, but again it is a truck trans with lower 1st gear and OD. They are cheaper to find and the adaptors aren't very expensive, but there are a lot of details that drive the cost up for this swap.
The 5 speed from a light duty F150 is a Mazda. IMO, it is not worth trying to swap because of the lack of strength.
The world class T5 can be swapped, but I'm not sure of the specifics.
It is a car transmission and is high geared.
The old car 4 speed swap used to be very popular to swap into the Bronco. They used the stock 3 speed adaptor. However, they are getting hard to find and the lack of an overdrive doesn't help the highway manners. Very fun to drive though.
Jason
The NV4500 seems to be the most popular right now.
It does have a 5.61 1st (syncronized) and OD. It shifts easily and is a really nice tranny although expensive. Pretty straight forward swap though.
The ZF is another 5 speed in the same class as the NV. This swap is starting to come around for popularity, but again it is a truck trans with lower 1st gear and OD. They are cheaper to find and the adaptors aren't very expensive, but there are a lot of details that drive the cost up for this swap.
The 5 speed from a light duty F150 is a Mazda. IMO, it is not worth trying to swap because of the lack of strength.
The world class T5 can be swapped, but I'm not sure of the specifics.
It is a car transmission and is high geared.
The old car 4 speed swap used to be very popular to swap into the Bronco. They used the stock 3 speed adaptor. However, they are getting hard to find and the lack of an overdrive doesn't help the highway manners. Very fun to drive though.
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 3
From: Columbia, Illinois
Swapping to a 5-speed
Don't bother trying to use the T-case from the 80's pick ups. They don't fit between the frame rails of the EB, and they have a slip yoke in the back of the trans case which is not desirable either. Advance adapters does make a Dana20 to World class t-5 swap if you have to have a street style 5 speed. Pretty pricey, though.
Mike
1966 Bronco
2000 F150 Supercab
Mike
1966 Bronco
2000 F150 Supercab
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