More transmission swap questions ~ few answers

[Hatu]

OK, so I've been looking at swapping out the 3 on the tree for a NV4500 or 3550 leaning toward the 3550, when last night I read a tech piece on doing a Ford ZF trans swap. I hadn't thought of that before, but to my way of thinking (which is probably whacked) I would much rather keep all Ford parts in my Bronco.

Here's the tech piece I saw: My link

Anyone here done this or seen it done? Why isn't this popular? Seems like Da Bomb; to me. What am I missing?

Hatu

 

[S_bolt19]

I've seen it done, and the guys that have it really like it. The problem with it is that it requires more fab skills than the average joe has. You have to build your own crossmember (one of the major vendors might have it, most likely Wild Horses) for one thing. The headache of doing the swap is pretty minimal compared to what the end payoff is for the guys that I know who have done it.

 

[Hatu]

I've seen it done, and the guys that have it really like it. The problem with it is that it requires more fab skills than the average joe has. You have to build your own crossmember (one of the major vendors might have it, most likely Wild Horses) for one thing. The headache of doing the swap is pretty minimal compared to what the end payoff is for the guys that I know who have done it.

Well, actually, I was looking through Jeff's adaptor page and saw this; which is what got me looking into the ZF swap: My link They also have just the crossmember or the conversion without the crossmember. From the pictures, the crossmember doesn't look like it would be that tough to build.

But now the thing I'm wondering is why bother to convert to the Dana 20? Why not just use the transfer case that the ZF came from the factory connected to? From what I'm reading, these transmissions came in 2 & 4 WD Ford trucks from 88 on. Why not just use the trans and transfer case from a 88 on 4X4 Ford truck?

Hatu

 

[bigbluebronc]

Well, actually, I was looking through Jeff's adaptor page and saw this; which is what got me looking into the ZF swap: My link They also have just the crossmember or the conversion without the crossmember. From the pictures, the crossmember doesn't look like it would be that tough to build.

But now the thing I'm wondering is why bother to convert to the Dana 20? Why not just use the transfer case that the ZF came from the factory connected to? From what I'm reading, these transmissions came in 2 & 4 WD Ford trucks from 88 on. Why not just use the trans and transfer case from a 88 on 4X4 Ford truck?

Hatu

I think most people on this forum are looking for tried and easy and cheap upgrades, thus the 435 tranny, no mods just buy the parts and bolt in the hardest part is the shifter bend.

If I were too do it again I would do an auto trans with a 3or4 speed transfer case. It all comes down too cost for most people, the less time in the garage the more time wheeling, the less money spent the more money for gas and fluids and lunch while on the trail.

 

[DeVa70Bronco]

Well after reading your post I did a little research on my own and decided to go with the ZF over the NP 435.... that 5th gear will help with fuel and time to the trailhead. I did see that the 4x4 version was going for over a $1000.00 and the 2wd version conversion seemed doable. Anyways I ended up with the 4x4 version which came with all the clutch parts I stole it for 400.00. I get it this evening and I'm gonna try to see if there is a way to build my own adapter for the Dana 20. Furthermore, I am sticking with the Dana 20 case because of the split shift conversion kit.

 

[bigbluebronc]

Well after reading your post I did a little research on my own and decided to go with the ZF over the NP 435.... that 5th gear will help with fuel and time to the trailhead. I did see that the 4x4 version was going for over a $1000.00 and the 2wd version conversion seemed doable. Anyways I ended up with the 4x4 version which came with all the clutch parts I stole it for 400.00. I get it this evening and I'm gonna try to see if there is a way to build my own adapter for the Dana 20. Furthermore, I am sticking with the Dana 20 case because of the split shift conversion kit.

I do like my twin sticks on the dana 20 drive home in front wheel drive a few times and front diggs can get you through some stuff too with out the rears pushing you and rear wheel low is nice too

BBB Good luck tell us how it came out and total cost