manual trans.

[Betty The Bronco]

Lets say one day my stock automatic transmission decides to take a s@#t. Would it be worth the price to install a manual transmission?

 

[B-150 Mudder]

IT depends on what you are going to be using your bronco for. I have planned on doing this with my 86, however I do know that is is very time consuming and takes some fabricating on your end. So i guess it just depends on how much you really want the man.

 

[Betty The Bronco]

IT depends on what you are going to be using your bronco for. I have planned on doing this with my 86, however I do know that is is very time consuming and takes some fabricating on your end. So i guess it just depends on how much you really want the man.

Well, the thing is that if i do this swap it must be done professionally because i am not manically incline enough for something of this magnitude.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Well, the thing is that if i do this swap it must be done professionally because i am not manically incline enough for something of this magnitude.

Based on that response, IMO the clear answer is NO.

 

[Broncobill78]

Lets say one day my stock automatic transmission decides to take a s@#t. Would it be worth the price to install a manual transmission?

Hmmm, good question. There's a lot of variables to consider.

Like Mudder said, what do you use it for ? Me, personally, I prefer an auto for trail riding and goofing around. Rocking yourself out of a mudhole is a bitch w/a stick. On the other hand there are guys who *love* being able to choose their own gear and use the compression braking on steep downhill grades. It's also easier to setup a standard with the particular gear ratios you prefer, that's not so easy w/an auto.

Now as to whether or not it's *worth* it, I guess that begs the question of what it's worth to YOU ? Who's going to be doing the work ? A swap like this done in the driveway won't run you anything other than the cost of the tranny itself & the proper crossmember. But if you're going to be writing a check for someone else to do the work then sure, it can get expensive. It shouldn't be all THAT expensive to have a shop do something like this depending on a cfew *additional* variables. If you just drop it off, tell them what you want and plan to pick it up in a couple weeks then yeah, we're back to it being expensive. IF you just HAVE to have some oddball 6 speed in there or some super HD medium truck transmission then it'll require fabrication and when you deal with shops the word "fabrication" is just a code word for asking someone to bend-over. You'll pay A LOT if you give it to a shop & they wind up needing to fabricate stuff. IF you choose a tranny that was stock in the series truck you have (66-77, 73-79, 80-92, etc) then both the transmission AND the crossmember should be redily available. If you source them yourself and bring the truck to a good shop & supply them with everything they need to do the job then it's just a quick tranny swap and shouldn't slam your wallet too hard.

Now keep in mind there are always the little niggling problems that go along with something like this so do some research on the front end. If the new tranny is more than an inch or two longer or shorter than your current auto you'll also want the driveshaft from the donor truck (otherwise you're looking at having one fabricated & we've already discussed what *that* word actually means) You'll also want the clutch pedal & cylinder assembly as well. If you can it's best to have access to the donor truck so you can pull all of the little brackets and linkages you'll need. A junkyard can nickle & dime you to death over stuff like that and then when you're 90% done with the swap you'll realize that you still need something else. Picking up a parts truck can save you a whole lot of hassle & bull$hit.

 

[Betty The Bronco]

Hmmm, good question. There's a lot of variables to consider.
Like Mudder said, what do you use it for ? Me, personally, I prefer an auto for trail riding and goofing around. Rocking yourself out of a mudhole is a bitch w/a stick. On the other hand there are guys who *love* being able to choose their own gear and use the compression braking on steep downhill grades. It's also easier to setup a standard with the particular gear ratios you prefer, that's not so easy w/an auto.

Now as to whether or not it's *worth* it, I guess that begs the question of what it's worth to YOU ? Who's going to be doing the work ? A swap like this done in the driveway won't run you anything other than the cost of the tranny itself & the proper crossmember. But if you're going to be writing a check for someone else to do the work then sure, it can get expensive. It shouldn't be all THAT expensive to have a shop do something like this depending on a cfew *additional* variables. If you just drop it off, tell them what you want and plan to pick it up in a couple weeks then yeah, we're back to it being expensive. IF you just HAVE to have some oddball 6 speed in there or some super HD medium truck transmission then it'll require fabrication and when you deal with shops the word "fabrication" is just a code word for asking someone to bend-over. You'll pay A LOT if you give it to a shop & they wind up needing to fabricate stuff. IF you choose a tranny that was stock in the series truck you have (66-77, 73-79, 80-92, etc) then both the transmission AND the crossmember should be redily available. If you source them yourself and bring the truck to a good shop & supply them with everything they need to do the job then it's just a quick tranny swap and shouldn't slam your wallet too hard.

Now keep in mind there are always the little niggling problems that go along with something like this so do some research on the front end. If the new tranny is more than an inch or two longer or shorter than your current auto you'll also want the driveshaft from the donor truck (otherwise you're looking at having one fabricated & we've already discussed what *that* word actually means) You'll also want the clutch pedal & cylinder assembly as well. If you can it's best to have access to the donor truck so you can pull all of the little brackets and linkages you'll need. A junkyard can nickle & dime you to death over stuff like that and then when you're 90% done with the swap you'll realize that you still need something else. Picking up a parts truck can save you a whole lot of hassle & bull$hit.

I use my bronco as a daily driver. I also try my best not to push it too hard. But yeah, its always healthy to pop it into 4 wheel drive once in a while and go a little off road. I dont live next to any swamp lands or severe terrain, plus my baby is only stock and i know she has limitations.

If i'm going to be doing this project in the future i'll will probably settle with a slightly used or refurbished transmission. I would also like to get everything i can possibly get before hand and just hand it over to the mechanic.

 

[shift1313]

broncos have no limitations stock mine never got stuck /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

what year/motor bronco do you have? also what interior do you have. Im not 100% sure but i think ive read some motors are balance with the flywheel, some arnt. this may become an issue for you depending on the motor. as far as trannys there are lots of options out there and if you do your homework before hand it should be straight forward for any shop to do. i mean if you were having a clutch put in they would have to pull the tranny/cross member anyway so really its just a matter of having the pedal assembly, tranny tunnel plate and making sure anything that went along with your auto is taken care of. IE a later model FI truck ecu might have some provisions for the auto like ac control(for idle), cruise etc.

lucky for you i think going auto to manual is easier than the other way around.