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79 bronco

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 5:27 pm
by BIG Z DUDE
I have a chance to get a 79 bronco. I have a 84 bronco II 4x4 2.8 5 speed and want to put the drive train in it. one prblem is the 79 has a 400 with an auto trans. will the 400 fit or shuld I trade it for a 302. allso is there a 5 speed for a 302 or 400?

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 5:47 pm
by Nobody
Dbrown and Fatman both put a bronco II body on a fullsize bronco frame. I don't think they were happy though, as they both moved on to new rigs.

The 400ci isn't going to fit in the BII....I'm sure you can make it work, but I don't think it would be that practical. I would definately trade for 302, or even a 351W.

The auto trans won't bolt up to the small blocks either. You might want to hang on to the NP205 transfercase though....if that's what it has.

Ford did use a couple 5 speeds. The ZF-5 is pretty popular. Haven't heard of one in a BII yet though.

There's also a T-5, but the gearing sucks, and they really aren't that strong. The transfercase adapter will kill you too.

You can swap in the axles. I prefer to narrow them, but quite a few guys run them full width.

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 5:52 pm
by BIG Z DUDE
I intend to swap the axles to but was just wondering if the 400 would work. allso do you think I could trade the 400 and the auto trany for a 302 and a 4 speed the 400 runs and has good compreshin the trany in brand new and has less than 200 miles on it.

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 5:55 pm
by Nobody
I think trading might be kind of hard, but I'm sure there's a fullsize bronco/f-150 owner out there that would probably buy your engine/tranny. Finding a 302 should be pretty easy.

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:37 am
by DBrown
I was happy with how my swap came out but it just didn't meet my long term goals.......packing a baby around in a chop top rig just isn't that safe. that and I had an oppertunity to jump on a Early Bronco.

fitting the 400 in a BII frame will be hard. if you post it over on www.fullsizebronco.com you might get it sold along with that tranny. I agree that you should probably go with a 302 or 351W. the NP435 is the most popular swap for a manual tranny because of the low first gear but this tranny doesn't have overdrive. I plan to go with a 302/NP435/205 for my next trail truck. my next truck will also keep its top.