advanced adapters

fummins97 · Feb 23, 2015

I want to order the adapter for 4R70W to dana 20 this week, read every post I can, just need a clear answer please. Which adapter?? Use the zf5 adapter or pay 2 times that price and get the actual 4r70w adapter? Is the zf5 adapter come with everything, I've read something about a seal or snapring that might need to be purchased. I realize there might be some crossmember fab needed for it, but if I can save some cash that is no problem. Nervous to call vendors because I would think they would just want me to buy the most expensive. Thanks

broncodriver99 · Feb 23, 2015

What trans do you have? The actual older AOD/4R70W adapter requires a disassemble of the tranny to install a new output shaft. It is just a question of which route you want to go. But, if you have a 2wd trans you only have one choice. An AWD trans and you can do either.

fummins97 · Feb 23, 2015

sorry, I have a 98 awd version. I just want simple lol. I am trying to speed build this through to be able to drive it to jeffs in may.

broncodriver99 · Feb 23, 2015

You can go either route then. My understanding of using the ZF kit is there is a seal that needs to be sourced but there should be a part number floating around in one of those threads. The ZF kit will make the overall setup longer so driveshaft work will most likely be necessary.

I personally think the older 4R70W kit is a better setup and will ultimately require less fab work.

EricLar80 · Feb 23, 2015

I wanted the rear driveshaft to be at as shallow of an angle as possible, I went with the traditional adapter. The further you push the transfer case back, the steeper and shorter the rear driveshaft is, so the ZF options was less interesting to me.

Eric

fummins97 · Feb 23, 2015

okay that's the seal I was thinking. Eric I have a 3.5" lift on also, so that is a good point. Well thank you both for your input, think I'll just do the 4r70w kit. Thanks!

lagbolt · Feb 23, 2015

Both the zf adapter and the old AOD adapter will push the crossmember back causing drive shaft work. Wild horses sells the new adapter with the zf ring, that way disassemble of the transmission is not necessary. The zf is a dry extension housing and the AOD is a wet extension housing. Meaning when using a zf adapter on a AOD a sourced seal will be required.

When I did my swap I used the new wild horses adapter 50-2704a which retains the trans main shaft. I have a 3.5 lift on my bronco which would cause drive shaft work. So what I did with the stock drive shafts was swapped the slip yokes from front to back. Making the drive shafts fit perfect.

Tom

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Pa PITT · Feb 23, 2015

Lagbolt are you saying that by using the new 50-2704A. YOU'LL TAKE OFF a couple inches in length .. Thus making for no Drive shaft work.
... No drive shaft work money saved there might just pay for part of the adapter.
... I think the cheapest drive shaft work I've had done was about $125.00 & Running Buddy just spent $375.00 on one ..

lagbolt · Feb 23, 2015

No all the adapters will add inches to your drive tran, causing drive shaft work. But how I was able to get by was swapping the slip yokes from front to back. I'm running a hp44 up front and a 3.5" lift. The slip yoke on the stock front drive shaft was shorter then the back stock slip yoke. So, just swapped them out. Both of the stock slip yokes had the same amount of travel.

Tom

EricLar80 · Feb 23, 2015

lagbolt said:
No all the adapters will add inches to your drive tran, causing drive shaft work.

Correct.

The 4r70w is also a little longer than the c4, so that adds length to the system as well.

Eric

Pa PITT · Feb 24, 2015

... OK YEARS AGO when me or Running Buddy both did our NP435 SWAPS we swapped out the yoke on mine I thing and I did not drive shaft work. .

fummins97 · Feb 25, 2015

lagbolt, http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Ford_AOD_to_Dana20_Adapter is this the one you bought? They don't have the AA numbers listed. By using this adapter, do I only need to trim the shaft on the trans? No disassembly? Where did you get that seal from?

englewoodcowboy · Feb 25, 2015

I just did an AA AOD to D20 and they have changed the adapter according to AA. The overall length changes now only 1/2" or so and according to them you keep your stock crossmember location, you just have to clearance it and you keep your stock drive shaft length. I went ahead and made a set of frame brackets to move it back 1.5" and sourced another set of stock so when I get my motor done and I can set the assembly in the frame I have both options. Unfortunately I am several weeks out on that but by my measurements from my 3spd bell housing flange to the new adapter crossmember mounts they are within 3/8" of stock.

Broncobowsher · Feb 25, 2015

Pa PITT said:
... OK YEARS AGO when me or Running Buddy both did our NP435 SWAPS we swapped out the yoke on mine I thing and I did not drive shaft work. .

435s should not require and driveshaft work.
Swapping yokes will usually push the driveshaft out of balance. They are factory balanced as a unit. Unless you are having the yokes balanced separate from the shaft.

fummins97 · Feb 25, 2015

englewoodcowboy said:
I just did an AA AOD to D20 and they have changed the adapter according to AA. The overall length changes now only 1/2" or so and according to them you keep your stock crossmember location, you just have to clearance it and you keep your stock drive shaft length. I went ahead and made a set of frame brackets to move it back 1.5" and sourced another set of stock so when I get my motor done and I can set the assembly in the frame I have both options. Unfortunately I am several weeks out on that but by my measurements from my 3spd bell housing flange to the new adapter crossmember mounts they are within 3/8" of stock.

good to know, thanks! How do you know if your buying the new version or not? And do you know if you still have to cut the main shaft from the trans? Jeffs is close so I will call them but I want to make sure what I'm buying.

lagbolt · Feb 25, 2015

Fummins97.
Yes that is the kit I bought. Wild horses is the only one that sells that kit. You will know If its the new wild horses kit when it has the zf ring adapter included. No sourced seal need with this kit.

Yes, swapping yokes will unbalance your drive shafts. But getting them balanced is a lot cheaper then having them shortened and then balanced.

I used the new AA adapter 50-2704a and it added a lot more then a 1/2 inch. It added 3 1/4 inches and did not retain the stock crossmember position. I had to move the crossmember back 2 inches. I also had to cut a 1 1/4 inches off of the transmissions main shaft. Leaving 2 inches of splines on main shaft left.

I just did this install. If measurement are needed let me know?

Tom

fummins97 · Feb 25, 2015

alright thanks for the added info.

lagbolt · Feb 25, 2015

Another nice thing about this adapter vs the old 50-2704 is that the stock 4r70w main shaft has more splines, making it strong then the swapped AA shaft.

mattt · Feb 25, 2015

englewoodcowboy said:
I just did an AA AOD to D20 and they have changed the adapter according to AA. The overall length changes now only 1/2" or so and according to them you keep your stock crossmember location, you just have to clearance it and you keep your stock drive shaft length. I went ahead and made a set of frame brackets to move it back 1.5" and sourced another set of stock so when I get my motor done and I can set the assembly in the frame I have both options. Unfortunately I am several weeks out on that but by my measurements from my 3spd bell housing flange to the new adapter crossmember mounts they are within 3/8" of stock.

Interesting. Do you have any pics of the kit you used? I'd be interested to see what has changed in the adapter.

In the past, AA had incorrect info on their site and in the instruction sheet, that their AOD--->D20 adapter kit was the same length as a V8 stock Bronco drivetrain. That is flatly incorrect. With the original kit, the AOD/AA/D20 is 1.5" longer than a stock V8 Bronco drivetrain.

It is nice to hear that they may have possibly shortened everything up, but I'd like to see pics of what has changed. Perhaps the alum. adapter housing has been shortened.....

76Bronco302 · Feb 25, 2015

Interested in this as well as I'm using a 2wd 4r70w and am not sure which adapter would be easiest for my set up.

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