• Welcome to ClassicBroncos! - You are currently viewing the forums as a GUEST. To take advantage of all the site features, please take a moment to register. It's fast, simple and absolutely free. So please join our community today!
    If you have problems registering or can't log into your account, please contact Admin.

5 speed Transmission reccomendations

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
So I am currently building a 302 for my 66 bronco and it should make right around 400 horsepower. With that being said the stock 3 speed isn't gonna cut it for me and I'd like o put in a 5 speed. I dont plan on doing any offroading with the truck and plan on driving regularly. What 5 speed do you guys recommend for my application with the least amount of modifications as possible to the drivetrain?
 

Timmy390

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
5,946
Loc.
Conway, AR
M5odr2 for the win.... well it was a win for me :)

I fab'd my own crossmember but BC sells on if you can get them to answer the phone.

Hydraulic clutch requires using speedo cable hole (enlarged) and drilling a new rod hole in clutch pedal.

Driveshafts need modified. Rear shortened, front lengthend.

Twin sticks but I think that's with any trans upgrade.

D20 adaptor to the trans.

New hole in trans tunnel for shifter.

Love mine and no issues pounding the streets with a warmed up 351w.

AX15 would be my second choice.

Tim
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,066
The 3-speed is stronger than you are giving it credit for. It won't even flinch at that little power.

But a 5-speed is still a desirable upgrade. At this point you have to ask what 5-speed you want. If you are looking for a wide ratio, Granny with overdrive, think stock 3-speed but an extra granny 1st and overdrive. ZF is your choice. But if you are after a more car like experience, the M5R2 is a good choice. Either (if you get the right one) will bolt straight to the new engine and only a simple adapter is needed for the transfer case.

With that out of the way, what size tires are you running (or going to run)? And what axle ratio are you running (or going to run)? Because if you get the axle gearing wrong for the tire size, driving your new engine and transmission will suck. That 400 HP can feel like 150 HP if you get it wrong.
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
I have 32s on the bronco right now but plan on changing them out for some 35s later down the line and for gearing its whatever came stock right now im not sure what it is I'd really like a more "car" feel to the bronco as I plan on dailying it
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
M5odr2 for the win.... well it was a win for me :)

I fab'd my own crossmember but BC sells on if you can get them to answer the phone.

Hydraulic clutch requires using speedo cable hole (enlarged) and drilling a new rod hole in clutch pedal.

Driveshafts need modified. Rear shortened, front lengthend.

Twin sticks but I think that's with any trans upgrade.

D20 adaptor to the trans.

New hole in trans tunnel for shifter.

Love mine and no issues pounding the streets with a warmed up 351w.

AX15 would be my second choice.

Tim
What kinda gears are you running? And how is it doing highway speeds?
 

Timmy390

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
5,946
Loc.
Conway, AR
What kinda gears are you running? And how is it doing highway speeds?
I bet your 32' measure out at 31's. :) my 32's did.

I run 4.11's with 33's and think its dead nut good to go with the M5odR2 and I suggest 4.11's with 33's but you could go 4.30's. With 35's you will need 4.56 or 4.88's.

How's that 400hp 302 built? Torque cam or high rpm mustang cam? It matters IMO. The Bronco needs the low torque. Lots of torque everywhere

Tim
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
I bet your 32' measure out at 31's. :) my 32's did.

I run 4.11's with 33's and think its dead nut good to go with the M5odR2 and I suggest 4.11's with 33's but you could go 4.30's. With 35's you will need 4.56 or 4.88's.

How's that 400hp 302 built? Torque cam or high rpm mustang cam? It matters IMO. The Bronco needs the low torque. Lots of torque everywhere

Tim
I have a set of axles with 4.56 gears in them so I might just use those and I am putting a trick flow track max cam in it. This is the first 302 I've built but I was talking to a guy who builds them and said he reccomendations it for my application
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
Also the tires are supposed to be 33s but measured out to 32s
 

Timmy390

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
5,946
Loc.
Conway, AR
The trick flow track max cam comes in 5 flavors. The smallest has an power band of 2000-5500 and that's the only one I would even consider using.

Tim
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
The trick flow track max cam comes in 5 flavors. The smallest has an power band of 2000-5500 and that's the only one I would even consider using.

Tim
The one im going to be running is 2500 to 6000 rpm
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
Too late to rethink this?
I haven't installed it yet so no what do you guys reccomend instead I am going to be running retro fit roller lifter with afr enforcer heads and the engine is bored 30 over
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,066
Smaller cam, lower RPM band. Being a stick shift, even more so.
Your mind is on HP. But what makes things fun is torque. Blip the throttle, tosses you back. That's torque. The ability to just idle and drive through traffic.
The cam you have picked already is one that is fun in a mustang on a drag strip that is just drivable enough to drive to and from the track.
 

ntsqd

heratic car camper
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
5,953
Loc.
Upper SoKA
I've put 125k+ miles on a trans very, very similar to the AX15. Always impressed me how much it shifted like a Sports Car trans. If you dig into what the AX15 is, you'll find that it is a close cousin to the Aisin R-15X series trans, which is the trans used in the manual Supras and the turbo Toyota Mini's & 4rnnrs.
 

73azbronco

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
8,778
nv4500 for the kill. OK, maybe not this decade, but love mine.

Try swapping drive shaft front to rear, thats what I did, works great.
 
OP
OP
Wootang

Wootang

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2025
Messages
13
Well its looking like ax15 is the way to go lots of info on them and cheap and easy to find ill put a smaller cam in for more low end torque and 4:56 gears to help with the 35 inch tires thanks for the help guys
 
Top