NV3550 vs. ZF?

rjcruz27 · Jan 15, 2021

Mainly road driving. 2.5 inch lift and 1” body. with explorer 5.0. Which do you guys think is better for someone to install with not a lot of mechanical experience!?!?

Broncobowsher · Jan 15, 2021

NV3550/AX15/M5R2 = modern car driving experience
ZF/NV4500 = driving an old truck with a good transmission. It is still your old 3-speed but adds a really low 1st gear and an overdrive.

From the "mainly road driving" comment, of those two choices, NV3550 is the better choice. The AX15 is just about the same and apparently has better parts supply these days. The Mazda is easier to bolt to the engine, less adaptors, '97 to '03(?) 4.2 V6 F150 has a better shifter location for a Bronco. If you open your selection a little bit, I will recommend the Mazda M5R2 over what you offered.

hammer189 · Jan 15, 2021

I have same truck/motor combo with nv3550. Great transmission. Doing again I would go with ax15 or m5r2 trans. They are both still being produced. Will get harder to. Source parts for nv3550 going forward.
Up to 33” tires I would go with 4.11 gears.
David

sprdv1 · Jan 15, 2021

NV3550 for sure work well in both applications

bigmuddy · Jan 21, 2021

I like the ZF if for know other reasons they are damn near bullet proof behind a small block. These are trannies they used behind the diesel engines after all.

The three speed was never an issue for me around town and then boom you have overdrive when you want it. With the low 1st gear I never needed anything more.

I have 35's, 4.56 gears and the dana 20, worked great on road and off road.

After as ease of installation, I would think they are comparable on an install bases. But I haven't done the NV3550

Timmy390 · Jan 21, 2021

Broncobowsher said:
The Mazda is easier to bolt to the engine, less adaptors, '97 to '03(?) 4.2 V6 F150 has a better shifter location for a Bronco. If you open your selection a little bit, I will recommend the Mazda M5R2 over what you offered.

I got one under my work table waiting to be installed.......Time and money.....I need more of both

Tim

txtruk15 · Jan 21, 2021

the NV3550 bolts up nicely and fits well behind the 5.0. plus it's only 95 lbs. Mate it with the B&M short shifter and you have a car driving feel.

nvrstuk · Jan 21, 2021

What Broncobowsher and everyone else said... I drove a ZF for 12 yrs... VERY familiar with how it handles...

NV3550 vs. ZF?

rjcruz27

Sr. Member

Broncobowsher

Total hack

hammer189

Full Member

sprdv1

REBEL

bigmuddy

Bronco Guru

Timmy390

Bronco Guru

txtruk15

Sr. Member

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nvrstuk

Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!

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