advanced adapters

[Viperwolf1]

do you think the truck converter would be a better choice for off roading?

With a torquey engine (not a stock 5.0) the truck converter would probably work better and run cooler in technical stuff.

 

[broncodriver99]

broncodriver99 that is a great comparison, my only question is how do you know if you're getting the new or old version. I'm sure I'll just go to jeffs since it will save on shipping costs, but their description doesn't say anything about a newer version.

You would have to call the vendor specifically and ask if their kit uses the adapter ring. The AA kit number doesn't always translate through our vendors.

My understanding is this:

original AOD type kit(option #1) is AA 50-2704E
ZF kit(option #2) is AA 50-4303
newer 4R70W kit(option #3) is AA 50-2704A

 

[broncodriver99]

Thanks for the explanation, definitely helps. My confusions stems from some of the comments about the main shaft and which one is better. I have read that the original 4R70W one is stronger than the replacement one, I have no idea if this is true or if it would really matter unless I was putting out major horsepower. Also if any of the three options uses a crossmember in the original location or if all of them require it to be moved back.

All of them will require crossmember modification. I believe option #1 can barely be squeezed in without relocating or lengthening the crossmember mounting brackets. Option #3 will require either relocating or extending the crossmember mounting brackets.

Option #2 will require the fabrication of a crossmember.

 

[broncodriver99]

I will try to keep my post updated as more info and definitive measurements become available.

Does anyone know the part number of the seal needed for the ZF adapter option?

I would like to add it to my post so the info is readily available.

 

[mattt]

X2 Those measurements would help tremendously.

Thanks mattt.

Two Thumbs Up for that post ;D

 

[mattt]

What is confusing you? Maybe it can be better explained.

There are now 3 options.

Option #1. The original AOD type kit. It comes with a new intermediate housing and transmission output shaft as well as a shorter spud shaft and bearing housing for the tcase. This will be the shortest setup. This can be used on any 4R70W transmission. The transmission will have to be disassembled and the new shaft installed. This setup will also require the AA 716057 oil hole plug kit to be installed as the 4R70W does not have a governor like the AOD that the shaft in this kit was designed for.

Option #2. The ZF kit which is a clocking ring and shorter spud shaft with a bearing housing. This kit uses the factory 4R70W transmission shaft that must be trimmed to work. This can only be used on an AWD/4WD transmission as it adapts the factory 4R70W extension housing to the D20 pattern. This kit requires that a seal be sourced that is not included with the ZF kit but is necessary for the 4R70W.

Option #3. This is the newest of the options. This kit uses the older option #1 intermediate housing with the clocking ring of the ZF kit as well as a shorter spud shaft and bearing housing. This kit uses the factory 4R70W shaft that must be trimmed to work. I believe this will only work on AWD/4WD transmissions. This kit replaces the original Ford extension housing with the AA one. I believe this is slightly shorter than option #2.

I am not sure which of option #2 or #3 is shorter(hopefully lagbolt will provide a measurement so it can be verified), but both will be longer than the original option #1 kit.

Just for clarification an intermediate housing and extension housing are basically the same thing. For the purpose of the Bronco setup either term can be used. Just in case the verbage was confusing anyone.

To help clear up some of the confusion that some are having, I thought I'd add a picture that's worth 1000 words in most cases....

Option 1 looks like this....

Option 2 looks like this....

Option 3 looks like this.....

Notice that option 1 is the only one with a new output shaft pictured as part of the kit. That was the only kit that was originally offered back in the day. It is the kit that is used to convert a 2wd trans for Bronco D20 use.

 

[fummins97]

alright, I am choosing option 2 with the zf adapter. Seems the easiest, I have a j-shift twin stick already so hoping it will be easy to modify to work. Still curious about the seal that prevents the fluid fill to the t-case. Anyone that has done this option have anything to add or good pictures of assembly since the directions will be useless?

 

[lagbolt]

Read this regarding the seal for the zf adapter.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2560021

 

[lagbolt]

4r70w extension housing measurement is 6 and 7/16.

 

[lagbolt]

It was kind of hard to get a dead on measurement under the truck for the (option 3) measurements. But hopefully this will help people out in the future. I know when I started my swap I could have used a lot of this info.

1. 4r70w transmission only. 21 and a1/4 inches.


2. 4r70w and AA adapter 27 and a 1/4 inches.


3. Bell housing to the end of the dana20 39 and a 7/8 inches



4. AA Extension housing only 6 inches.



Thanks Tom

 

[broncodriver99]

Thanks for the measurements Tom.

So it appears the new option #3 kit is about 7/16" shorter than using the ZF adapter and allows you to use the stock Bronco crossmember with modification.

I will get my post updated.

 

[76Bronco302]

Thanks for all the info. It really helped me. Since I have a 2wd trans option 1 is my only option?

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the measurements Tom.

So it appears the new option #3 kit is about 7/16" shorter than using the ZF adapter and allows you to use the stock Bronco crossmember with modification.

I will get my post updated.

Yes, thank you lagbolt for those dimensions! They clear up a lot of questions about the new kit and it's overall length.

A few things I picked up and/or confirmed by comparing your dimensions to mine.

The 4R70W is 3/4" longer than an AOD as confirmed by your 21 1/4" in comparison to the 20.5" of my AOD.

Option 3 appears to be 28" to the Dana 20 mounting surface? I see you called out 27 1/4" to the end of the AA adapter housing, but I'm talking to the D20 mounting surface at the face of the clocking ring. 4R70W/AA adapter/Clocking ring.....so if the 28" I see is correct, Option 3 is only .75" longer than Option 1. I would think that clocking ring is thicker than .75" though?

Thanks for the measurement on the factory adapter housing. So it is longer by 7/16" than the AA adapter housing and the factory adapter housing has no provisions for using the stock Bronco crossmember. For those reasons, I would go with Option 3 over Option 2 since it is shorter, and it can be made to work with a Bronco crossmember that is minorly modified.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

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.

My kit came from Jeffs, only thing I had to cut was the crossmember. If you look at the last 2 or 3 pages of my build you can see what I did.

Edit: Page 23 of my build for future reference.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

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.....

Check out my build, last 3 pages or so is when I did the trans. I measured dimensions from the front of the bell housing on my stock 3 spd to the mount holes and the same on the new setup.

Edit: Page 23 of my build for future reference.

 

[lagbolt]

Matt

I took two more pictures for you.

1. The clocking ring thickness. 1 3/8".


2. From bell housing to mating surface of the Dana 20 is 28 1/2"



Tom

 

[broncodriver99]

Yes, thank you lagbolt for those dimensions! They clear up a lot of questions about the new kit and it's overall length.

A few things I picked up and/or confirmed by comparing your dimensions to mine.

The 4R70W is 3/4" longer than an AOD as confirmed by your 21 1/4" in comparison to the 20.5" of my AOD.

Option 3 appears to be 28" to the Dana 20 mounting surface? I see you called out 27 1/4" to the end of the AA adapter housing, but I'm talking to the D20 mounting surface at the face of the clocking ring. 4R70W/AA adapter/Clocking ring.....so if the 28" I see is correct, Option 3 is only .75" longer than Option 1. I would think that clocking ring is thicker than .75" though?

Thanks for the measurement on the factory adapter housing. So it is longer by 7/16" than the AA adapter housing and the factory adapter housing has no provisions for using the stock Bronco crossmember. For those reasons, I would go with Option 3 over Option 2 since it is shorter, and it can be made to work with a Bronco crossmember that is minorly modified.

Mattt The AA clocking ring is 1.4" per AA. I updated my post with the lengths.

Original AOD type kit(option #1) is 27-1/4"
ZF kit(option #2) is 29-1/16"
New 4R70W kit(option #3) is 28-5/8"

 

[broncodriver99]

Thanks for all the info. It really helped me. Since I have a 2wd trans option 1 is my only option?

Yes it is.

 

[mattt]

Sweet...Thanks lagbolt! This turned into a good thread with a lot of useful info.

All of the above #'s are based on a 4R70W, for AOD assembly dimensions, just subtract 3/4" from the overall length.

The links I posted on page 2 are the best detailed 3 pics I've found online that show how to cut and section the stock Bronco crossmember

 

[fummins97]

My kit came from Jeffs, only thing I had to cut was the crossmember. If you look at the last 2 or 3 pages of my build you can see what I did.

thanks for the link! Seems this thread will help more then just me lol. Thanks all for the help, starting teardown of the explorer tomorrow. Probably take a trip to Jeffs on Monday.