AOD choices for 351W/C4/D20 76EB

[TrdrScott]

Hi gang. I'm looking to upgrade my tranny on my 76 Bronco. I currently run a new Ford Racing 351W crate engine with the stock C4 and Dana 20. I've read tons of threads on the issue, but I am still pretty confused.

1. I'm not a gearhead and I live in NJ - ergo, not many EB's up here and not many ppl who know how to work on them
2. I'm interested in the most cost efficient, reliable tranny/trans combo for my new engine that is used 90% ON road.
3. Bear in mind, I'm in NJ where not everyone knows that tab A goes into slot B when it comes to an early Bronco - so local "help" is limited.

With that in mind -

Would my new "husky" 351 be best paired with:
1. AOD to D20 with conversion kit
2. AODE to D20 with conversion kit
3. 4R70W to NP205
4. Either AOD or AODE to NP205

Also, and more importantly - where would I find the AOD/AODE/4R70W and the NP205?

Last but certainly not least - Can anyone recommend someone in the NYC/NJ are that does installs/modifications?

Thanks

Scott

 

[Broncobowsher]

Here is a good link regarding the AOD(E)/4R70W
http://www.becontrols.com/ourfaqs/index.htm
All kinds of info ranging from setting up the TV cable to internial improvments. I would rather not just tell you what to run, but inform you and let you make your own choice.

My 4R70W (with a valve body kit) has lived years behind a nicely built and strong running 351W. I also have the exact same trans behind a stroked 330" 5.0. Although set up the same, the engines are built very differently (torque vs. HP). The have different shift needs and it was all done with some programming in a lazy day. The 351 doesn't like the late shifts at low speeds, it has the torque to pull it. The 302 doesn't like to be short shifted and hates early convertor lock up. So a few easy to understand numbers were changed and now both transmissions are matched to the engine and cam.

As for the transfer case, I could and have recomended both ways. With a 4WD/AWD transmission the 205 is an affordable way to go. The D20 doesn't care if the trans was origonally a 2 or 4WD. IT has the parts needed to adapt either. But that requires a whole trans disassambly. Now you are spending money on adapters, labor, and hoping they put it together right.

As for finding the 4R70W, best choices are the '96-'01 Explorer 5.0 V8 (not any of the 6 cylinders and not the 4.6 from newer ones). The '98 and up are the best. Another option would be the '97 and newer 4.2L V6 F150, but I don't think you could get those with 4WD, but I could be wrong about the 4WD part.

NP205 would be from a mid to late 70's Ford truck. 4 positions on the shift knob, not 5

As for local help, I am almost as far away as possible.

 

[kps74 bronco]

Hello,There are more eb owners in the jersey area than you think!If you need any help just let use know.Where in jersey are you? There are a few shops around that work on trucks but none that I would bring my vehicle to.I can pm two places not to go,in the south jersey area !!!! Ken

 

[meckanik]

I'll throw some more options out there:

I think that if you are going to have someone else do the work it would be good to keep it as close to stock as possible (unless there is a kick-ass shop that can do fab work and handle programming the after-market transmission controller).

You can get a rebuilt AOD with 4R70W parts that uses a non-lockup converter. No electronics are needed and you get the stronger 4R70W internals (link here). If you combined this with a D20 adapter you would be able to use your stock cross member. A transmission output shaft is part of the adapter kit and is the first thing that gets installed in the case (requiring a full tear down) but personally I wouldn't bother installing a automatic without a rebuild first and the builder can use your output shaft usually for no additional charge.

Roughly speaking you are going to spend:
~$2K outright for a performance built 4R70W & converter + ~$600 for the controller and harness
~$2.2K for a AOD w/ 4R70W internals & converter
~$450 for a AOD to D20 adapter

Plus install labor, modifying your drive shafts, adding trans cooler (+fan?) and other misc items.

I'm working on this right now and went over the same questions. I went with a 4R70W and a Stak transfer case. Cha-ching!

Good luck with your project.

-Jeff

 

[bronco italiano]

Best cost/performance ratio would be a quality built AOD to NP205 (get the 4x4 trans and no adapter needed. Get the manual valve body so no issues on or off-road with shifting. The NP 205 is super tough. But the AOD must be built by a very knowledgeable shop so all the little kinks that it came with from the factory are worked out. You'll like it. BI

 

[Broncobowsher]

If you shop around you can find late model low mile 4R70W for reasonable, that doesn't require a rebuild. Several will even offer a warranty on the used parts. I have no issues with that.

The stock crossmember won't work even with the AOD/D20, it still must be modified for clearance. Same thing (same adaptor) if you run the 4R70W/D20.

Since you are looking at farming the work out, it is best to find a shop that can understand the specifics of what you want.

And beware that when you do a manual valve body, you loose the automatic shift in the automatic.

The stock trans with a valve body kit should live just fine behind your upcoming 351.

 

[ctowery]

Heres my opinion, I have a Art Carr AOD and would highly recommend one but for one drawback, its the valve body of all AOD's...they suck, they will not stay in gear and will not lockout OD. Only way to cure this is with a Lentech VB with lockout. Art Carr can't give you one. So knowing this now the only AOD I would get is a Lentech with their VB and with the lowest stall TQ they can build.

http://www.lentechautomatics.com/index2.htm

Transfercase...I am biased as I am a dealer, if you want a bomb proof TC just get a STak 2 or 3 speed and call it a day.

Cary

 

[DonsBolt]

I can't tell you where to go for a transmision, but I can tell you to stay away from Level 10 in Northern Jersey

 

[TrdrScott]

Currenly eyeballing a High Impact AOD tranny kit:
AOD into Early Bronco Kit Total-> $2,323.88

1 "Bad Boy" AOD Transmission (Bolt up to Ford 302/351W) Incl $1,875.00 $1,875.00

1 AOD to Bronco Dana 20 Tcase: $448.88

Other items I was told I might need:

Lokar Stainless Dipstick & Tube $74.61
Lokar adjustable TV (kickdown) Cable $67.44
(Optional) Tranny Cooler $75.00
(Optional) Tranny Temp Gauge kit $75.00
(Optional) Lokar Floor Shifter $224.61

Cha ching..... Am I missing something? Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[lonesouth]

How much is reasonable for a 4r70w? How hard is it to rebuild? I only just realized i can grab one from the mountaineer i'm getting the serpentine from.

 

[Broncobowsher]

$500 Late model 4WD Explorer 4R70W (with dipstick and harness)
$100 NP205
$425 trans computer
$50 for TPS for carb
$150 for custom crossmember

Sounds a lot better then $2k

Other stuff you will need no mater which way you go
Driveshaft work, shifter, etc.

 

[COBlu77]

I'm in the middle of a 4R70W/NP205 conversion right now. I think the costs for salvage stuff varies from region to region, but in NJ, there ought to be plenty. In Denver a 63k Mountaneer tranny cost me $300 off of Craigs list and the NP205 was $125 (but I had to pull it). Most salvage yards (not pick-n-pull) wanted $800 for a 4R70W and $200 for the NP205, plus core charges. I just bought the BE Controls computer and harness for $550 and the valve body kit for $115. So far I'm very impressed with BE Controls. Their valve body upgrade has to have the best instructions, I've ever received!

 

[Broncobowsher]

...So far I'm very impressed with BE Controls. Their valve body upgrade has to have the best instructions, I've ever received!

I really like the instructions as well. I have done other valve body kits that were A or B, Heavy duty or race. The Bauman kit has up to 5 levels for some curcits, each one is described, what it does, why you want each setting. Little lines like "level 5 is only good for special race conditions or punishing your friends" My 1-2 shift is a little firm, but the instructions are good enough that I know exactly what should be done to what part to adjust that shift without affecting anything else.

 

[blakerj10]

Why does everybody say to get the 4R70W out of a explorer/mountainer? Any reason I should not pick up on from a 95 F150 4x4? The price is right if it would work.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I think the '95 is still the AODE without the wide gear set. '97 and up F150 with a V6 is another source as are mustangs of the same vintage. Just not the Mod V8.

 

[lonesouth]

All i need is the tranny and bellhousing from the donor? no electronics or anything else? Should i get the torque converter?

 

[meckanik]

Why does everybody say to get the 4R70W out of a explorer/mountainer? Any reason I should not pick up on from a 95 F150 4x4? The price is right if it would work.

According to car-part.com a '95 F150 could have a AODE-W/4R70W (same thing) or a E4OD. I don't believe a E4OD is going to fit in an EB. If you can figure out how to ID the cases you might be able to score. Keep in mind you need a 4x4 transmission or you will have to source a output shaft and a trans adapter housing.

-Jeff

 

[blakerj10]

Thanks... I forgot about the E40D being in some. I have not seen it in person, and the guy said it looked like an AOD. It is a 4x4 model and the T-case goes with it.

Lonesouth, I would definately get the torque converter if it is there.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Grab the harness and dipstick as well

Measure the tranny pan length
20" E4OD
14" AOD(E)-W/4R70W

 

[lonesouth]

How much of the harness? Is it going to be easy to figure out what to get? Will it put up a fight if i try to remove it?