Are there any 4 or 5 speed options for 6cyl.?

[Moonunit]

Ive got the straight six with a fair amount of money and work into it, I was wondering if anyone knew of a tranny that would mate up to it thats 4 speed?

 

[bmbm]

trans

Do you have a 200 or 250? If 250 any trans that works on sbf should fit. If 200 maybe not one with suitable gear ratios for a Bronco onless you have an 80-83 200 which may be able to be modified to accept sbf transmissions. Go to fordsix.com for further information besides many of the members on here.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Any transmission swap that uses the original Ford bellhousing should work. This would include a top loader 4-speed, NP435, and there are discusions of using an NV3550 5-speed behind the I6. There probably are a few other options as well. The 60's and 70's (even some of the 80's) fords may have different bellhousing to engine bolt patterns, but the bellhousing to transmission was very common.

Now if you have a late model I6 with the "big bell" that has a V8 bolt pattern, even easier.

One thing that you will have to pay attention to. The length will be longer then with a V8. Since all the swaps are based on the V8, that is what all the measurements are based off of. The I6 is a longer, narrower engine then the V8. This places the bellhousing about 3" further back then a comperable V8. Stock configuration this is taken up with a shorter transmission to transfer case adaptor then what a V8 would use. But since you will be using adaptors based on V8 engines, it will simply move the transfer case back about another 3". Just plan for that seperatly from the typical V8 swap reference material.

 

[broncnaz]

another thing to consider is that 6cly broncos are very underpowered so adding a OD type tranny is not very useful you'll be shifting all the time to keep it in the power band. Thats why they came with 4.11 gearing stock and 4.56 as a option. OD tranny's usually require regearing the axles. All in all if your looking for better hiway speed both a V8 and tranny swap would be your best bet. IMO

 

[Moonunit]

Sounds like solid advice. Thanks guys! Its got a 200ci now, with the stock 3 speed. So with the six being a longer block, will that make the shifter further back, or could that space be made up with shorter adapters etc.? I've got little experience with transmissions, and this is the last major thing I plan on doing for a while.

 

[Moonunit]

under powered

Ya, ive thought about that believe me, and i would love to get it switched out to a v8 sometime soon. but in the mean time, and i mean for the next 5 or so years until im out of school and hopefully have a real job, I was hoping to beef up this little six with modified log intake, bigger carb and headers. to hopefully compensate for the lower hp.

 

[broncnaz]

while the shifters do move location due to the extended lenght your kinda stuck with using the V8 adapters for tranny swaps. shorter adapters are just not out there for most setups you would also have to move the crossmember or make a new one and shorten/lenghten driveshafts to do the swap then if you go to a V8 you'd have to move everthing back.
All in all I'd probably just leave the tranny as is for now do your little beef ups on the engine and plan out a V8 and tranny swap. If you form a plan you could start collecting parts when you see them for dirt cheap.

 

[Moonunit]

Underpowered

Thanks broncnaz, that's probably the best bet. Just getting the itch to swap to v8 I guess. Being a student im looking at a budget of blood and sweat only