More than I can handle!

[clintOK]

This bronco is getting to be more than I can handle! Got tired of the sloppy old paint so I took it to a local place near where I live to get a paint job. Not a big deal, a color change but it was fairly straight and rust free. That turned into a mess because of delays and a general lack of understanding of the scope of that project (but it looks great!). Got it home this spring after being there for 18 months. Did a little bit of wiring under the dash for a few things that weren’t connected right (stock harness that’s a rats nest). Then it wouldn’t start! Cranked and had gas but finally just yanked out the old distributor and went with a duraspark system. Got it to start and run right, took it for a spin and the AOD transmission won’t shift out of second gear!!! I didn't mess with the transmission at all so I don’t understand what’s going on. It’s now on a trailer headed to a trans shop in Wichita to see what’s wrong. If the AOD is shot I really want to bite the bullet and convert it to a manual transmission probably ax15 or NV3550. What’s your thoughts on the cost of that? I don’t have the time or patience to do it myself so it will have to be outsourced. If I go that route do I go ahead and put an atlas II in it as well? The d-20 has always given me fits when trying to shift into 4x4 low or high.

 

[SteveL]

If you do swap the tranny the aod setup should be worth something for the dana 20 adapter and crossmember. Possibly the driveshafts too.

 

[okie4570]

Dang sorry to hear! If you're ever at a point where you need an extra hand let me know I'm less than an hour away.

 

[sanndmann3]

Hang in there, it will get better. bad luck runs in 3s so get thru this and you will be on easy-street.

 

[Allen_69]

If you're not doing the work. It will be cheaper to take it to a transmission shop and just get it rebuilt.

 

[jedblake]

Stay positive Clint. Paint shops do take a while when the quality is there. Your bronco looks sweet by the way.
I've had my EB down for almost 2 years before between new motor, trans, marriage, etc. Its worth it man, your almost there.

 

[clintOK]

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m going to keep after it, just pisses me off that I’m not driving it this summer when I have the chance. Any ideas on what it would cost to switch it out to a manual transmission? That’s what I I really want to do. What about another (stronger) automatic? I’m just kind of done with this AOD.

 

[centex77]

Been 3 years since I've driven mine. Got the motor fired for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Now it's in the body shop. Hopefully I'll be driving it by the end of July. Just keep at it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[rjrobin2002]

A decent trans shop doesnt rebuild every trans that doesnt shift and does some valve body/vacuum test first. Hope you like the one you use.

Get it rebuilt and you will be back on the road in a week and drive it while you round up money for a 5 spd.

And add twin sticks and the dana 20 shifts perfect.

 

[Apogee]

As stated above, the ATLAS II's are nice, but a good JB Fab twin stick will make the D20 shift like butter and should hold up reasonably well in most applications. Your rig looks too pretty to be a hardcore wheeler, so the ATLAS would probably be overkill for the application.

As for a manual transmission swap, the majority of the cost will really come down to what you spend on the transmission itself. Going the used route can save some coin, so long as it's a good unit. Going rebuilt or new (assembled from parts) can buy you some peace of mind, but at a price. Then you'll need a clutch and all of the adapter components to get it in there...and maybe exhaust work as well. There's no such thing as an easy transmission swap IMO, some are just easier than others.

 

[Cortez]

Any ideas on what it would cost to switch it out to a manual transmission

I was researching it for a bit and Seems to run between $1700-$2400 for the parts. The range accounts for whether it’s new or rebuilt. No idea what they charge for the install. That’s ax and adapters, not including an Atlas. The AOD may not need rebuilding did you get an evaluation yet from the shop? As was stated if you can get some coin for your aod then it will take some sting out of the new setup.

 

[661buster1963]

Clint,
sweet front bumper, who made that one

 

[clintOK]

Clint,
sweet front bumper, who made that one

I’m not sure, it was on the bronco when I got it. I like it but will probably switch it to a stock black bumper.

Just got the diagnosis from the transmission shop. I guess it’s in need of a rebuild. I don’t want an automatic so I’m not going to mess with fixing it. I’m OK with it because I already have wild horses building me a quote for an AX15 (new) with all the accompanying pieces. This transmission shop seems pretty good and quoted the install at $1500. I’ll just have it all shipped to them and be done with it. It will be expensive but I don’t have the time between trying to harvest wheat and my day job to mess with it. Can’t wait to shift gears in something besides a wheat truck!

 

[rjrobin2002]

I’m not sure, it was on the bronco when I got it. I like it but will probably switch it to a stock black bumper.

Just got the diagnosis from the transmission shop. I guess it’s in need of a rebuild. I don’t want an automatic so I’m not going to mess with fixing it. I’m OK with it because I already have wild horses building me a quote for an AX15 (new) with all the accompanying pieces. This transmission shop seems pretty good and quoted the install at $1500. I’ll just have it all shipped to them and be done with it. It will be expensive but I don’t have the time between trying to harvest wheat and my day job to mess with it. Can’t wait to shift gears in something besides a wheat truck!

Sounds good, you should be back on the road in no time.

I helped my boss do his 5 spd swap and we did it in a evening . He pulled the stock 3 spd out the day before.