I'm building two different broncos right now one is going to be an auto, one a manual. I know this have been talked about quite a bit but things change over time. For example 20 years ago broncos were sought after because they made great off roaders. In that case the NV435 was probably the best for a lot of people. Super low first gear and your tires were big enough you never needed an overdrive. Now there's not that many people taking broncos off road. These are valuable classic cars and most people don't want to risk it. Especially when you can buy an older jeep for about 1/10th the price. I'm posting here because I'm definitely open to having my mind changed. Here's what I'm thinking for my builds:
Automatic of my choice: AOD. At first I wanted the 4r70w. But I don't like dealing with computers. I like working on classics so I don't have to deal with that. 4r70w takes a standalone controller. I realize the AOD doesn't have the best reputation but the $1000 you save not buying a stand alone computer can go a long ways to building a stout AOD.
Manual of choice: At first I was all about the T19. Low syncro first gear, about the same length and who needs overdrive? But it's heavy and slow shifting. Then I wanted a ZF5 to get a 5th gear. But they are expensive to find and still shift pretty slow. The AX15 is popular but I don't love an adapter on both sides of it and much faster and smoother shifting but still not the king. I just picked up an M2OD-R2 appears to be in good shape for $100. It doesn't have the best reputation with the F150 crowd. But that's also in a truck that weighs 2000 lbs more that people are hauling loads and hauling trailers with and still holding up 200,000 miles. The rubber plugs is the biggest problem fix that it should be pretty reliable in a bronco. First gear is perfect at about 4 to 1. Bolts up on the front, and either adapts to a T20 or retrofit an NP205. I would argue it's one of the smoothest shifting manual ever put into a truck. People always want more power from their engine. But what good does engine power do if you shift through gears slow? If a truck with a zf5 and 200 hp engine drag raced a M5OD with 150hp, all other things being equal, my money would be on the M5OD truck winning! Because of these reasons for my choice.
Automatic of my choice: AOD. At first I wanted the 4r70w. But I don't like dealing with computers. I like working on classics so I don't have to deal with that. 4r70w takes a standalone controller. I realize the AOD doesn't have the best reputation but the $1000 you save not buying a stand alone computer can go a long ways to building a stout AOD.
Manual of choice: At first I was all about the T19. Low syncro first gear, about the same length and who needs overdrive? But it's heavy and slow shifting. Then I wanted a ZF5 to get a 5th gear. But they are expensive to find and still shift pretty slow. The AX15 is popular but I don't love an adapter on both sides of it and much faster and smoother shifting but still not the king. I just picked up an M2OD-R2 appears to be in good shape for $100. It doesn't have the best reputation with the F150 crowd. But that's also in a truck that weighs 2000 lbs more that people are hauling loads and hauling trailers with and still holding up 200,000 miles. The rubber plugs is the biggest problem fix that it should be pretty reliable in a bronco. First gear is perfect at about 4 to 1. Bolts up on the front, and either adapts to a T20 or retrofit an NP205. I would argue it's one of the smoothest shifting manual ever put into a truck. People always want more power from their engine. But what good does engine power do if you shift through gears slow? If a truck with a zf5 and 200 hp engine drag raced a M5OD with 150hp, all other things being equal, my money would be on the M5OD truck winning! Because of these reasons for my choice.
