Switching a standard to auto shift

[JasonTx]

I found a 1970 bronco that i like a lot but it has an standard tranny 3 speed on the column. How hard is it to convert to auto with a low budget and do i have to take the motor out?

Thanks Jason

 

[Broncobowsher]

Motor can stay in.
Cost will depend on what you can find. Best choice is a '73-'77 Bronco C4 automatic. It will be the lowest cost and will simply bolt in. You just need all the parts, that can be a little tricky.
You can also get a car C4 and put a conversion kit on it. The Bronco C4 has all the good parts in it from the factory, better then the car C4s that you will find.
After that the price starts going up as driveshafts need modifications, crossmember customization, etc.
A basic C4 swap ranges from $200 to $1200.

 

[Sac '68 sport]

I put a bronco 75 C-4 and column into my 68 and it was a pretty easy swap. Wound up costing me more than expected since I had to get the trans rebuilt, but I should have figured that in in the first place since it was a 30 year old transmission... The hardest parts were heaving the transfer case back in (get a proper trans jack) figuring out the column wiring (search this site) and getting the dip stick to fit around my long tube headers (bend and check, lather, rinse, repeat). That said if I had it to do again I'd go with an AOD for the over drive, several of the vendors have a cross member ready made.