Trans swap E40D???

[Gas Pig]

Ok guys I'm been wanting to do 300 I6 swap for a while now. So over the past couple of years I have been gather parts for a build. I found a low mileage EFI 300 coupled to (I thought) 4R70W trans. Well as I got really looking at it I discovered it's E40D. After reaching it the E40D is Ford's heavy duty trans with a lower 1st but still having the OD gear for the highway. Apparently it's a monster of a trans 4" longer, bigger pan, and etc.

1st is there an adapter kit for the Bronco? 2nd is it overkill to use this trans instead of a 4R70W? Should I just unload E40D trans and find myself a different one?

Thanks Jeff

PS remember guys I'm mostly '66 bone stock guy so these swaps and conversions I have just a little knowledge and experience in. lol

 

[Broncobowsher]

You can use the ZF adaptor. The output is the same as the ZF 5-speed, or a 4R70W, or the Mazda 5-speed. The 4WD versions all run the same bolt circle and 31 spline.

But you don't want to. The 300 is already a very long and large straight 6 that will have enough challenges putting into a Bronco. The E4OD is a very long transmission, the pan is as long as the whole case on a 4R70W. This combo will push the transfer case too far back to be useful in a Bronco.

 

[Gas Pig]

You can use the ZF adaptor. The output is the same as the ZF 5-speed, or a 4R70W, or the Mazda 5-speed. The 4WD versions all run the same bolt circle and 31 spline.

But you don't want to. The 300 is already a very long and large straight 6 that will have enough challenges putting into a Bronco. The E4OD is a very long transmission, the pan is as long as the whole case on a 4R70W. This combo will push the transfer case too far back to be useful in a Bronco.

That's kind of what I saw once I started to measure things up. I have a converted (to Dana 20) man 4 speed out of 87 f150 but my daughter and wife wants an auto instead of a stick shift.

If I picked up 4R70W and if I got ambitious a went with a EFI would the stock Ford computer handle the trans too or would I have to still buy independent controller?

Thanks again, jeff

PS this is going to be my winter side project after I finish up two other builds.

 

[Broncobowsher]

More than likely a stand alone controller. I don't know of any 300/4R70W combos. The controls for the transmissions are different as well, The E4OD has an extra solenoid and the switching logic for the shift solenoids also changes.

Now someone really good with the ford computers might be able to put a 4R70W logic into a 300 computer. But I would not expect it.

 

[sykanr0ng]

A 250 with a 4R70W would be a much more reasonable six with an auto combination.
Then you wouldn't need to stretch the front clip or move the radiator forward or move the firewall back.
You would still need a standalone transmission controller.

 

[EFI Guy]

Now someone really good with the ford computers might be able to put a 4R70W logic into a 300 computer. But I would not expect it.

You can run a 6 cyl off of a V8 computer with a little custom tuning. The catch to that is that it will sometimes cause pins to be reassigned. So the PCM pin for inj #7 could become IAC, or evap, or something of that nature. With no documentation, it can be hard to figure out but can be done. You need to figure out a 6cyl that uses similar hardware and follow it's diagram. In theory, an Explorer PCM would work, but I don't know yet if any pins get reassigned with them.

If I wanted a 6cyl with 4r70w control I'd use a 96-97 Mustang 3.8 PCM. But there are a couple of problems to solve there as well. Crank trigger is easy enough, trigger wheels can be made to your spec fairly cheap. The bigger issue is cam the sensor, I don't know how hard it would be to adapt one to a 300. If shaft length and diameter are close to a 3.0, 3.8, or 5.0 it could be easy, but I don't know the physical dimensions of a 300 distributor.

Then there is the harness, if it's a 96-97 OBD2 300 harness it wouldn't be very difficult to adapt. If it's EEC-IV (and it probably is) every PCM pin would need to be changed as well.

So, I'm sure it can be done. It's a project I'd be willing to take on for the right price. But, at the end of the day, you could just hit the easy button and go with a standalone controller.

Edit: Too add to this, you can tweak the transmission solenoid truth table in an E4od computer to make it run a 4r70w, but because of the extra hardware, you can't make a 4r70w computer run an E4od. However, this isn't something I've ever tried personally, and there would need to be good tuning support for the 300 PCM. So, unless it's an OBD2 300, that's off the table as well.

 

[Wyflyer]

I added a late model E4OD to a carbureted 400. Used the Baumann shift controller &I added a throttle position sensor. Original had a Holly throttle body projection which came with the TPS. Agree this combo is too long for that bronco body, that's the same trans they put behind a 460 or 7.3 power stroke. It's a monster, find something more compact they'll do the same thing in less space

 

[Boss Hugg]

I have a 2wd E4OD that was purchased reman from a ford dealer and it didn't fix the issue with the truck so the owner put the truck up for sale. I have had no luck getting 1/3 of the dealer price for the transmission even with about 1000 miles on it. Hope you have better luck. Of course, being able to let it go cheap will help. My dad put too much money into this truck because we thought we could get the money back for the transmission.

 

[Gas Pig]

Ok after reading through everyone's great input I have some choices to make. I have always loved Ford's fuel injected 300. I know there was going to be hurdles with putting a 300 in a bronco not to mention adding all the EFI stuff. Then the wife and daughter wanted bronco to be an automatic put even more wrinkles in the equation. I think it might be to ambitious to take on the changes to make it all work.

I think the two most important things in my family would be auto and EFI. I really still want to do a I6 but I guess I could look for 250 cid? I talk to a bronco owner who put a throttle body and a mega squirt controller on a 200 and loved it! I wonder if it could be done to a 250? With the 250 I still could do AOD or 4R70W trans. Not using 300 it would save me a lot time not redesigning the engine compartment.

Ok... AOD or 4R70W? I'm sure the electronic shift auto is better but is it worth the extra money going with 4R70W?

Thanks again to all and please bare with me figuring out what I want to do!

 

[Broncobowsher]

Yes, the 4R70W is completely worth it over the AOD. Software is what lets you get the right gear at the right time at every throttle setting. The ability to lock and unlock the convertor is like adding a gear splitter at times.

 

[Gas Pig]

Yes, the 4R70W is completely worth it over the AOD. Software is what lets you get the right gear at the right time at every throttle setting. The ability to lock and unlock the convertor is like adding a gear splitter at times.

Yeah I figured a besides I found more 4R70W locally then ADO trans. But just the little bit of looking on Craigslist I haven't found a 250 I6 motor yet. I'm sure one will turn up.

Is there any other things I should consider since I have changed my plans?