6 replies to this topic

[Justshootme84]

Yes, the E4OD is very expensive to overhaul compared to other autos. My opinion, but if you want to swap to a better auto tranny, forget about the AOD and go for the C-6. Granted, you will not have the option of overdrive (OD), but you will have a tranny that will be more reliable and "bullet-proof" than the OD models. I'm speaking from experience on the earlier-model E4OD, prior to 1991. It seems to me that the later-model E4OD from 92-96 had some upgrades that made them a more relaible offering from Ford. If you have that, perhaps an overhaul should be considered.

I am somewhat biased against computer-controlled systems like the E4OD, so if you swap in an AOD or C6 you will have to "fool" the ECM to get the shift points right.I think this qualifies as a major mod, so if you ever sell the Bronco, you should inform the buyer of what you've done.

Also, if you are doing this, you will want to swap transfer cases to the B-W 1356 manual shift or the earlier NP208/NP205. The push-button electric shift B-W can give you fits, and if you are swapping trannies you should swap t-cases for the best model available. Main difference is in the shifter linkage, but the t-case swap is compatible with any of the auto trannies.

[dicain]

fix the e4od and get the updates for the tranny. the drop in rpms will keep you from spending even more time at the pump and save you money in the long run! $2.08 gal ouch!

[BLADE262US]

Well heres a couple other things to look at . 1 the E4OD is a mile long therefore switching to any other tranny is going to cause you to have the front drive shaft shortened and the rear lengthend . So you have the cost of that . Also the 4 wheel drive shifter is special for these if you look on the arm that goes from the tranny mounted shifter to the transfercase lever youll see it says E4OD right on it . so youll either have to fabricate another one or buy one so the cost is adding up here and also what shape is the new tranny anyway would suck to go through all this and find out first trip out that it slips when warmed up or it blows chunks on ya . I just put a C6 in where a AOD was and i had the same problems luckily I had an 84 3/4 ton ford that had a 351 with a c6 so I had driveshaft that was the correct length and I had a 79 F250 that the front driveshaft is the same as the rear in the 89 bronco except it was about 2 inches longer than the bronco one so that saved me there . And I was able to get all the shifter linkages off that truck for the bronco also . So the only cheap way out for ya is if you have a donor truck that has a known good tranny and you can get all the brackets and linkages off of it . Believe me I know how it is to want to get something going but your time is worth money too and you might as well do it right the first time .

[Justshootme84]

Blade262US, very good post, I learned from that!

JamesM, I think if you just unplug the E4OD harness from the tranny, the engine won't run, since the ECM operates both at once. It is possible to "trick" the ECM into thinking the E4OD is still there and swap in the '78 drivetrain. You will have to address speed density, RABS, and other issues. Best info on that is at FullsizeBronco.com, just do a search for the E4OD and drivetrain swap. If I run across a good thread over there, I'll put up a link over here, too!