jedi99

Hi Forum Members,

I’m sure this has been discussed before but couldn’t find anything in a search

I’ve always been a Ford fan and just finished a 79 Bronco frame off restoration

I’ve just acquired a 1977 F150 shortbox 4x4, it is minus the engine but has the original 4 speed transmission

I do have the vin tag and the title/registration

The question is where should I proceed?

I would appreciate all ideas regarding engine/transmission upgrades
or do I build a small block or big block and couple it to the original 4 speed

I would look at other engine/ transmission options if it were deemed the way to go

Other questions:

Popular body colours, interior, wheels, tires, suspension, lift or no lift

Thanks In Advance for Suggestions on where to proceed with this build

jedi

Creston

What bell housing is the 4 speed. Most were big block. What is the use of the truck. The 4 speeds in those are pretty low and will scream on the highway regardless of gear. Also what transfer case. 203 or 205. If its full time 4x4 you may want to fix that as well. You can leave the full time dana 44 front if you like though even if you swap in a 205 T case . They are tough

jedi99

Hi Creston,

Thanks for the reply

I believe it has the big bell housing and the 205 transfer case, I do have locking hubs

Just wondering if I might have another transmission option over the stock 4 speed?

jedi

Creston

Most likely was a 351 or 400. 400 are easy to find. Get some trackboss pistons and a decent 4 barrel and intake and they are fine. Great for a truck. Far cheaper than swapping a motor and trans into a 4x4. If you just want a 5 speed you can get a zf5 out of a big block truck and use a spacer or 351 zf5 flywheel....assuming you have a big block engine. Depends what you want

If the t-case says 2wd, n, 4wd, 4lo is a 205. If it says hi, hi loc lo, lo loc is 203.....or someone changed the ****.

jedi99

How does the transfer case bolt up to different transmission?

Creston

In this particular case they just bolt up. Shifter will be in an oddball location or you can use a cable shifter for 4wd. U have to have the tail section from a 4x4 zf5 I believe. But ive never messed with a 2wd zf5.

About a million of these swaps online. Just search 400 to zf5 or something. But it's pretty common.

If the truck were a 2wd id say stick a 351w and a 5 speed in it. But 4wd and what you already have makes me go the other way

jedi99

Thanks Creston,

I really don’t know anything about ZF5’s I gather they would be fully synchronized, is first gear super low and the other four gears is what you would normally use with fourth being an overdrive. Do they shift half decently or are they just a slow shifting truck transmission?

Your comment about putting a 351 with a 5 speed has me thinking though, maybe I should convert this into a 2 wheel drive with a Crown Vic front end.

I’m not sure where the value would be, should it be left as a four wheel or would it be taboo to convert it to a two wheel drive

As you can see from the picture, I have a pretty good project ahead of me

Once Again Thanks For The Input

jedi

jedi99

Here’s a picture of the Bronco I’m just finishing up

Pretty much stock,
351M, cam, intake manifold, carburetor, cleveland 2V heads
C6, NP205 transfer case, Warn locking hubs, limited slip
Retro sound radio



Cheers
jedi

Creston

Zf5 had more than one ratio. Some wide ratio some close. As far as I know all were fully synchronized where your 4 speed will be syncro in everything but first (and reverse) assuming its a np435.

I wouldn't convert it to 2wd. Be better off to sell the 4 and buy a 2wd if thats what you want. People would be willing to trade. I see 2wd pretty cheap.

jedi99

Hi Creston,

I found this ZF5 transmission, it has a flywheel, pedal assembly, shifter and other items

Here is a picture of the serial number plate, do you think this would be a good tranny to put behind a 429?

It is for a 4x4

Jim