I recently converted from a NP435 to a NV3550. It's a great swap for the Bronco and I think a lot of people have already done it. After installed your shifter will be located about 2 inches away from you transfer case shifter. I can also travel on the interstate at 70 mph at less than 3000 rpms. Will would definitely recommend the swap if you can afford it.
Now the Cons... I had trouble finding a place that would do the work. Most shops where I live didn't know the difference between the two trans, nor how to actually do the swap. I had one shop tell me that they would look at it but then when their "transmission specialist" looked at it he said he didn't want to touch it. They told me about another shop who actually did the work, but had to do some research first and read the installation instructions. Most "transmission specialty" shops only fix transmission, they don't do conversions. I also had problems with the shop telling me that parts were missing, such as the clutch disk (I bought the deluxe package from Wild Horses that came with a new clutch) and the shifter housing. When I called Wild Horses, they told me that they get the entire kit from Advanced Adapters (you might be able to go straight to them and get the kit cheaper). Wild Horses called Advanced Adapters who said that they test all they kits prior to selling and therefore all the parts had to be there. So I was stuck between what the shop was saying and what Advanced Adapters was saying, so I ended up having to pay for the shifter housing but they sold it to me at a fraction of what it normally cost, and they gave me another clutch disc at no cost. I would have to say that both Wild Horses and Advanced Adapters where very customer friendly, no issues with them. Anyway, after it was all said and done I ended up paying $2,500 for the transmission and about $700 for the install. Also, if you dont have a body lift, then the shifter housing will stick out above your tunnel cover a couple of inches. and since it is located so close to your transfer shifters, you cant using the "super boot" that the kit comes with.
Recommendations: Try to get the kit directly from Advanced Adapters (cut out the middle man), and if you don't know what you are looking at (like me) then have it sent directly to the shop that will do the conversion so that they can inventory it and tell you right away if anything is missing. Also go ahead and order a Hurst Short Throw shifter, the shifter that comes with the kit looks like shit.
I also have a twin shifter from Wild Horse that I had to modify it and the tunnel cover to fit on the NV3550, if you want more info on that let me know. i can also wend a pic of the finished product.
hope this helps
Jarrod
