Where To Begin?

[wthpandbk]

Here's the question folks: I just bought a 77 Bronco in average shape. It has been converted to a C4 auto with the 302. It runs, but could use a little bit of everything, from new electrical upgrade to body work to transmission tp engine tweak (mechanic says aftermarket carb is too something for the engine, consequently has a hard time restarting after driving and stalls frequently). I have a little money leftover $3-5k and I'm trying to decide what to take care of first. More importantly, this is my first bronco and I am not close to being a mechanic...willing to try anything reasonable though. My end goal is a truck that can be a daily driver, capable of highway speeds without 10000rpms and yet occasional offroad trips. Since my mechanic said the transfer case is shot (because it won't stay in 4WD) my first thought was replacing the transmission and transfercase. 1. Is there a good order for "rebuilding" a truck while continuing to drive it (Especially if funding the entire project takes a couple years)? 2. If I were to do the Tranny swap, what should is the NV3550 or 4500 a good route? 3. If I were to purchase a kit, where should I get it from? What is everything I need? and Should I even attempt this on my own with a typical set of garage tools? Anything and everything is appreciated with reference to this posting.

Thank You!

 

[shaun94]

If you want it to be your daily driver and stard driving it right a way, I would start with the transmission and engine. You don't want to be stuck on the side of the road with it. >-

 

[Txquadhunter]

My end goal is a truck that can be a daily driver, capable of highway speeds without 10000rpms and yet occasional offroad trips.
If I were to do the Tranny swap, what should is the NV3550 or 4500 a good route?

3. If I were to purchase a kit, where should I get it from? What is everything I need? and Should I even attempt this on my own with a typical set of garage tools?

Thank You!

I'm not a EB bronco owner. mines a 79. but can help with your questions.

as for the highway, w/out high RPM's and still be able to offroad can be done with ease. how easy depends oh what kinda offroading your talking about, trail riding, lite mudding or ********* like rock crawling and mud pits?

what kind of tranny you looking for auto or the manuals you stated?

if the standerds you asked, first you'll have to buy one rebuilt $1,000+ or find one in a wrecking yard from a dodge or chevy. which will still run ya around the $1,000 range. the kits to install it can be found at www.broncograveyard.com.

the cheapiest would swap in a C6 since it'll bolt right in. they can be found with tcases already mated to them. you'll have the best luck on finding one from a 80-86 truck or bronco for the small block pattern. but there mated to chain driven Tcase thoses years but can help with your goal since they have a lower crawl ratio in 4lo. or you can swap it for a NP205's or the dana cases found in bronco's. even get it as a motor tranny combo which you could come out cheaper rebuilding the 302/C6 combo then buying the 5spd manuals you stated.

the main part on keeping RPM's down is your selction of tire sizes/gear ratio. say you want 33's you could go 3.50:1 gear ratio which will keep a good highway ratio and decent offroad ratio. 4.10:1 will give you good offroad and decent highway ratio. it all depends on you.

yes it can be done to have a bronco while driving it and fixing it up. by keeping it with simple bolt ins like i stated with the C6 swap. this can be done with everyday hand tools.

main thing is get it running right first then dive off into the rest. and having everything like rebuilt tranny/motor ready to drop as you pull old out so not a long down time waiting on it to be built.

 

[Guest_harleyds]

You can get a rebuilt dana 20 T-case for 350.00. I rebuilt my own not a mechanic either nor had I ever done one before. I had my C-4 rebuilt with a shift kit and a few extra plates for 250.00