ZF 5 speed

[horseplay]

So just taking an opinion pole. So for those of you that have the ZF do you think it was worth changing out your C4 or NP 435. Tell me what you think & what engine you are running.

[Justin]

Haven't done it yet, but have a ZF on my garage floor waiting to replace my NP435. Looking forward to having an overdrive gear.

[phyler]

What Justin said. Not sure if it's truly worth it yet but I came by the transmission pretty cheap.

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[Digger]

Absolutely worth it!

Switched from NP435 to ZF5 behind a 351W.

I can comfortably cruise at 75 MPH @2500 rpm and the 351 can still pull the hills without a problem. Additionally, the hydraulic clutch is more reliable than the old link setup.

[horseplay]

That's what I was wondering. How much did your low range rock crawling change?

[horseplay]

Forgot what tire size & gear ratio are running?

[Jesus_man]

I had an NP435 in my old bronco with the original and VERY tired 302. I had 3.50's and 33's at the time. The NP435 was the only way I could crawl at a reasonable cost. That bronco is gone, but new one has a ZF5, 4.10's and 35's with a 351 EFI. As Digger said, it will cruise on the Interstate pretty easily. Mine is more of a trail rig and not so comfortable on the road, but...on smoother roads I have looked down to find myself going 70 without noticing.

IMO - the ZF5 is the best way to go for us who prefer the manual tranny! It offers a decent granny gear, and a great OD. If you need deep crawling gears, the best place for those is in the T-case. The axle ratios should match your highway cruising/tire size selection.

Just make sure you buy a quality master cylinder, not a chain parts store version. Perhaps a tranny rebuild shop is the best source.

[Digger]

That's what I was wondering. How much did your low range rock crawling change?

Low range didn't change much. The NP435 has a lower first (6.69:1) vs 5.72:1 for the wide ratio ZF. 5.72 is still pretty deep. I wheeled for 15 years with a 3.4:1 1st gear. Like JM said, if crawl ratio is your concern, modify the transfer case. That being said, I wheeled 99% of Imogene pass using HIGH range and granny 1st gear. Only put it in LOW (6:1 Atlas) while taking the hard line through a creek crossing in a driving down pour.

Gear/tires: I'm running 4.56's with 37" BFG AT KO2s.

[horseplay]

Thanks guys that's the info I was hoping for some real world experience.

[landshark]

Had a np435 switched to zf. Was definitely worth all the trouble I went through. Low range differences are hardly noticeable.

[pgilbeau]

I really like the ZF-5 in my Bronco, it is much better than the C-4 that I had. My set up is 37's, 4.88 gears, 3.8:1 Atlas, and a 302. I can cruise 70-75 mph on the highway with no problems and then put it in low range and crawl. On my trip to Moab mostly used 2nd to crawl, 1st can crawl up about anything but doesn't have enough wheel speed when you need it.