Okay, I am considering swapping to a C-6 yes I know I will lose the overdrive but I am looking at overall strength. By the time I do the swap the Bronco will see even less street time and my plans for a new motor are in the works as well. I expect the motor to be pushing around 400hp and about 450 torque not sure on all the specifics yet but the motor will have some extensive head work done, gt 40 intake and a cam change. The exhaust is already taken care of with jba headers and a true dual 2.5'' exhaust. So keeping in mind the future goals of the motor, the majority of my playing is in the desert, and losing overdrive is not a major issue what do you guys think, is the c-6 swap worth the time and money or spend some extra dollars on the E40d which is in need of a rebuild in the near future as well. Thanks in advance.

c6 is going to be cheaper in the long run. if you don't care bout losing overdrive then go with the c6.

Ya know...i get crappy gas milege with the e4od. I'd rather have a bullet proof tranny that can built for half the cost of the e4od, and still get crappy gas milege! :toothless

Ya know...i get crappy gas milege with the e4od. I'd rather have a bullet proof tranny that can built for half the cost of the e4od, and still get crappy gas milege! :toothless

that would sum it up for me. i have the e40d, and if i was going to just have a runner, something i had in the mudd, racing in the dirt, on dunes i would swap a c-6. but its my daily, and i need od.

if my bronco was anything other than a daily driver, i would have something cheaper to replace in the e4od's place. and a c-6 sounds good to me.

I plan on switching to a C-6 in mine as well and its a daily driver.
I would think it would be better then the e4od in the desert too as its simplier and I doubt you do anything to it. Having said that I do think the e4OD is a decent tranny if build correctlly but it costs money. Also if you went all out and put a tranny controler on it you might have more options using the e4od.

C6 transmissions are tough, with the 1:1 ratio, gas mileage will hurt, but the sense of reliability outweighs that for me

Everyone is presenting the very arguments I have wresteled with plus no one mentioned the added benefit of having a longer driveshaft. I am torn as either way you are spending money and I have not had anything overly bad to say about the E4OD other than expense and to build up the c-6 will definately be more bang for the buck. I know I can have the E4OD built some but I think the money may be better spent on the motor and a solid C-6. I have considered adding in a gear vendors overdrive but I need to research that a bit further plus that is not cheap. I think that I can build a 351 that will tolerate exrended time in the 3500-4000 rpm range while mileage might be a bit better with the OD on the highway my time is so limited that I think that argument is a wash and to be honest my mileage know is about the same if I run in overdrive on the highway or locked out so the ovelall picture i ssteering me towards the C-6 and just give up a little bit on the hwy when I have to use it there.

I think the money may be better spent on the motor and a solid C-6. ............ i ssteering me towards the C-6 .




sounds like youve got the idea you like.

I say C-6.

700R4. Can be built tough and cheaper that E4OD, shorter overall length, better first gear ratio and you get to keep your overdrive.
I wish I would of went that route. I just dumped about 3600 into mine with all the latest upgrades, planetaries, billet convertor, yada yada yada. Custom programing to control the shifts and it still leaves a bit to be desired. Not bad really but I have a built 4L60 in my Yukon and have wheeled and towed that thing without a lick of problems. And that trans shifts at the perfect time and firmness everytime. My Yukon/camp trailer combo weighs out and 13,850 lbs and close to 90,000 miles with no probs. And damn if that E4OD ain't one long tranny.

I agree with GKR. Mostly anyways. E40d is great with the right parts, but the480LE (turbo 400 with OD)is the the best. Be expensive though. The c6 is good but it holds a band in 2nd gear and that is what goes out all the time. But i have a c6 in two of my trucks and they always get me there. with an extra gas stop that is;)

Go with a C6 with a E4OD gear swap. You get the reliablility of the C6 and improve the 1st and 2nd ratio that was one of the C6's failings. You can get a built C6 with this gear swap for about $1200. It usually includes all of the performance upgrades to. I got one that can handle 500hp.

Lot of points for the C6. Cheaper, good and strong, manual valve bodies, gear options, shifters and best of all, with the longer driveshaft you can cycle more suspension travel.

I second the addiont of EOD gearing to a C-6 I have loved my swap since day one.

I have considered adding in a gear vendors overdrive but I need to research that a bit further plus that is not cheap.

I haven't done any measuring, but I think the Gear Vendors unit would be too long in a Bronco (while retaining 4wd). It would be the best of both worlds though. A solid transmission and overdrive. The unit can also be used to split the gears making your 3 speed trans a 6 speed!

I have a C6 in mine and it works great, but I keep tossing around the idea of putting a 5 speed in it. More gears, overdrive, less parasitic power loss and less weight to top it off.

Thanks for all the input guys, I think I will swap to a c-6 in the near future,
I agree steve I have not made any measurments on the gear vendors unit either but I think if I went that route I would be better off just putting the money inot the E4od as it would probably be cheaper. Hopefully I will have a trailer for the bronco next year and then I can really move forward on some of this stuff, right now I occasionally drive it to the playgrounds and the E40d is still chugging with no issues. Thanks everyone again.

I would prefer the E4OD, but I also drive my truck every day and would in no way want a 3 speed for day to day driving. I've also seen no issues with a properly built E4OD that is cooled well and taken care of behind a built gas or diesel motor

Glad to be of service.

I would prefer the E4OD, but I also drive my truck every day and would in no way want a 3 speed for day to day driving. I've also seen no issues with a properly built E4OD that is cooled well and taken care of behind a built gas or diesel motor

I think you missed the whole point!

The rebuild cost of a c-6 is half that of an e4od, To rebuild an e4od to withstand the rigors of offroading you will spend at least $2200, now add tranny cooler etc...

Now honestly answer this question, do you really get that great of gas mileage with an e4od? I have had both, and to be honest, i see no difference!

To me if i'm going to build a serious chase/prerun bko(which i am) the choice is simple...the c-6! Bullit proof, cheap to rebuild, no electronics to worry about etc...

Here,s an example, remanufactured c-6 from jasper is $1342 the e4od is $2249

Remanufactured from Certified transmissions the c-6 is $1387, the e4od is $2500

Are you getting the picture now?

you gain a few miles to the Gallon with the OD but the one Factor is the Drivability on highway speeds is better as cruising down the highway at 75 MPH and the engine is screaming for mercy without OD or purring along with OD

try this lockout your overdrive and take it for a cruise down the highway run it at the normal speeds you normally run

Plus RPMS kills the faster your engine spins that faster it will die

double duty rigs DD/TD I would go with the E4OD
only Trail Driving I would go with C6 Tranny for the above posts advantages
given a true choice though I would prolly lean more towards a 4spd tranny for trail running

i have never had a problem once with my motor and no overdrive. ive put over 20K miles on it running 37" or bigger tires, wheeling the piss out of it and then driving home at 2800-3000 rpms for HOURS on end. as long as your cooling system is working properly (and mine leaked for about 90% of those miles) and you have good oil i see no problem. my cruise speed is limited by drag and gearing, so i do only cruise at 55-65 usually but thats still almost 3 grand. i really don't think OD would make a difference either, because at that cruising speed the motor is running right at its peak torque so it does not have to work hard at all. it still pulls grades like a mofo too, faster than anybody else i wheel with.

the gearing on the C6 is not that great, but the torque convertor makes up for it and as long as you have a solid cooler (should be a given no matter what tranny you run, they're only $70 bux) you really have nothing to worry about (except your own dumb abuse). i've run my C6 on 1/2 its fluid, smashed 3 tranny pans, and generally done everything else bad for it and it has survived fine. i can't wait to rebuild it into a monster.

the C6 is the hands down winner, especially for what he wants to do.
the E4OD is junk, i wouldn't even run one in a stock DD. its too long, heavy, finicky and fragile for something thats going to barge out into the middle of the desert that you don't want to worry about.

i have never had a problem once with my motor and no overdrive. ive put over 20K miles on it running 37" or bigger tires, wheeling the piss out of it and then driving home at 2800-3000 rpms for HOURS on end. as long as your cooling system is working properly (and mine leaked for about 90% of those miles) and you have good oil i see no problem. my cruise speed is limited by drag and gearing, so i do only cruise at 55-65 usually but thats still almost 3 grand. i really don't think OD would make a difference either, because at that cruising speed the motor is running right at its peak torque so it does not have to work hard at all. it still pulls grades like a mofo too, faster than anybody else i wheel with.

the gearing on the C6 is not that great, but the torque convertor makes up for it and as long as you have a solid cooler (should be a given no matter what tranny you run, they're only $70 bux) you really have nothing to worry about (except your own dumb abuse). i've run my C6 on 1/2 its fluid, smashed 3 tranny pans, and generally done everything else bad for it and it has survived fine. i can't wait to rebuild it into a monster.

the C6 is the hands down winner, especially for what he wants to do.
the E4OD is junk, i wouldn't even run one in a stock DD. its too long, heavy, finicky and fragile for something thats going to barge out into the middle of the desert that you don't want to worry about.

Well said Andy!

I think you missed the whole point!

The rebuild cost of a c-6 is half that of an e4od, To rebuild an e4od to withstand the rigors of offroading you will spend at least $2200, now add tranny cooler etc...

Now honestly answer this question, do you really get that great of gas mileage with an e4od? I have had both, and to be honest, i see no difference!

To me if i'm going to build a serious chase/prerun bko(which i am) the choice is simple...the c-6! Bullit proof, cheap to rebuild, no electronics to worry about etc...

Here,s an example, remanufactured c-6 from jasper is $1342 the e4od is $2249

Remanufactured from Certified transmissions the c-6 is $1387, the e4od is $2500

Are you getting the picture now?

I gave my opinion on what transmission I would prefer, and I would prefer to have the overdrive. If the whole point is going cheap then a C6 is fine if you don't care about driving it everyday. I've spent my money to have a built overdrive tranny that can handle whatever I can find, and I would prefer that over a old 3 speed anyday.

I gave my opinion on what transmission I would prefer, and I would prefer to have the overdrive. If the whole point is going cheap then a C6 is fine if you don't care about driving it everyday. I've spent my money to have a built overdrive tranny that can handle whatever I can find, and I would prefer that over a old 3 speed anyday.

That's Cool!

Btw, to me it's not being cheap, it's spending wisely! How much did it cost you for your "built" tranny?

20K wow that is a lot of Miles :rofl:

we have a wrecker 1997 1ton ford with 460 pushing 300K on same engine and 1 replacement OD tranny how many NON OD rigs have that on the same engine

also only a idiot would think that the E4OD is a Junk Tranny only because He doesn't know how to drive with a OD tranny granted the thing is a Big Tranny and Heavy but it is far From a Junk Tranny

20K wow that is a lot of Miles :rofl:

we have a wrecker 1997 1ton ford with 460 pushing 300K on same engine and 1 replacement OD tranny how many NON OD rigs have that on the same engine

also only a idiot would think that the E4OD is a Junk Tranny only because He doesn't know how to drive with a OD tranny granted the thing is a Big Tranny and Heavy but it is far From a Junk Tranny

I really don't think we need to start a pissing contest over this! Everyone has given their opinions, now let PolarCub make his decision.

Have a great Sunday afternoon!

Again I want to say thanks to everyone for their opinions and experience. I was not trying to start a war over the two choices. While the decision is still up in the air on my part you have all given me valid thoughts to consider. Money is part of the equation as well as longevity and overall durability. The thought process on my part is matching the trans to the motor and keeping my rig well balanced for my needs. I have never had any major issue with the E4od and I am pushing 150k on it, admittedly I am becoming nervous based on others experience. If you want to count the overall dollars spent I am not sold that in the end it will be any cheaper after I have a c-6 built and modified plus a new driveshaft. I will be putting a fair amount of money out either way it just may go to different parts. So I guess in the end I want to thank you all for your opinions/experience and as Brokenbronco already stated this is not a pissing contest both transmissions have their merits and everyone has opinions. FWIW though I am leaning heavily towards doing a c-6 conversion for my needs I think it will be the better choice and a wiser expenditure of dollars, I will miss overdrive though but as I already stated the time the bronco sees on the freeway is already rather limited and for the times i need it their I may just choose to cruise at 65 instead of 75. SO once again thanks for all your inputs and I look forward to seeing you all out there.

That's Cool!

Btw, to me it's not being cheap, it's spending wisely! How much did it cost you for your "built" tranny?

$2600 by a shop here in town

All steel planetaries, heavy duty convertor, new selenoid packs, pump, additional clutch packs, and a transgo shift kit along with the other typical wear items. Also has a heavy duty cooler and a late model pan with a built in drain plug.