[Oletrucks] PS...Re: 3 speed overdrive conversion

[mark at noakes.com]

When I last had my Sub running, I loved the 3-speed on the column...nice 
and easy when it's right, and mine was. The only thing I didn't like 
about the whole setup was the 3.90 ratio on the highway, which was a 
contributing factor to my losing my original V8. I do almost no city 
driving; it's almost all rural 2 lane roads and the Interstate. If I 
calculated correctly, the OD drops the final drive down to 2.73 when 
engaged.

Mark N

On 12/11/11 4:03 PM, mark at noakes.com wrote:
> I happen to have the 3-speed out of my 58 Suburban stored next to the 
> 3-speed OD I plan to put back into it. As far as I can tell, they are 
> identical in length, 22 inches from trans-to-bellhousing mount to end 
> of tail piece plus 1/2 inch out the back for the splines on the shaft.
>
> Mark N
> 58 Chevy Suburban, 2wd, V8 3-speed OD if I ever get it finished
> 58 GMC 1/2 ton big back window short bed wideside, NAPCO 4wd, 4-speed, 
> 270 6, orig power steering
>
> On 12/11/11 3:29 PM, Robert Swanson wrote:
>>     I have a 3 spd overdrive from a 1/2 ton (55-59), and it looks to 
>> be the same
>> length as the standard transmission.  I don't have a regular non 
>> overdrive
>> tranny to confirm the measurements.  I have a parts book and will 
>> look to see
>> if the driveshaft for the overdrive is a different part number.
>>     If someone does have the length of the talishaft for the non 
>> overdrive
>> transmission, it will be easy for me to confirm whether or not the 
>> driveshaft
>> length will have to change.  I don't think it does.
>>     If you don't have the parts for the column shift, I would just 
>> use a floor
>> shift.  Old column shifters can be a pain to get set up properly.
>>     The transmission freewheels when it is in the overdrive mode.
>> Bob