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With the 60's OD 3 speed , the OD was activated by an electric solenoid. No cables or levers involved.
Yes, I remember I had a lever that I needed to put into overdrive mode. This took the compression out of 2nd and 3rd gear so if I took my foot off the gas while in those gears the engine would just idle even though it was in gear. In this mode, I could take my foot off the gas for a second and the overdrive would kick on and compression would return in OD gear. I also had an electric switch I could flip that took it out of OD and back to regular 3rd gear.
the Econolines, due to their mid-engine design, have a shorter than normal driveshaft. Anything shorter than stock could put extra stress on the u-joints. If you do shorten the driveshaft, you need to ensure proper geometry between the transmission and the axle.