high boy overdrive
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Ringgold GA.
high boy overdrive
Hey fellas, I'm lookin to add overdrive to my high boy i have the np 235 granny 4spd now and i like it because of it's strength and low gears but i also want better highway manners. 4.11 gears with no od makes the engine scream on the highway. Are there any newer model trannys that will interchange? How bout aftermarket od kits? As always y'alls input is greatly appreciated!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Stephenville, TX
I have no experience with this product, but ive heard many good things about this overdrive unit. It's kinda pricey though. Here it is: http://broncograveyard.com/products/cat/18/111/21325
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I have one of those Ranger overdrives in a 4X4 F100. It's been in the vehicle for about 15 years, seen some fairly extreme service and never given any trouble. With 4.11 diffs and 33" tyres top gear at 100kph is about 1800rpm. Changing two sticks at once takes a bit of practice though.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Ringgold GA.
cseastaugh: where do you find a ranger over drive and how can I find out more about them, like price? Also hillbillyk, diddn't the nv 4500's come in dodges? Just wonderin in case I have to start pilfering the local bone yards. Which is by the way one of my favorite pastimes!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 851
Likes: 15
From: Elkton, MD
I know the dodges had them, I guess you would need a 2wd since the case is divorced, I don't know how long they are. I think some chevy's have them also, I don't know. I think advance adaptors and jeffs brocno graveyard has conversion kits for engine to tranney. You could also use a zf 5 speed out of a ford, but then you would have to change to a hydraulic clutch setup.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
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G'day eveready77, the overdrive I've got came through Advance Adapters, but I don't suppose that the name of their Melbourne (Australia) distributor is much use to you. I remember that it was a Chev unit, and Dad had do a fair bit of adapting to make it fit. I don't remember the details. Dad bought this vehicle new in '77 and now I've inherited the truck I'm glad the overdrive is there, it's a great thing.
There are a few F100s running around in Australia with Ford/Mazda truck 10 speed boxes, but I don't know much about them. 'Mark's Adapters' would probably be the people to talk to.
There are a few F100s running around in Australia with Ford/Mazda truck 10 speed boxes, but I don't know much about them. 'Mark's Adapters' would probably be the people to talk to.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 99
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On that ranger overdrive, how much horsepower is your engine? It would be nice to put one in but if my engine is too strong it might shred it.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 185
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From: Bedford Hts, Oh
There is also a V2OD overdrive unit at U.S. Gear. It is not intended for towing, but it gives you a 20%-30%, or 500-750 RPM decrease. The cost for this unit is less than $1700.00. It is not electric, but cable activated. Just like the old days. You would sill have to shorten your driveshaft. It will fit the C4 and C6 auto. It will fit standards, as well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Gearvendors makes an incredibly strong automatic overdrive unit, I believe it warranted for 100,000 miles. I think it runs about $2500 but thats a 20% fuel savings... for the price of gas nowadays, and its not predicted to go down.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
The 5 speed overdrive also came in the Fords, just pulled an F450 frame and ran the codes, it was a diesel with a five speed NV just like dodge.
The price on the ranger is very good compared to others like gear vendors. I have a gear vendors on my 89 F350 duelly (came with it) Previous owner paid about $3000 for full install and everything. It has to be disenguaged with backing up, simple flip of a switch, but is supposed to be the stronges one out there. They use them in RV's and race cars.
They even advertise that you can shift it under power as well as between gears, so you get inbetween gears in 1, 1od, 2, 2od, 3, 3od
it hooks up to a computer and is supposed to be automatic for the 3 to od shifting. Don't know yet, have to install new engine and finish body and paint.
Spotted 2 OEM overdrives at the pick-n-pull, both had manual enguagement and bolted direct to the C6 with FE's.
The price on the ranger is very good compared to others like gear vendors. I have a gear vendors on my 89 F350 duelly (came with it) Previous owner paid about $3000 for full install and everything. It has to be disenguaged with backing up, simple flip of a switch, but is supposed to be the stronges one out there. They use them in RV's and race cars.
They even advertise that you can shift it under power as well as between gears, so you get inbetween gears in 1, 1od, 2, 2od, 3, 3od
it hooks up to a computer and is supposed to be automatic for the 3 to od shifting. Don't know yet, have to install new engine and finish body and paint.
Spotted 2 OEM overdrives at the pick-n-pull, both had manual enguagement and bolted direct to the C6 with FE's.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
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big_i80; I have a 351 with a special grind hi-torque cam (don't ask me the details), but the ute towed an illegally overweight trailer every day for about 15 years with do driveline problems. In playtime it has exploded a couple of 9" diffs, but no trouble with the overdrive. The Ranger has always been used as a splitter between every gear. Advance Adapters should be able to give you a horsepower rating for it.
Torque blows gear cases apart. HP burns them up and melts them down.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 42
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True enough. The point is though, that I would expect the Ranger overdrive to be at least as strong as the rest of the Ford transmission. When the original 302 wore out Dad had the motor rebuilt as a 351, and a special cam ground to give maximum torque at about 1800rpm. It's a bit of a pig on the highway, but great in the bush.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Remember that the OD unit has to handle the torque multiplication of the transmission gears AND that of the torque converter on an automatic. Roughly this is 5-6 times the torque output of the engine for an automatic.