Hey guys,
I've got a shot at a 69 F100 reg cab and bed with the 300-I6. The guy says it has a 3-speed column shift tranny with OD. Never heard of this. Is there such a beast...the OD tranny with column shift, or is he maybe talking about a two-speed rear axle? I've owned a 68 and 69 with 3 on the tree, but not any OD. Any input is appreciated.

 

i belive that some were equiped with like a secondary transmission that would kick into another gear after it got above a certain speed. if im wrong, somebody correct me but i belive this is right.

 

TLN: Yes, there was a 3 speed OD offered, and I believe the last year was '72. Run a search on Warner OD, or the Warner T-85N in the 61-66 forum where I've posted several times on this.

My '66 F-100 has the OD unit, and I really like it.

Ford only used the Warner T-85N 3 speed as an OD unit in the trucks. Other 3 speeds were usually the plain jane Ford 3 speed. There were other OD units offered in the cars, and the difference was in the size and strength of the OD unit. You can tell by the OD unit casting number. It it is R-11, it is the heavier duty truck unit. If it is the car unit, it will be R-10.

If you have the OD tranny, look on the passenger side for the casting number T-85N as that is the dead giveaway. There will be extra electrical circuits, with a relay on the firewall, a switch under the accelerator, and two electrical devices on the back of the tranny, one on each side.

There will also be a lock-out cable in the cab, on the left under the dash. It looks like a small version of the T-handled parking brake. It is used to hold the transmission in standard mode, without letting the OD engage.

Here are some links which can help ID the thing for you, and give you lots better info than the typed word.

http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/over/drive.htm

http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/how_to.htm

Hope this helps, and post back if you've got questions!