3 speed manual......w/ overdrive? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mjock · 02-10-2003, 06:11 PM

I have a 72 C10 with a 4/11 rear end and a 3 speed manual. Needless to say I'm screamin' on the freeway. I have heard that there exist(ed) an overdrive system that attached to the rear of the existing transmission after shortening the driveshaft. I can't find one anywhere though. Maybe I'm calling it the wrong name. Anybody got knowledge?

sniper2321 · 02-10-2003, 06:21 PM

it called a gear vendors overdrive. they can cost up to 3500 for a unit check ebay. the web for them is gearvendors.com hope this helps

Mike C · 02-10-2003, 09:14 PM

There was an optional electric OD on GM cars and trucks in the 50's and 60's. Ford had it as well. Made by Borg Warner. You can probably come up with one if you scrounge some old timey style yards. My buddies 55 Ford we redid had the OD in it as well as his brothers 65 BelAir. Both were I6 powered, but I think it was available behind the 8. Know it was in the Ford. They aren't real stout like the Gear Vendors, but they did work pretty well.

da-burb · 02-10-2003, 11:01 PM

I have one in a 63 ford Galaxie parts car. 3sp manual +OD and it is behind a 289 V8. I have seen several 67 C10's advertised with 3spd OD's.

I have also have an article about a mopar 3spd OD that is a relatively simple bolt in if you can find the tranny.

Longhorn Man · 02-11-2003, 12:33 AM

da-burb is correct, you could get tehm stock in these trucks...but not with a big block.
I hear they are not only week, but way obsolete and swap meet part only.
Been told they are not worth your time...but this is all 2nd and 3rd hand info.

crazy longhorn · 02-11-2003, 12:43 AM

There were 2 different versions of the 3 spd OD for the chev. The muncie (318) was a weak box. The saginaw(326) was not too bad a box, & would take a little guff. Back in the mid 70s there was an article in Hotrod mag, about mating the OD unit to a saginaw 4 spd. The parts were scarce even back then, so i didnt get to try one

, but the claim was they could handle a little weekend dragstrip use......if you werent using the OD while you were pounding the gears. My guess is as you said longhorn, the od unit itself isnt very stout.....crazyL

02-10-2003, 06:11 PM	#1
mjock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 14	3 speed manual......w/ overdrive? I have a 72 C10 with a 4/11 rear end and a 3 speed manual. Needless to say I'm screamin' on the freeway. I have heard that there exist(ed) an overdrive system that attached to the rear of the existing transmission after shortening the driveshaft. I can't find one anywhere though. Maybe I'm calling it the wrong name. Anybody got knowledge?

02-10-2003, 09:14 PM	#3
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,723	There was an optional electric OD on GM cars and trucks in the 50's and 60's. Ford had it as well. Made by Borg Warner. You can probably come up with one if you scrounge some old timey style yards. My buddies 55 Ford we redid had the OD in it as well as his brothers 65 BelAir. Both were I6 powered, but I think it was available behind the 8. Know it was in the Ford. They aren't real stout like the Gear Vendors, but they did work pretty well. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

02-10-2003, 11:01 PM	#4
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	I have one in a 63 ford Galaxie parts car. 3sp manual +OD and it is behind a 289 V8. I have seen several 67 C10's advertised with 3spd OD's. I have also have an article about a mopar 3spd OD that is a relatively simple bolt in if you can find the tranny. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

02-11-2003, 12:43 AM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	There were 2 different versions of the 3 spd OD for the chev. The muncie (318) was a weak box. The saginaw(326) was not too bad a box, & would take a little guff. Back in the mid 70s there was an article in Hotrod mag, about mating the OD unit to a saginaw 4 spd. The parts were scarce even back then, so i didnt get to try one , but the claim was they could handle a little weekend dragstrip use......if you werent using the OD while you were pounding the gears. My guess is as you said longhorn, the od unit itself isnt very stout.....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

02-10-2003, 06:21 PM	#2
sniper2321 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: S.E. Fla Posts: 185	it called a gear vendors overdrive. they can cost up to 3500 for a unit check ebay. the web for them is gearvendors.com hope this helps

02-11-2003, 12:33 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	da-burb is correct, you could get tehm stock in these trucks...but not with a big block. I hear they are not only week, but way obsolete and swap meet part only. Been told they are not worth your time...but this is all 2nd and 3rd hand info.



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