1968 Overdrive Tranny?

[kawasakifreak77]

I read somewhere that the GM verson taken from the three speed could be bolted on the back of thier four speed. Now how awesome would it be to find a way to put this behind a NP435! Someone should research this a little.... Then do a write up on it.

[l1k2gadd]

That 3 speed tranny looks like it is specifically designed as an overdrive unit.

Wow. This is something new to look for as these trucks come into my favorite wrecking yard.

Was this available and did it come in the small block 2WD Bumps in the 1969 through 1972 years or was it discontinued in 1968?

[willowbilly3]

I knew a kid that took a Chevy od unit and put it on the back of a BW 4 speed from a 63 Impala. It wasn't a huge thing but I suppose did require some machining.
The T85N has the R11 which is the stoutest of all that type of od. I would think a good machinist could make it fit but at what cost? And it would still free wheel in od. That tranny is plenty stout for normal driving. Wire the solenoid to a switch and have a 6 speed. Cool
These were put in trucks through 1972 I believe but I think some laws made them go away because they would roll away if not parked properly.
I have seen a few, darn few, but I know where a 67 with one is rotting into the ground in Texas.
I had one of those trannys rolling around for several years, paid $50 for it and sold it eventually.

[dangeRUSS]

I have a similar unit in a 55 Chevy that works great with the 265 V8. It freewheels below 40 mph and at higher speeds offers some engine braking. I have never felt out of control driving downhill in the mountains. I found one to put in the 58 F100 panel behind the 223 six.

The best thing about it is with the overdrive engaged at city speeds, you only need to use the clutch at stoplights, if you pause 1second after letting off the gas, it shifts just as smooth as with the clutch. I have a blast amazing friends shifting without the clutch, then blow their minds shifting into overdrive without touching the stick or the clutch:lol:


I would love to figure out how to fit one behind a NP435. I found an online article on how to set one up for split shifting a 3 speed effectively making it a 6 speed.

[AlleyCat]

The Borg Warner T85N was used by Ford, GM, Chrysler, AMC, Studebaker and others.It was around for many years until stupid people caused more stupid people to pass legislation to prevent it's use in new vehicles.

[dangeRUSS]

....until stupid people caused more stupid people to pass legislation to prevent it's use ....

Yup, the old 80-20 Rule - 80% of the trouble is caused by 20% of the people !

[spartman]

anybody have one they wanna try?

PLEASE?

[SportCustom]

My 70 was ordered from the factory with one and I just recently rebuilt the OD section and replaced all of the seals so there are some parts still out there for them. Great tranny.

[willowbilly3]

Almost all of the tailhousing style overdrives were built by BW. Chevy put theirs on their own 3 spped tranny in the cars, not sure on the trucks. They even had the same 6 banger version with the milled down input shaft. Ford also had a different one for some cars with that narrow bolt pattern like the early BW 4 speeds had. Those are all wimpy compared to the one from the F-100s

[carnuck]

Not stock, but there is another option called the Ranger box. It goes between the trans and bellhousing (yes, you read right. In FRONT of the trans) I was looking at putting one into the T18A I have (from a Jeep pickup) to improve on the 4.88 gears for freeway cruising

[kawasakifreak77]

I did some measurements inbetween the NP 435 & T85N, nothings even close (aside from the front) I really want to find a tranny I can hook a pto up to & have this behind it.

[willowbilly3]

I did some measurements inbetween the NP 435 & T85N, nothings even close (aside from the front) I really want to find a tranny I can hook a pto up to & have this behind it.

You probably should be looking in an old school bus for a 280 series clark with o/d 5th