Ranger Overdrive Install Begins

[ShortBedF250]

I received the Ranger OD (made by Advance Adapters) and installation accessories today and will begin try to get the installation done within the next few weeks. I will also be rebuilding the NP435 so it will take a while.
I'm really impressed with the OD kit and thought I'd show you what it looks like. I'll provide more info on the kit upon request.

[flyboy2610]

Sounds like an interesting project.
The subject of overdrive comes up quite often, so keep us well posted, OK?

[Docholiday72tx]

How does that contraption work?
Does it bolt between the bell housing and the transmision, or is it the transmision?
Either way, Fly boy is right, this is something a lot of people will be interested in. So don't be stingy with the pictures or the install information.
It might not be a bad idea for a tech article as much as O/D comes up.
Doc

[heep70]

Yes, I would be highly interested in the installation process you will be going through. Could you write up a tech article and get some pics of your process?

A couple questions I have now is how much drive shaft do you need to remove and what about relocating the 435 stick. Do you have to cut a new hole in the floor pan?

[ShortBedF250]

I'd be happy to provide you with lots of info, opinions and pics as the project proceeds. Here's a couple of quick answers to your questions above:

Docholiday- The Ranger OD fits between the bell houseing and the front of the 4 spd MT (a NP 435 in my case). It does not replace the existing transmission. So I will have 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears. It is a fully-synchronized mechanical gearbox that is shifted just like a manual transmission - push in the clutch and move the shift lever.

Heep70 - The Ranger OD is 7-1/2 inches wide so that's how much drive rear shaft gets cut for a 2WD. If it's installed on a 4WD you also have to add 7-1/2 inches to the front drive shaft. The 4 spd MT gets moved 7-1/2 inches back so the rear support needs to be repositioned (I've already drilled the holes for that). I expect that the shift cane on the NP 435 will need to be modified because it will hit the seat otherwise. I expect to do some heating and bending and perhaps shorten the length (height) so it matches well with the shift knob position on the OD.

Probably the most complicated part of the install is to remove the front bearing retainer on the 4 spd MT and cutting off the portion that the clutch release bearing rides on. As you can see in the picture the Ranger OD comes with an input shaft assy that fits into the clutch just like the original transmission and then the 4 spd MT input shaft fits into the back of the OD unit. Real simple and basic.

More to come later. Regarding doing a tech article, I will do that gladly but you'll have to give me some guidance on how to prepare it for posting.

[willowbilly3]

I had a friend several years ago with one of these in a Chevy 1 ton. I drove his a good bit too. It had an electric shift. His shift lever was modified to be almost straight with no bends and also I think He shortened it some and had it rechromed. At the time you could get these units with direct and over or direct and under. His actually had the under, or 20% reduction for towing large trailers.

[ShortBedF250]

Update:
The NP435 rebuild and Ranger OD installation is done - finally. I've been putting some miles on the rig to break everything in and calculate some gas mileage improvements. So far - so good. The Ranger OD Torque splitter from Advance Adapters works great. I'm discovering that I use the split gears (2nd OD and 3rd OD) more often than I originally expected. I have a tech article almost ready to send to Keith with lots of pictures. Want more gears than you know what to do with? You gotta get one of these!

[heep70]

Can't wait to see the pics.

[hardtailjohn]

OHYEAH!!!!!!! I LIKE IT!!!!! Now we can have 3 levers to play with... just like a real truck!
John H.

[FORDification]

ShortBedF250 has sent me his well-written tutorial on the installation of his overdrive unit and it's the newest addition to the Technical Papers section:

Installing the Ranger Torque-Splitter Overdrive

VERY nice job!

[hardtailjohn]

Great job, Shortbead!!! I really like that o/d setup and especially the even splits between all gears!! Gonna have to get me one of those!!!
John H.

[granitestate68]

Nice job Shortbed,

Another great addition to the site

Thanks,

Lee

[4x4_Welder]

Not bad at all. How much did that thing cost?

[heep70]

Fantastic write up

[hardtailjohn]

Jared, I think it said about $1400 in the tech write-up. Kinda spendy, but I've wasted more than that lots of times... hahaha Gonna have to start saving my nickles!!
John H.