Option for an O/D trans with an FE

[two-bit]

Since i am running a truck with a 159" W.B., i figure i have some room to work with in my drive shaft length.
So i am looking into the costs of installing one of these in a divorced application.

http://www.high-impact.net/dualrangeoverdrive.htm

I can keep my FE, my NP435, and not only gain O/D, but extra gears for pulling heavy loads.
Just an option I thought I would bring up for your consideration.
It might not be real practical for a day driver/cruiser. However i think it would be great in a work truck for towing and heavy loads.

Two-bit

[70f350]

My Dad had one of these in his motorhome and never had any problems with it. They are pricey though. Have you looked at the Ranger overdrive units? I knew a guy who had a Ranger od in a 73 4x and he loved it. Gives you 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, you have to deal with another stick though.
Check these out.
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-31525_froogle.htm
http://www.fordification.com/torque-splitter.htm

[averagef250]

Have you searched around for an old brownie? I come across ones from the 50's and 60's now and then that are great for pickup size use. Most are under or under-under units, but you can install them either direction and if you find an under-under unit you can just remove one of the gearsets to make it two speed.

[Fordnatic]

I always wanted to find a brownie. I did hear that they are straight cut gears and whine pretty loud. Anybody know for sure?

[willowbilly3]

I had a nice small one in a 0ne ton International. It was a 3 speed with a deep reduction 1st which you really didn't use and a direct/over. I wish I still had it. I am on the trail of a couple of those small "browny" (Browning I think) trannys locally. I found a guy on ebay a few years ago that was selling them for 600-700

[Fordnatic]

I thought they had an over/under/direct. Was it straight cut gears with a whine?

[averagef250]

Straight cut do whine. The smaller ones I've seen have been "Brown-Lipe" a division of Dana-Spicer. They all had helical gears and were pretty stout inside. They're about the same size, a bit less height though, than an old truck 4 speed.

I've never actually seen one that was an overdrive unit. They were all underdrive units, but the only thing that really effects which way you mount it is the speedometer connection. You can put them in forwards or backwards. Just backwards the speedo won't read right when not in direct gear.

[70f350]

What trucks did the brownies come in?

[Redcap]

Straight cut do whine. The smaller ones I've seen have been "Brown-Lipe" a division of Dana-Spicer. They all had helical gears and were pretty stout inside. They're about the same size, a bit less height though, than an old truck 4 speed.

I've never actually seen one that was an overdrive unit. They were all underdrive units, but the only thing that really effects which way you mount it is the speedometer connection. You can put them in forwards or backwards. Just backwards the speedo won't read right when not in direct gear.

Granddad has an old gasser IH dumptruck with a 3speed brownie, under/direct/over. He also refuses to let me buy it.