Hey, there Maybe this a way to go for those whom still use the Saginaw 3 speed on the colum and wanna try something better ? While the manual three-speed remained the most popular transmission, Chevrolet made Warner Gear overdrive available for ½-ton 2.series trucks for the first time in 1955. Warner overdrive was, in effect, a two-speed planetary gearset inside the transmission tailshaft housing. Standard differential ratio with overdrive was 4.11:1 versus 3.90:1 with other transmissions. The 4.11 ratio gave an excellent launch, acceleration, and pulling power, yet the overdrive kept the engine quiet and rpm low during cruising. The driver could upshift into overdrive at any speed above 31 mph by simply lifting his foot off the gas pedal. To downshift, he engaged a switch by flooring the accelerator. Or the unit would downshift automatically at speeds below 27 mph. Overdrive reduced engine speed by 30 percent so that at 60 mph, the engine would typically turn 2,100 rpm in overdrive as opposed to 3,000 rpm without it. Fuel savings were equivalent. Martinius. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/booklets/5513topindex.htm
Overdrive Yes , it's a good thing to have but it has it's limits & cautions ~ if you forget to pull out the overdrive handle as you're Parking , then try to back up , you'll wreck it . FWIW , it was a 33 % ratio . You forgot to mention clutchless up shifting ~ very impressive to your friends who don't know about overdrive . They used this tranny up to 1962 , maybe a bit later in cars too so there used to be scads of them in older junkyards . By - passing the governor allows 2nd gear overdrive , this enables you to climb steep hills at reasonable speeds .
Re:Overdrive If you are gonna use your truck as a workhorse AND a highway cruiser,the expense of the overdrive may be worth it,but if its only going to be used on the street,a different set of rear end gears may be the way to go. BTW Nate,I once had a 52 Studebaker with overdrive and it was way cool to shift without the clutch,although you got Zero engine braking
