Anyone have a Gear Venders O.D.?

[gkgeiger]

I really want an overdrive. I'm concerned about buying a used Columbia, which I haven't been able to find anyway. I know about Mitchell and will consider one, but was wondering if any of you guys have tried a GV unit?

[gkgeiger]

I forgot to mention that I'm running the stock '39 box and closed drive.

[Old Redneck]

I had one in a Chevy Van a 1988. It had a lot of play I though. Maybe they are better now. There a lot of cheaper way to go just as good. Lloyd Young in OhioMakes one that goes in the driveshaft. I have one in my 33 and its great. Been in there for 15 years or so.I think less then $2000. Call him 614 837 7832 Canal Winchester, Ohio 7832 then there other ways a Mitchell is great also. A Columbia I like also.

[CarlG]

You might want to consider the F150 4-speed OD tranny. Works great in my PU.

[gkgeiger]

Originally Posted by CarlG

You might want to consider the F150 4-speed OD tranny. Works great in my PU.

Carl,
Beleive me, I've thought about all options. I had T5 in my '36. It was great but required a engine trans adapter, a different cross member, open drive shaft, some way to secure rear end (in my case parallel leaf springs). I just want to remove the drive shaft and install an O.D.

[jhtdon]

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I have one in my 50 Shoebox hung behind a C 4 and a 302 Y Block with a McCollough Super Charger, love it.

Cheers, Don

[Kahuna]

I have one installed in my 32 Tudor, behind a four speed toploader transmission. It's a great unit, but it is open drive, which you don't want. There are a few fellows that install a Volvo OD (which is the precurser to Gear Vendors- Gear Vendors owns all the equipment and designs) into an existing driveshaft.
You will have to do some research on the A forum. Also, Gear Vendors may have just what you want-- but expensive. Call them

[john in illinois]

You can use an F150 transmission with a closed drive shaft. You need an adapter and shorten torque tube,driveshaft and rear radius rods an inch or so. Kits are available.

Like Carl ,I have one in my model A.I like the all synchro gears and no extra levers. The disadvantage is you can't split gears like a separate OD.

John

[gkgeiger]

Thanks John, I just replied to a PM from Carl. Very interested in more info.

[31chevy]

I have the one that REDNECK refers to in my 31 chev works very well. Another nice thing is that you can remove the tranny without removing the differential or engine. I'm not sure he is still in business he was getting up there in years when I met him about ten years ago. He has quite a collection of antique tail lights which are mounted with light behind them, among many other cars etc. My OD is a Borg Warner.
Gary.

[Bob C]

Here's a pic of the F150 conversion Miss Victoria makes.

Bob

[Charlie ny]

gkg,
Coincidentally I happen to have a complete Columbia rear and a 3:54
rear end, '37 to '40 style. I built the 3:54 rear for my pickup, then unearthed
enough new parts to rebuild the Columbia....thanks to Dan Krehbiel in sunny
Calif....so I built that one as well. This spring the good Lord willing I'll install one
or the other in the '41 1/2 ton.
For more exciting details try me at [email protected]
Charlie ny

[klicker]

Gv are great units, but probably overkill. They are made for race cars and trucks/rv

[Chisel]

Does the wishbone need to be split to install a T5 or an F150 transmission in a 32 to 40?

[phat rat]

GV units are way tougher than you'll ever need behind a flattie. I have one in an 85 GMC CC dually used for towing. It has a 489" BBC with 4 spd and I pull a 34 ft car trailer with it. Full throttle shifts don't hurt it and it certainly isn't loose. When it shifts it's just like an automatic with a shift kit, firm.

[john in illinois]

Chisel, split for T5 not for F150.

John

[37don]

Hi Gene, Just info but I installed a Mitchell about 6 yrs ago and it has been flawless. A family owned business and when you call you talk to Sue Mitchell or her son. It was a great choice for me and almost 30000 mi without a hitch of any kind.
Regards, Don

[Pete pa]

I have the Columbia in my 40 deluxe business coupe and it works very well. And in my 39 deluxe coupe street rod I have a 302/c4 and Gear Venders overdrive and love it. In auto mode it shifts into overdrive at about 40 mph and as you slow down it shifts down to direct drive. In manual mode you can split each gear with the floor mounted switch and these units can handle over 400 hp. No shifter to install in the floor, no cable, no speedometer compensator, no vacuum lines just two wires to the solenoid and mount the brain box and switches and have the drive shortened . I don't know if they make a adaptor for the flathead. Give them a call the number I have is 800 999 9555 they are in El Cajon, CA.

[Cartravel]

I have a Laycock J-type overdrive in a Model T speedster. I love it, since all I have to do is flip a switch to shift it. Various models of these overdrives were used in many European cars starting about 1950. The J types came out in the 70's and were used in Volvos until about 1990. They are readilty available, because Volvos are not highly sought after. There are a couple of guys that will install one in the middle of your torque tube, but they usually have a backlog.

[johnschultz]

one on ebay right now, mitchell, can be used with closed driveline with mods. Excellent results in my 34 phaeton