I just bought a 1948 Fleetline Aerosedan with a Truckstell Overdrive. I've read all the threads on here and other sites looking for more information, manuals, or instructions. I'm concerned about using it because of the warning to never forget to disengage before using reverse. I think that the #103 version had something to help disengage the overdrive automatically but it doesn't look like the #101 has that feature. How does it disengage? Does anyone have the instructions or service manual for a Truckstell overdrive #101? Thanks.
Here's another one for sale http://www.ndsra.com/swap-shop Should be an operating cable fitted to underside of dash beside steering column from a quick Google?
It does have the operating cable under the dash to the left of the steering column. Still looking for a service manual or instructions. Thank you.
More googling. The Truckstell unit is a Tip-Toe-Matic overdrive offering .78 OD taking a 4.11:1 gear and converting it to 2.92:1. Unit bolts onto the transmission and then slips onto torque tube. There are 2 cables, the actuator cable with the reverse kick down and the throttle linkage p***ing kick down. The rear mounting flange and lobe attach to the column shift for the reverse kick down. They were apparently offered for only 2 years, models 101 (late 40s) and 103 (early 50s)? When the overdrive is engaged the vehicle will not go backwards. (Don't try it or it won't let you, who knows) All mechanical, no electrical solenoids that can fail. The Truckstell doesn't replace the torque tube, you have to cut yours and modify the prop shaft, as per the instructions that I can't seem to locate. It appears that when the main lever is engaged, the overdrive gear kicks in automatically when the transmission is in top (high) gear. The original linkages were connected to the clutch and gas pedals, giving further options to engage or disengage the unit. First of all the Truckstell is older than the BW unit so no patent get-arounds were in play for Truckstell. There is no Free-wheeling on a Truckstell, therefore the necessity of 2 cables is not there. The second (smaller) cable engages the "tip-Toe-Matic" portion of the overdrive. the theory is that you back out from you driveway and get rolling down the road and then pull out the big cable and engage the Truckstell. Now with the use of the mechanical spring inside the unit,it will shift automatically into OD at a set speed. (35 mph-ish) OK, so now you have a stop sign coming up-you push in the clutch and the small cable is actuated returning the Truckstell to direct drive. If you hit the brake, equally you would be returned to direct. The unit has a hill holder feature which prevents the use of reverse in OD. That is what the big box and spring is for. When the driver puts the shift lever in reverse, the entire unit is dumped out of "potential overdrive"(my term) Now the process begins again. If you are in OD, you can certainly use engine braking in any and all modes at all times. No freewheeling. I am not familiar with the BW's but I surmise that they are not alike in any meaningful way as to parts interchangeability. Truckstell sought to distance itself from BW in it's literature and touted it's much stronger design as a sales tool over the BW's. I have a truckstell in my '45 GMC 1/2 ton truck with floor shift. I did not utilize any of the brake or clutch rods, nor does the small cable come into play. I had a custom big cable made by California Cable for the actuation of the Truckstell and I essentially use it as a top gear. The unit has helped to propel my truck to outrageous speeds along with a 3.55 ge****t and healthy 302 GMC inline 6. I do have the original small cable and have a lever hooked to it on the stick shift. To date I have not been able to make the tip toe matic portion work for me, but the unit with it's speed advantage, lower rpms and hill holding ability makes it very worthwhile for me in spite of not having the TTM feature. It took quite some time for me to obtain the paperwork the these units, but finally a friend hooked me up. Buenos Aires was going to post another auction for them, but never got around to it. We were in the dark when we actually cut the torque tube, but shortly thereafter, the newly received paperwork confirmed our measurements as to the cut. I would simply recommend that you install the unit and have a blast. You don't need to find the hard parts. If you do, great! If not, you're still using the Truckstell. (PS, the plunger does need to be "in" for the OD to work, if you elect to mount it like my setup. The big cable is simply In or Out)http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/175613/post/last/ I could only locate these. The manual is 25 pages however I can't locate it on interweb so far. It has information including explode view, cross-section, installation and trouble shooting information. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/truckstell-overdrives-school-me.262785/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search/12704080/?q=truckstell&o=relevance&c[node]=5
Borg-Warner OD was in use as early as 1935. The Truckstell comes on the market some time after WWII. Customer's torque tube & shaft were to be sent to Truckstell for setup & returned ready to reinstall - at least no mention of field installation in the 101 literature. I bought a '52 Fleetline with a 103 in '68, started trying to find out what to do to fix it, as all it did was freewheel. I'm 21, just starting as a line mechanic, & learning to find the old timers if you're having trouble. ALL old mechanics hated them for a variety of reasons, none of which had much to do with the OD unit itself. The one I had was hooked to a pretty stout '54 261, and I ate axle shafts, u-joints, & transmissions, but never hurt the OD. Never got it working, either. The only control left was the in/out cable. Some time around '53 or '54 the company is sold or combined with Jumbo Equipment (?), a heavy truck parts outfit. That company and Hendrickson (sp?) suspension are related. If there was any interest, I could run a couple 101s & a 103 thru the cl***ifieds.
Johnny, According to the 101 service manual, the 101 had an overdrive kick-out feature when putting trans. in reverse. "Back in the day" I had two Chevys with the Truckstell overdrive. they were great. Also, I have a copy of the Service Manual for the 101 model. I could probably scan it and email it to you. Ray
My husband and I are getting ready to pick up my 49 Chevy 3500. It has a tip-toe0matic overdrive in it. I see that you have a Service Manual and was wondering if you would be willing to e-mail me a copy of it?
sorry to bring up a dead thread guys, but i had recently adapted a Truckstell overdrive unit to my ford torque tube. Now the problem is that I can't get the "OD" to engage properly while using the truck even though it bench tested fine with out the plunger setup. I am curious as to how these work and if so can I find a plunger and have it engaged constantly? so all I have to do it pull the big lever in an out to use it as a top gear?
Younggun1 lets see some pictures. i planned on doing the same thing a few years back but sold it off.
it was definitely a undertaking but it worked out, other than the fact im still trying to get the OD to engage.
Did you ever get the Truckstell working? They are simple OD units, but configuring the controls can be frustrating.
It's been a long time since I have been on but I did eventually get the OD working. I made a plunger to go in place of the break bar housing so when that pull OD cable it will be engaged.
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