Anyone out there who can help me or sway me one way or the other? I cant decide between the T5 or a 3 speed O/D for the 59 Apache? One side of me wants the T5 hands down but my Traditional side says 3 speed with O/D!!!???
T5 is the new traditional. I have 3 speed autos in mine, one has a Gear Vendors behind it. My kiddo has a 4 speed granny box in his. The 3 speed overdrive will give you the full effect of the way it used to be, getting it working.
I'm sure opinions will vary, but I'd put a stock / period looking stick on a T-5 and never look back. Will it be 100% authentic? No. Will it make an authentic appearing truck much more fun to drive? In my opinion, absolutely.
Yeah, its like one of those situations where you keep flipping the coin until you get what you really want...thanks!
If you have an occasional overweight right foot, I'd go with the more-easily replaceable T5. But for slow-speed cruising around town, it's hard to beat a properly-working BW overdrive...
Yeah, ive heard some really good stories of properly operating 3 speed O/D. Not to mention they been around since the 30's! I think I'm going to save the 3sp O/D for a future All Original and/or All Stock Project and go with the T5 for now. I appreciate all the feedback, it definitely helped, thanks to all!
T5s aren't exactly weak. Their published manufacturer duty rating is not for shock loading, but continuous-duty. An F-body T5 will do quite nicely. I only took out my T5 so I could put in a T56.
If the truck was a factory 3 speed & all the linkage was intact I'd go 3 & over - otherwise it don't matter ...
I have a bunch of that three on the tree stuff from those old trucks...been meaning to put it on ebay...wonder if anyone wants it?
Got a t-5 in my 57 chevy pick up with a crate 350 warmed over a bit and I love it. welded old stick to new shifter and looks pretty stock. Great on the freeway. yruhot
I am over 100k miles on two B-W 3sp+od transmissions in my dd/ONLY vehicle '49 Chevy 1/2 ton. Great transmission that completely understands your 3.90 rear.
I have one of each and I think the answer depends more on driving style than traditional or not. The BW is a great cruiser trans with its freewheeling, automatic upshifts/downshifts and clutchless shifting. Second-over is my favorite ratio. Not exactly the trans you want for gear-banging. The T5 is great for more spirited rowing thru the gears and compression braking.
The old Saginaw 3 speed overdrive is not very stout It was not offered in anything bigger than a 283.
I have both, but for driving fun I have to go with a 3 on the tree. If all the column stuff is there then go with it, if it's already a floor shift then the T5 is better.
3 speed overdrive big on the fun factor for its unconventional methods of shifting gears. I've used several & still do. Stock engines only. T5 & be a lot quicker install compared to properly installing relays, wiring, kick down silinoid & lockout cable. Being different or staying traditional "3 speed o/d" ain't always easy & is usually time consuming but is period correct. Anytime you upgrade to a transmission 25-35 years newer "T5" it's gonna have some perks in this case availability, simplicity & strength in one internal package. Kinda like comparing 50's straight axle to later control arms, bias ply to radial, 6 volt to 12 volt. Most all builds have areas that compromise tradition at the builder/ owners choice but often allow the old rigs to cruise with today's highway minded autos. I kept the our 53 car's original 235 & added o/d to Saginaw 4speed & a 10 bolt rear using non traditional suspension up front , later model leaf spring mounts out back. Upgraded clutch & brakes too. Keeping external look & engine bay 1953. I like T5's & nobody's gonna know it's one if stick is swapped as said earlier. But as a matter of preference for normal "non rubber burning" driving I'll take the old 3 speed overdrive every time. But I sure ain't gonna put one on in something over 300 horsepower. I think it's cool some of these 40-70 year old Borg Warner units units are still out there getting used. Hang onto it & put it to use someday! Flux.
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