open or closed drive line

O

olfarmer

Junior Member
On making my 40 pickup a better driver it was suggested changing out the four speed for a three speed transmission and changing the rear end gear ratio. In looking the parts I was wondering if it would be better to look for the 42 and up open drive line rear end and a three speed trans that would work. Is there any advantage to the open rear end verses the closed drive line. Any problems making the swap?
Thanks in advance
Mike
 
Mike,
With the closed drive comes the torque tube which is THE major
element in keeping the rear axle in place. It's certainly not an over-
whelming job to go to an open drive but either you switch to parallel
rear springs or keep your present rear spring and split the wishbones
then add an additional upper control arm blah blah blah.
In my personal experience I have a '41 pickup with an 8ba
and closed drive and it's golden.
I received your message on the private section of the Barn, I'm
not sure my reply went thru.....call or email when you have chance,
if you wish. 716 662 9159.....cas5845@yahoo.com
Charlie ny
 
The "78" case three speed center shift transmission can be found in the 39 passenger cars but they were used in pick ups from 1939 to 1950 so are still common. The work it takes to convert to open drive would be excessive in my book. The open drive transmission can be easily converted to the passenger car configuration by changing the rear mount to whatever one will work for you. The guts from any side load remote control car transmission from 1940 to 1948 can be used to fill the case.

Mac VanPelt has an excellent book on identification of gears and overhaul of these venerable old cog boxes. Check his web site for info.

Kerby
 
Open drive would be a load of work for no real advantage.

Just find a good 3 speed box, bolt it in and run your present axle.

Mart.
 
Check out the Mitchell Overdrive, either 26 or 36%.
 

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three speed transmission is good,,,open drives advantage is taking out transmission,,,to repair it or resurface flywheel or replace clutch which is a lot easier than enclosed driveline....I have owned both and prefer the original driveline....just looks alot cooler under the pickup!!
 
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