In an effort to improve the drivability of my truck I decided to install a late model (late 60's) Saginaw car transmission in my 58" Apache. Since I am not going to be pulling any cotton trailers or hay wagons I chose a unit with a high first and second gear ratio. (2:54-1st and 1:50-2nd) It was a very easy conversion and only required changing the drive shaft slip yoke and some minor tweaking of the shifter rods. I was amazed at how much quieter and smoother the new transmission is. Also, it is much nicer to drive in stop and go traffic. With the higher ratios I am able to take advantage of the bottom end torque the 235 produces by keeping it in 1st and 2nd gear longer. It has reduced the need to shift gears substantially.

Next I am going to install a gear vendors overdrive.