Originally posted by LONGBOX55:
BUT, I have actually seen light trucks with a 2 speed rear/tranny gear splitter. The last one I have personally seen was a '41 3/4 ton, never have seen on on a 1/2 ton.
IIRC, the stock 2 speed axle was available only on the 3/4 and up because of the whole torque tube thing.
Originally posted by rusthater:
just how do those 2 speed axles work?
They were vacuum actuated by a control lever down on the floorboards.
Also originally posted by rusthater:
how do i tell by looking and is it a good substitute for a 3.23 ratio normal 10 bolt axle?
Not sure. I've never looked at one, I just know that they existed (there's instructions on how to pull one apart in my shop manual for the '46). They typically had ratios in the 5.XX:1 to 7.XX:1 ranges (values varied).
It is an excellent substitute for the 3.23 Ratio axle, if you're planning on pulling stumps, hauling hugegantic loads, or changing the rotation of the earth.
If you're planning on driving the speedlimit on the freeway -- not so much.
As I mentioned before I'm not sure what tranny you've got, but it sounds like it acts like a four speed with a 2 speed rear end.
