The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks unknown switches on '63 C10

My buddy just bought an all-original Apparently!) '63 C10 with inline 6 and 3-speed trans. There are 2 switches we do not know and we would like to gather some info about them before we touch them/use them, just in case...
First, there is a push-pull black knob under the dashboard, right of the steering column; this actuates a cable that goes into the trans. Previous owner said it is a free-wheel system in the trans, but did not know anything more. Can this be true? Why a free-wheel? How does it work?
Second, there is a switch that looks a lot like an interior light door-jamb switch mounted on the engine side of the firewall, it seems it would be triggered by the throttle linkage at or close to WOT. The wiring goes to an electric motor on the side of the trans: looks like an electric overdrive, doesn't it? The trans is also longer (between the main case and the tailshaft housing) than another 3-speed my buddy has. Is it an overdrive indeed? How does it work? When should it come on?
Any connection between the free-wheel and the OD?
Thanks!

I'm sure someone will come on with a better explanation, but "Free Wheeling" is Overdrive. I had it on a '57 V8 3100 forty some years ago.
Seems that I'd pull out the chrome OVERDRIVE t bar, then I either mashed the gas pedal or released to make the solenoid engage or disengage the O.D.... The O.D equipped trucks had 4.11 rears vs. the standard 3.9's .

I'll bet if you get yourself a 1963 Truck Operators Manual reprint it'll tell you how to operate the system...

Also, the guys in the driveline forum may have some answers. If you post over there I intend to follow. I want to learn of the answer as well. Sounds like an interesting option.

Page 18 of the 1966 Truck Owner's Guide explains the operation of the O.D.

After posting here, I was also searching online and I have found complete details and operation of this O/D trans!
I am sorry it is on a Ford site, but I am posting it anyway:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/overdrive.htm

Hopefully it helps someone else!

The cable is pushed in for the overdrive to engage and pulled out to disengage. The kick down switch is to disengage the OD temporarily similar to a passing gear in a vehicle with an auto trans. The overdrive will "freewheel" under 30mph when you let your foot off the accelerator. In normal driving when you are up to speed you let off the gas and it shifts into OD similar to the shift in an auto trans. If it freewheels above 30mph the OD is not working properly.There is lots of information on these transmissions on this forum.
Fred

This is an interesting subject in that with the thousands of pages of different 1963 literature I have, there's no mention of a 3 Speed Overdrive Transmission.

3 speed overdrives were available in cars and trucks through late 69/early 70. I just looked at some 1960 car manuals that I have and there is no mention even of a 3 speed. They do list a 4 speed, powerglide and turboglide though. Information on OD's is likely in a supplement as there were so many different models and optional equipment available. There are complete sections on OD's in earlier publications as more were in use and auto transmissions were not as popular.
Fred