The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Truckstell Overdrive Cable

I thought I would put this here as I have a want to buy request in the swap meet. Would anyone have detailed pictures of the internals of the Truckstell cable? I know I can operate the overdrive with a PTO cable, but would like to incorporate the automatic kick out feature of the original. Any pics of the internals or even detailed drawings would be helpful. I do have photocopies of the original installation instructions, and other documents, but they are of very poor quality. I am also open to buying a cable. Thanks, Jimmie.

Jimmie,

What year and size truck are you asking about?

Mike B

First, thank you for the reply. The overdrive came out of a 53 1/2 ton pickup. I plan on putting it in a 52 1/2 pickup, both are Chevys. The tag on the body of the overdrive states that it a 151 model.

I am still looking for info on the Truckstell overdrive cable.

Jimmie D,

Are you looking for the automobile Tip-Toe-Matic cable?
I do not think it was made for a truck?

My understanding is that the car cable set-up had to adapted/kludged/fiddled-with to work in the truck?
I recall that the "adaptation" was to kludge/fabricate a "cable-pull" for the truck application?

discussion/links in an older thread

If a hand-operated cable is an option, adapting one of the push-pull cables like a PTO has might be a possibility. The cable doesn't know or care what's on the end of it.
Jerry

Tim and Jerry thanks for your response, The way I understand it the model 101 was for 49 and earlier cars as far as I know it did not have the tip toe matic feature, and had to be fudged to make work in a truck. The model 106 was for 50 and later cars and trucks with three speed column shift, and had the tip toe matic feature. This cable set up had a spring loaded housing and a lever that clamped to the shift control rod to "automatically" kick it out of being engaged when shifted into reverse. I could set it up with a PTO cable and use it, but for the cost of these rare units, lack of repair parts, I would really like the later original cable, so I don't accidently shift into reverse, and destroy the Sprague clutch or the tangent spring. So even if I could get a non working cable to look at it would at least give me a starting point. Thanks again, Jimmie.

Information on the Model 103 (I cannot find a model 106).

Images of a 101 that was installed in a 1950 truck are attached below.

My understanding is that the cable attachment had to be fabricated "by owner/installer" for use in a truck.

I'll keep looking.

Added (3:23 pm) : Discussion of Model 103 on Inliners Forum (a image of a schematic is attached).

Added (3:30 pm) discussion of model ?? on ChevyTalk forum

Thanks Tim, I have scoured the internet for info on Truckstell, and every permutation of it I could think of. I have found copies of exploded views, and the installation manual online. I did get nice clear exploded view copies, but all the other documentation looks like it was run off with a defective mimeograph machine LOL. The gentleman I purchased the OD from is into Facebook ( I am not ) Told me there is the equivalent of these forums dedicated to 1947 to 1954 Chevy trucks. I guess I will go there, and see if there is something the swap meet there.

BTTT

Jimmie,
Could you please restate the question, or what you're still looking to learn?

JImmie,

If you think there was a version that worked on trucks, Model 106, maybe someone here has the documentation?

And/or, post a Want Ad for that documentation and part in the Swap Meet.

Tim,
The later model 103 was developed for cars and trucks from 1947 on. There was a change in either the overdrive or the way the three speed shifter was manufactured that allowed the use on both cars and trucks. I have copies of both the installation manual, and the service manual, plus several ads for the OD. I have even gone to the U.S Patent Office and gotten drawings of the OD unit. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate a scale drawing or the specifications sheet for the part(s) I want. I would like to ultimately restore the OD to full operational capability. The original owner rigged the OD to lock down the freewheeling portion of the OD, and probably just engaged the OD in top gear with a cable. I did put a want ad in the swap meet forum, but it got so few views I removed it to save space on this server. The installation manual has pictures of the linkages, but again not to scale, and not real clear, and oddly enough the installation manual expects you to have the parts at hand. LOL. I was a little bit surprised when I got so little reaction to my postings, as this is one of the most knowledgeable websites for Chevy trucks. Plus there a lot of members on the eastern part of country, and that is where the majority of these were sold - according to what I have found. I will post a better worded request in the parts wanted forum and see if I get better results.

Jimmie D,

Can you post an image of the part you are looking for?

Do you think you could fabricate the part if you could borrow the part?
If someone has the part, but does not want to sell it, would you pay to ship it to you (and provide a $$ deposit) and then return the part?
If yes, post an ad in the Swap Meet.

You are correct about not seeing many posts here by members who have installed this unit.

I see you have already posting a want-ad.

If you will take (and return) a loaner, you might want to indicate that in your ad.

Good luck.

Tim, I will edit my post to include your suggestion. And thank you for an option I had not thought.

I thought I would bump this back to the top. It has been 9 months, and I am still in search of the proper cables and small parts I need for the model 103 Truckstell overdrive. The knob in the second picture Tim posted is what I am looking for. And as I said previously even detailed photo's or drawings would help. I am also looking at spring loaded PTO cables to see if one could be made to work. I would appreciate it if someone could help with this little problem.

I'd be happy to assist if you were a little bit closer to Tennessee. I don't think I'd be able to smoke enough Colorado wacky weed to make the commute worth the trip!
LOL!
Jerry

Well, Jerry I guess I could send you a "care package" From what I hear the stuff they sell now, you wouldn't ever notice the commute. Shoot, you might even lose the state of Colorado! LOL. Jim