The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Shifting options

I have a 2ton '46 Chevy that has been converted a little. The 2-speed has been disconnected from the vacuum system and bolted fast in the hi position. A brownie box was added with a bubba cut job attaching it to a shifting lever that's a little out of place.

OPTION #1 If I attached the vacuum system I would have to rebuild the vacuum system (I haven't looked to see what needs done) and remove the brownie box and buy a one piece drive axle. Also this would remove the clunky awkward shiftier handle making it so much nicer than it is.

OPTION #2 or leave the brownie box, and still need to rebuild the vacuum system but I may be able to push that back for a while. And then replace the handle to make it a little more user friendly.

My question is:

Is there any advantage to having a brownie box or 2-speed on the rear?
Disadvantages?

I'm assuming it would be redundant to have both hooked up at the same time and not run correctly.

Both are good.
The auxiliary transmission was probably put in to give you an OD gear, check and see. If so you really should keep it.

Have you considered relocating the shifter and or bending it to fit better?

Did 46 have a manual or vacuum shifted 2 speed? I've seen some of that style truck with a shift lever for the 2 speed... that's simpler than vacuum if it's an option in your case?

Grigg

Yea, I'm looking at bending the shifter; I just need to look at it closer.

I believe it’s a vacuum shift; I can probably rig up a manual if I need to.