The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline overdrive cable

Looking for info on the cable for my 55 chevy 3 speed o.d. that is in my 53 1/2 ton. How should i mount it in the cab. About how long of a cable will i need. Any other info about the cable that i might need. Thanks.

They are normally mounted on the lower part of the dash just to the right of the column. Most cables are from 48 to 60 inches long but can be tailored to fit your application. The Truck Shop in Orange, CA has reproduction Ford cables for about $50. Other aftermarket sources that sell Ford parts may have them also. If you don't need one with "overdrive" stamped on it, you can pick up a "T" handle cable at most auto parts stores.
Fred

Most all "T" handle cables do not have a long enough shank on the handle. When pulled out they come out of the housing and flop in the air.
Go with the correct cable. I used one of these recently.

for my od on the 40 it was mounted on the bottom of the dash left of the steering column. there were factory drilled holes already there for i dont know what so i used them. i had the modern blank pto knob. if i ever get the od back on im going with the one dave used

as for the routing of the cable id say where ever it puts the least amound of bend in the cable to decrease the friction factor. my cable went through the firewall where the main wiring harness goes through since i have ample room to run it that way plus it was right in line of where i mounted the bracket to the dash

If you want a virtually bulletproof cable for the overdrive, get a Chelsea PTO cable. They are much heavier duty that anything sold aftermarket or reproduction. They do need to be cut to fit for the length.

An HD cable is way overkill as there is very little resistance on the lever at the ovedrive. Fred and Dave have it sorted out, the important thing is to get one with a longer shaft.

regards,

Cosmo

how long should the shaft be.

Turns out this is a problem I was hoping to solve somehow, but thanks to Dave and you guys in general, problem solved. Thanks once again! How much better do you want? A chrome period correct looking handle with the word OVERDRIVE stamped on it. LOL! Maybe if they had one that returns you lots of cash every time you pull it. Nice!

I would not say the problem is solved. I was hoping someone could tell me how long the shaft should be so i would know what to look for.

I don't have the new cable yet, but I tried all sorts of cables and they had one of two problems. Either they were too short to reach from the dash.. to the OD with enough length to make easy turns, etc so that it didn't bind. OR, the throw was too short so you pulled the entire shaft out of the holder and had the whole mess dangling inside the cab. This was a real problem that I never solved until hopefully now. I will give you the dimensions if someone else doesn't when I get the cable. Of course nowadays, a remote control servo is a possibility, but I want the mechanical connection.

The HD cable might be overkill, but it will never break or bind up. I had originally tried using a standard Bowden cable, like what all the reproduction cable are. The first one I tried didn't have enough pull length, the second one had too much binding, to the point it was very hard to pull. The PTO cable does not suffer from this, pulls in and out smooth as could be. In addition, it was cheaper, at $35.

I really can't tell you what the length is, as I cut mine to fit. But when I get a chance, I'll see if I can measure what the installed length is for you.

I'm a daily driver only vehicle. I have used a cable just like this for ten years. I slipped graphite down the sleeve then 30 wt oil, flawless for ten years, never binds. Mine has a kerf in it to keep the "OVERDRIVE" label exactly east and west.

The whole overdrive cable discussion is over rated. Get one that works, leave it in overdrive, and drive it. I installed an OD in my 56 shortly after I purchased it in 96. I have yet to have an occasion to take it out of overdrive. You could wire the lever in position and accomplish the same result. Buy one of the Ford cables and move on.
Fred

I live exactly one mile from where i work. I don't even use o.d. on my 04 just going to work. So some people my not want to use o.d. all the time. I Want the flexibility of useing it when i want it. The way it's meant to be.

basham, I just measured the cable in mine. It measures out to 63" as installed, from the dash mount to the lever.

I went to napa and bought one with a locking T handle. I don't know if it will work yet but i'll give it a try. If not I'll just order the one from 5th ave. Not many choices most don't have a very long shaft. Thought about running it in the throttle hole on the dash since i won't be using a throttle. Any reason this wouldn't work.

If you want a cable with 'overdrive' on it, the fifth avenue internet garage has them.

I bought a T handle cable from an auto parts store to use on my 58. It is 60 inches long. After reading other posts on this site about the overdrive cables I ordered one from Van Pelt( Ford Parts). I got the cable yesterday ,it is 80 inches long and a lot bigger and stronger than the one I bought first.. It also came with a tool and instructions to cut it to your desired length. It was $59.00 plus $5.00 shipping. It's chrome with overdrive stamped in the handle.

The one from 5th Ave came in today. Its awesome! The length is about 78 inches and the throw is about 4.7 inches. The one that I had that didn't work so well had a 3.5 inch throw. It also wasn't long enough at 60 inches. This one is made for the OD unit so its going to be perfect. Worth the $50. Mine also came with the cutting tool. Probably the same one as above.