Overdrive???

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   I wanted to get some thoughts on the idea of adding overdrive to our CJ3A.  My wife inherited her father's CJ3A a few years back.  He had done a frame of resto-mod on it in the early 1980s.  At that time, he installed a ford 2.0L (pinto engine) in the Jeep.  It was my understanding the reason he did this was he was looking for a better highway motor as they were living in AZ with bigger distances between things.  I believe this was a common swap at the time.  The Jeep served them as a daily driver for a while and then became a hunting jeep before finally being parked.
As her father passed, we decided to do a restoration on it while paying homage to him and his modifications.  What that means is we are taking it back to its original color but leaving the engine and some of his fabrication on the vehicle.  As it will still be a resto-mod at completion, I was contemplating adding an overdrive. I wanted to get some thoughts from others with more experience than myself.  I understand the Ford 2.0L is a high revving motor thus the reason for the original install.  As such, is the overdrive necessary due to this engine swap or is this just belts and suspenders?  My thought is this will make it a much better driver despite the motors high revving abilities.

I realize the many purists will be appalled at keeping the engine swap but it is our tip of the hat to him!

Thanks 

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AFBRAT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 05 Nov. 2013 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote AFBRAT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Overdrive??? Posted: 27 June 2021 at 11:59am
	I wanted to get some thoughts on the idea of adding overdrive to our CJ3A. My wife inherited her father's CJ3A a few years back. He had done a frame of resto-mod on it in the early 1980s. At that time, he installed a ford 2.0L (pinto engine) in the Jeep. It was my understanding the reason he did this was he was looking for a better highway motor as they were living in AZ with bigger distances between things. I believe this was a common swap at the time. The Jeep served them as a daily driver for a while and then became a hunting jeep before finally being parked. As her father passed, we decided to do a restoration on it while paying homage to him and his modifications. What that means is we are taking it back to its original color but leaving the engine and some of his fabrication on the vehicle. As it will still be a resto-mod at completion, I was contemplating adding an overdrive. I wanted to get some thoughts from others with more experience than myself. I understand the Ford 2.0L is a high revving motor thus the reason for the original install. As such, is the overdrive necessary due to this engine swap or is this just belts and suspenders? My thought is this will make it a much better driver despite the motors high revving abilities. I realize the many purists will be appalled at keeping the engine swap but it is our tip of the hat to him! Thanks

oldtime Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 12 Sep. 2009 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 4184	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldtime Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2021 at 12:11pm
	When operating at hiway speed , ideally you want the engine operating at its maximum torque output. As I understand it some (perhaps not all) of the pinto engines produce maximum torque at 3200 rpm. According to Grovers Willys Speed Calculater, 3200 will allow you to cruise at xx mph with standard 28” tires and 5.38 gears. 53 mph without OD 66 mph or with OD. You can fine tune the engine rpm/ exact speed via tire diameter
	Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B . T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963) Zero aftermarket parts

rocnroll Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13585	Post Options Post Reply Quote rocnroll Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2021 at 12:12pm
	It revs higher but lowering that 'buzz' will feel better at highway speeds (60-65) Mine was an automatic but the buzz will be the same with either tyranny.
	'47 CJ2A PU '48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common"

AFBRAT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 05 Nov. 2013 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote AFBRAT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 June 2021 at 12:28pm
	Thank you both. I was unaware of the speed calculator. What a handy tool! I played around with it and it does appear a better ride. Thanks