Chuck’s Borg-Warner Rancho Overdrive thread

[chuckyb]

This is also a great little investment to help you with that angle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T6YZ0K6/ref=asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Congrats on the first drive in 20 years.

Thank you, and thanks for the tool suggestion - I have one on it's way.

 

[jmhend]

Thank you, and thanks for the tool suggestion - I have one on it's way.

Yeah sir, that's what we are here for right. Helping each other out. Hope it helps

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[chuckyb]

Adjusted pinion

Memory is a terrible thing (mine anyway) so I checked my notes, which are usually better. I originally installed 2 degree shims, not four, per the OD PO recommendation. I ordered six degree shims and an angle meter separately. Shims arrived first so I went ahead and removed the two degree shims and installed the six degree shims in their place. Here are pictures with the six degree shims installed and the Bronco lowered back onto the garage floor.

The Bronco is currently with one of the local mechanics that I trust getting an alignment and general lookover on how I have bolted things together. He does not have an angle meter but says the pinion “looks good”. I’ll take measurements when I get her back home. To me, the rear angle at the pinion does look pretty close to zero but the front angle at the OD looks steep.

 

[garberz]

Keep in mind that the max angle of a 1310 cv joint is 28 degrees. So figure what angle it’s running at. From the pic, the drive shaft angle looks steep, because it’s so short. Rear pinion should be 1-3* less than the drive shaft angle. Pointing the pinion up too high to accommodate proper pinion angle can cause oiling issues with the pinion bearing. So there is a limit to how far it can be rotated. With 6* shims, it still should be safe.

Mark

 

[DirtDonk]

In pics #1 and #4 it looks just about perfect. In pic #3 however it still looks low.
Showing of course just how inconsistent angles look when viewed through a camera lens.

Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sears Muzzler muffler, have not seen one of those in a long time...
When you are done don't forget to trim the U-bolts.

I'm not afraid to run the pinion high. The thing that you have to watch is binding the U-joint on hard acceleration when you get some spring wrap.
People think there will be an oiling issue since the bearings isn't as submerged. The pinion support gets oil pumped into it. There is a feed hole at the top and the ring gear flings oil into the hole. As long as the ring gear is splashing in oil the pinion bearing has oil being fed into it.

 

[chuckyb]

Thanks guys, I’ll post up my angle measurements and keep fingers crossed that I don’t have another do-over with this. I found the Muzzler in Grandpa’s garage, new in the box. Looks like it was manufactured in 1983.

 

[chuckyb]

Angle gauge

Took off driveshaft and got some measurements. Looks like I still have some work to do as pinion angle seems greater than 3 deg different from the driveshaft angle. I think the OD yoke to driveshaft angle may be ok.

I have six degree shims and thinking I need to add the two deg shims back into the mix. Is a total of 8 shim acceptable to the rear end?

Thanks to @jmhend for the tip on Border Parts in San Diego area an original Rancho OD dealer. Still in business since the 60s - no more Rancho OD parts on the shelves but they sent me a cool bumper sticker. Seems like good folks.

 

[jmhend]

Took off driveshaft and got some measurements. Looks like I still have some work to do as pinion angle seems greater than 3 deg different from the driveshaft angle. I think the OD yoke to driveshaft angle may be ok.



I have six degree shims and thinking I need to add the two deg shims back into the mix. Is a total of 8 shim acceptable to the rear end?



Thanks to @jmhend for the tip on Border Parts in San Diego area an original Rancho OD dealer. Still in business since the 60s - no more Rancho OD parts on the shelves but they sent me a cool bumper sticker. Seems like good folks.

Super cool sticker, glad to see companies in business for so many years.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[chrlsful]

my B-I-L sold the kick down in this pic (C/H is actually S. Boston).

 

[Goodnight]

Late to chime in but in 1973 I had a 3-speed 1970 with the BW overdrive.... I loved that thing! On trips it would get 20 mpg with 3.50 gears. The only down side was free wheeling going down hill. Had to disengage to get any engine braking. Also, the short driveshaft had to be well maintained with first class components and more than regular service.

 

[fm742]

I had one of thse in my 50 willy jeep. Had 456 gears. I used it with a switch to activate the selonoid. You have to turn it off to go into reverse. Useing it with the switch eliminates the free wheeling.

 

[66ranger]

Borg Warner overdrive

I had a BW od unit in my 67 bronco many years ago.. Had a 351 w motor. The of worked great until I got on the interstate. It would overheat and fail after about a hour of 70+ running. I got pretty good at replacing the planataries and sun gear. I had a temp gauge on it and you watch the temp go up as you drove down the hi way. At about 300* it would destroy. Finally gave up and took it out. It’s in the barn. That unit is not made for more than about 100 hp. I wish you better luck than I had. Currently installing AX15.

 

[chrlsful]

the Ranchero (?Rancho?) was the goodun, no?
Oh yeah (duh) this one...

Was BW the only manufacturer (I seem to remember other co.s).
Could the bronk get one ordered & put in by dealer when picking up or did U take it
dwn the road to another guy?

 

[chuckyb]

Rancho overdrives for the Bronco and Jeeps were made by Rancho Jeep supply using the Borg Warner OD with an alloy adapter made to fit the Dana 20 transfer case. It was a dealer accessory beginning in 1968. From the research I had done, only a few dealers at most had them.

 

[chrlsful]

Od

...supply using the Borg Warner OD with an alloy adapter made to fit the Dana 20 transfer case. It was a dealer accessory beginning in 1968. From the research I had done, only a few dealers at most had them.

Yes, NW usa. OK, thnx.
No other co. made these 'small time' style ODs? (I know there were some for bigger rigs, non-4WD 'trucks').

 

[chuckyb]

Yes, NW usa. OK, thnx.
No other co. made these 'small time' style ODs? (I know there were some for bigger rigs, non-4WD 'trucks').

There were other competitors to Borg Warner making overdrives back in the day, but I am not aware of any other "vintage" bolt on solutions for the EBs.
I think there are some other more modern OD solutions available for the Bronco, especially if you are getting rid of the stock manual three-speed. However, I am no expert. It's probably best to do some searches on this site to see what others have come up with.

 

[1966_Jeep]

BW OD reliability

Great discussions here! Probably the reachest thread about BW OD on the web!

I'm also considering intalling a BW OD on my jeep, but I'm concerned about reliability. I currently drive on a 327+TH400+Dana20 which is almost an indestructable setup.
Anyone has other feedbacks about reliability to share?

What about Gear Vendors? They don't sell a Dana 20 setup, but an adapter similar to Rancho's/BW R10 sounds like the perfect setup ever. Any thoughts?

 

[Sporto]

Great discussions here! Probably the reachest thread about BW OD on the web!

I'm also considering intalling a BW OD on my jeep, but I'm concerned about reliability. I currently drive on a 327+TH400+Dana20 which is almost an indestructable setup.
Anyone has other feedbacks about reliability to share?

Well from some of the research and conversations that I have had, the B/W OD does not hold up well from higher power applications and at high speeds, but other than that it seems to be a pretty solid solution. Also the Rancho O/D adapter is different between Broncos and Jeeps. Even though it is for a D20.

Good luck

Rich

 

[chuckyb]

Well from some of the research and conversations that I have had, the B/W OD does not hold up well from higher power applications and at high speeds, but other than that it seems to be a pretty solid solution. Also the Rancho O/D adapter is different between Broncos and Jeeps. Even though it is for a D20.

Good luck

Rich

Agree with Rich based on my research also. Seems like the electrical aspects are more prone to failure than the mechanical aspects but fairly easy to address. However, some mistakes like running it in reverse can be catastrophic.