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Overdrive: Is It Worth It?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Cj5dale, Dec 10, 2022.

  1. Jan 16, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    I debated this very topic long and hard last year when I had two overdrives, one that would have fit my CJ5, and another that would have fit my CJ2A, but I decided not to install them because of the way I use these Jeeps.

    The CJ2A is mostly used driving around my little farm, with occasional drives into what passes for a town 3 miles from here. The CJ5 mostly for trout fishing trips driving along narrow mountain roads and sometimes fording streams, and occasional drives along the country roads out here.

    None of my Jeeps will likely ever see much highway travel, so both units found new homes where I hope they are being put to good use.
     
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  2. Jan 16, 2023
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Man if I had your money Fireball I'd burn mine. I can only afford 1 old jeep.
     
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  3. Jan 16, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Yeah but yours is NICE.
     
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  4. Jan 16, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Exactly!
     
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  5. Jan 17, 2023
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    That doesn't make sense. :confused: Having more Jeeps means being poorer.
     
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  6. Jan 17, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    That's been my experience.
     
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  7. Jan 17, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket.
     
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  8. Jan 17, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    It’s called being Jeep rich:D
     
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  9. Jan 17, 2023
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    I am not sure that to drive fast with a CJ5 is good, but an overdrive is useful to go with low rpm. Of course some Jeep are well rebuilt and can go fast, it is artistic.
     
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  10. Jan 18, 2023
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    It's a joke it's not supposed to make sense. J.E.E.P (just empty every pocket.
     
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  11. Jan 19, 2023
    windyhill

    windyhill Sponsor

    PA
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    Get it.
     
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  12. Jan 19, 2023
    1967 CJ5A

    1967 CJ5A Mike 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Raleigh, NC
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    With 4.88s I would call it nice to have, but not an absolute requirement. I went several years and tens of thousands of interstate miles without one. I typically cruise around 65 mph, which puts you at 3400 RPM with 31" tires. The Dauntless is perfectly happy at this speed, even if it may sound like a lot to the ear. I finally gathered up the cash for one, and it does quiet things down and improve MPG a bit. Worth it if you have the budget and expect to spend a lot of time at higher speeds or on group trail rides where gear splitting can be nice. But you can easily exceed sane speeds either way :D
     
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  13. Jan 19, 2023
    Old Paint Redux

    Old Paint Redux 1970 CJ5 225 Dauntless

    Pensacola, FL
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    I personally believe an overdrive is worth it. I have a Dauntless with 4.88s and installed a Saturn unit about a year ago and have put about 3,000 miles on it, primarily highway use. With the overdrive engaged the RPMs at 65MPH dropped from approximately 3500 to approximately 2600 (my small tach makes exact readings hard at 65MPH o_O). I can't attest to improved mileage because I only had my Jeep for a few months and drove it less than 200 miles before getting the overdrive but it had to help. I can say that engine and transfer case noise is noticeable reduced which must mean less wear and tear, and I believe that alone makes it worth it. FWIW I keep the overdrive engaged except when I pull a trailer or I go off road.
    -Martin
     
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  14. Jan 19, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    One point that seems to being missed here, it’s not just about top speed and rpm but also the ability to split gears to find the best speed/rpm combination for the conditions.
     
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  15. Jan 19, 2023
    Old Paint Redux

    Old Paint Redux 1970 CJ5 225 Dauntless

    Pensacola, FL
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    I agree. First gear in low range with o/d is the "Goldilocks" speed when I'm moseying around my property checking firebreaks, feeders, etc. - not too slow, not too fast, it's just right. :rofl:
     
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  16. Jan 19, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    This, 100%
    I'd say I use mine to split gears more than as an overdrive for highway use.
    Very handy off road!
     
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  17. Jan 19, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I worry about how much oil gets slung up into the catch in 1st and low range. Likely fine from stop light to stop light but several miles and less than ideal oil levels is not good.
     
  18. Jan 19, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    If the oil level is kept up, the oil scoop works fine, but it is certainly very important to keep the oil level up. I have encountered a number of overdrives which were destroyed due to lack of lubrication. Once the planetary gears or the hub are ruined it will cost too much to repair one.
     
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  19. Jan 20, 2023
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    THIS - when wheeling in a group it makes it much easer to match speed of the rigs your with. My SM465 has different splits than a T18, but I can run in 2.5 low when they are in 3rd and we have an even pace (or something like that - memory is fuzzy on exact gears).
     
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  20. Jan 20, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Irish whiskey...
    :whistle:
     
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