Overdrive Choices for 60 CJ5

After having my CJ running for a very short time, I've already discovered the potential virtue of an OD unit. I've been looking at Herm's offerings. In general, it looks like the choices are Saturn, ATV, and (maybe, depending on availability) Warn / Husky.

Based on the opinions I've seen here, Herm is daMan, so I'm guessing he wouldn't sell anything that's questionable. But, the question is, assuming equal availability, which brand? Any factors I should be considering? Or, does it matter?

Due to unforseen circumstances, the CJ will not be the utility vehicle in the Ozark boonies as originally planned - it'll probably be a weekend, light use driver with occasional easy (by the standards of this forum) offroad use down here in the marsh. Keeping it just cause I like it a lot. The CJ in question is stock F-head, T90, D18, etc.

Appreciate the help.

 

You won't go wrong with anything from Herm. Be careful buying one from someone that you don't know, as it is hard to see wear on the inner bearings without disassembly of the unit. Just because it's clean, doesn't mean that it's in good shape. Regardless of where you get one, be very careful with the installation. Many of these have been screwed up by improper installation. Herm has the directions posted on his website.

 

Isn't ATV Herm's company?

Herm has a history page on his site - http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/id20.htm - I presume you've looked at that.

I think the availability isn't so great that you'll have a lot of choices. If you want a Warn or Husky, you may have to wait until Herm finds a suitable core. You could call Herm and ask him - supposedly he's quite accessible by phone.

 

I'd stick with a warn or Saturn for current and future parts availability....

 

What he said. Don't get into buying the oddball stuff that are near impossible to find parts for.

 

I went with the ATV that Herm built from a Warn. Herm has a great relationship with AA and has even helped them make parts for the Saturn OD. Either one would be a good choice. Personally I would just call Herm and ask him what he has for your Jeep and go with the most cost effective solution he has for you. If you found a good deal on a used Warn or Saturn I would still send it to Herm to rebuild. He has also been known to horse trade if you have one that wont fit your Jeep. When I ordered my OD from him, I also shipped him my transfercase. He rebuilt my transfercase, sold me the OD and the AA adapter for my SM420. It saved me some money buying it all from him and having it shipped all at once.

 

Wow - appreciate the quick response! Not being a hard core gearhead, Herm's parts and service reputation are a big factor to me - there's no doubt I'm doing business with him. I Just wasn't clear on the branding. After rereading Herm's site, I figured out that ATV is Herm's "house brand".

 

Yes, ATV = Hermco. I have one of his units on my 59 CJ5 with F head, T-90, D-18 and as I slip down the on ramp I drop it in OD at 45-50 MPH and everything just smooths out. And the only thing I hear is the whining of the gears and tires (nondirectionals) as I cruise along at 55-60 MPH. While four wheeling it's a charm to have so many gear choices. Yeah I spend a lot of time shifting, but my engine never races or bogs down.

 

Oh, and by the way,...... If and when you order from Herm tell him to include an extra star shaped snap ring (I know if it's star shaped it's not a ring, but hey, it's his parts so he can call em what he likes. Having a spare greatly reduces the risk of breaking the one that comes with the OD. These "Star" rings are made of unobtanium and it sucks to have your partially installed >$1000 OD waiting for a four dollar part only available from a shop in WA.

 

Thanks, Red. I'm the guy that will inevitably break, lose, macerate, or otherwise screw up the tiny, critical, part.