A friend has this two speed drive line. Can anyone tell me what make, year and value it is? Anything would be of interest. Thanks,PK
Looks like a "Jumbo Planator" The limitation is they are a 2-1 reduction. The plus is they can be used with any T rear axle so you can use it with a early "clamshell" and keep the right "LOOK" from the back. They basically use T differential gears inside so they are quite repairable.
I will guess you don't have the shifter leaver. Similar to a Ruckstell but different.
Along that vein I have a "Universal" brand in my '13 for the same reason.
I would maybe go $500.00 for it.
Could one of these be used for a Ruckstell? Could come in handy for a speedster, to get a few more gearing options. Just being curious. Looks like a cool alternative to a Ruckstell if you wanted to keep a stock look from the outside.
Thanks Les,that is good to know. This unit does have the shifter and mount. How reliable are they? I live and drive in the mountains and need something that stays in gear and will take a lot of load due to steep hills. PK
Here's a recent thread showing the innards of a Jumbo Planator: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/366101.html?1370871637
Considering the low gear is a 2.5:1 reduction, the Planator with 2:1 is a bit low as an intermediate gear + you should have accessory brakes since any accessory trans can slip into neutral..
Now that's something that would be neat if someone would reproduce.
Just saying....
Pat
The basic reliability is fine, but I would not consider it good for driving LOOOONG distances in reduction, as you are basically using T differential gears WITHOUT and anti-friction (ball,roller)bearings. So to drive up a hill occasionally it is fine. I have owned one in the past (sold it with a car). As with any of these the key is wear on the shifter "dog" clutch mechanism. These parts can obviously be made new if jumping out of gear presents as a problem. Note I said "made"!!! Don't expect to find new parts anywhere.
Because of the 2-1 ratio (which makes it less useful than a Ruckstell), and the fact that any special parts will have to be made, that is why I figure $500.00 is a good starting point. If I could examine the insides I might spend more.
I agree with Roger that auxilary brakes are essential with this unit.
Jared
Using it with a Ruckstell!! Wow you would have a seriously LOW gear. It wouldn't be my choice. I could see using a BW or Laycock overdrive with a Ruckstell and maybe have the best of both worlds
What I have is a 4 speed sliding gear (with 4th being overdrive, 3rd is direct, 2nd is of course underdrive) used instead of a Layne/Warford
I have one on my Town Car, works well but the ratios are not quite a friendly as the Ruckstell. Indeed it does use Ford gears plus a large differential gear with larger hole and a sliding double ended dog clutch. I have a spare, mine was bad and I had a talented machinist make two.
By the way Roger, I think Ford low is 3:1, but it is a little low.
Larry
Please consider that it is about 1/2 as good as a Ruckstell.
IF you wanted to make a 2 speed in the torque tube then I suggest you use Ruckstell "guts". You get quality parts for a reasonable price, a REALLY good ratio, AND easy shifting!!!
Tony, I misremembered there - low gear is 2.75:1. Together with the 3.636:1 in the rear axle we have 10:1 total ratio in low.
Tony, I probably could make use of that gear. I have two of those on the bench about half restored for a guy in east Texas. I have all the machining done on the bushings, have to make a new shifter fork and a few more things. My gears are OK but a new one would be better. stanhowemt@aol.com
Could the internals be modified to make a 2:1 overdrive? Might only be useful with the 4:1 pinion.
Les,
Thanks for the information.
I have a Ruckstell for the speedster project I hope to build some time soon. The thought of something you could "bolt up" to a standard ford rear end is interesting in it's simplicity.
But there is a reason why so many Ruckstells were sold.
Larry
Kep
That would be one really high torque engine if it could push a T with a 2-1 effective gear ratio. It is tough enough pulling a 3-1 axle gear!!!!
Also as I said earlier the mechanism is not designed for really long life through the gears
Les, could you explain what you mean by "really long life through the gears"?Thanks, PK.
i think he means the gears are not intended to do much rotating work while transmitting torque or they will soon sound like a cement mixer.