Saturn Overdrive? Yes/no?

Hey all I saw a show where they put us at an overdrive in an old flat fender jeep. Has anyone else had success with these? They seem a little pricey but for these three speeds on modern roads seems like it may be a good investment.

 

Might do a search here for Warn/Saturn overdrive. Tons and tons of discussion.
A lot of it depends on what engine, tire size, axle gear ratio, and terrain you have or intend to use.

 

I put one in my 64 with a good strong F head. Good investment. You can split gears, Very useful.

 

Tons of them are run. It will allow you to bring your highway RPM down. Possibly increase highway speed. They aren't a be all fix all though. You cant make up for lack of horsepower. Your 198, depending on axle gears may benefit from one. Made right in Paso Robles @ Advance Adapters, previously made by Warn and another Co. .

 

Yes they are pricey, but in my opinion worth it depending on gear ratio and how you will be using your Willys. I have one in my '46 with L134 and 4.88 gears, it's a real pleasure to drive. Planning on getting one for my '71 which also has the 4.88 gears, just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

Axle gears and engine power are determining factors. An F-head running 4:27 gears is what I consider the outside limit to run an overdrive. Lower gears (higher numerically; 4:88,5:38) would definitely benefit from an overdrive.
If you have a V6 with 4:27 gears (or higher numerically), I would say you would benefit. If you have 3:73 gears, an overdrive probably isn't worth the cost.
-Donny

 

I run a buick v6 odd fire, 5.38 gears and 35" tires. I have plenty of power and run about 3400 ,or so, RPM at 55~60. I do almost all my driving in the city and the fastest i generally go is 45MPH. I would love one for an extra shifter, but honestly I just don't need it. If I ran more highway, I wouldn't think twice about getting one.

 

The most benefit from an overdrive is cruising around town in 2nd over at about 30 mph. When you really need an in between gear it is handy. As mentioned above, only really useful with 4.88 or lower gears. The new Saturn od has much better quality parts then many of the original Warn ones did. Some of the quality control was non existent at times for Warn over the years.

 

If you have a Jeep with 4.88 or 5.38 gears, this is the single best modification you can make IMO

 

My F134 has 4:27 gears and the OD is very useful.

 

I have an overdrive in my cj3B, and in the cj6. The fhead in the 3B is marginal for speed, but splitting gears, as in 2nd over, going up long hills really does help.
In the cj6, it lets me keep up with most other traffic, even up to 60-65 mph.

 

My dad and I installed a Warn OD in my ‘71 CJ in about ‘73, the first real modification to a vehicle I was involved in. I still have the take off cover, gear and original instructions. I started driving it regularly in ‘79 and have never looked back. The around town and freeway manners are great. With my 225 V6, 4.88’s and 33’s I’m at 2400 RPM on the freeway; keeping up with traffic and have zero issues with acceleration. Off road, I don’t use it much as it’s not needed. I will eventually install the BOP T350 trans I’ve had for about two years, and fully expect to remain as satisfied.
Do it... the Saturn won’t get any less expensive in the future.

 

Before I installed one on my '47 the engine sounded like it was going to come apart at ~45-50 mph. After that the thing would comfort cruise over the Cascades at 55-60...windsh wind down of course lessdrag that way.
Jeep has 5.38, L head, tall skinny radial tires

Looking to get one for the '70 5, it has the f head with 5.38

 

V6 with 33" tires. When I re-geared to 5.38 I installed one for better highway performance but discovered I love it because now I've got a six speed!

 

Worth every penny. I couldn’t imagine driving my Jeep without one.

 

I had a 64 CJ-6 that I had swapped a Chevy 283 into. I ran the original 5.38 gears with 12x15 Gumbo Mudders and the Warn overdrive gave me decent highway RPM as well as allowed me to split the gears. Hell, I had 4 reverse speeds!