Mystery Shifter in M38A1CDN2

[Mike Baker]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

But I have a second question, my `49 Lincoln has an overdrive and it needs both a mechanical engagement as well as an electrical one of the reasons is the car won't backup with the overdrive engaged (the electrical speed sensor and solenoid auto disengage the OD below 23 MPH) how does the Jeep OD work with only a mechanical engagement lever or does it have the speed sensors as well?

Speaking as a layman, I think a Warn OD just changes the gear ratios, so it can be used in any gear - even reverse. Is your Lincoln an early automatic? I think most automatics nowadays are like that too - OD only engages at highway speeds.

What I've read thus far on the Warn is that it is highly sought after by early CJ5 owners because it increases fuel efficiency, especially with mudder tires.

So the more I discover about my own truck, the more I am thinking that whomever bought it at auction in '87 started to convert it into a mud buggy but never finished. So while I would not have bought an OD to install myself (it isn't my daily driver), I will probably leave it on now that it's there. Few outside this forum would know that it isn't supposed to be there, anyway.