[Tubejunke]

It's real interesting I think how Ford engineered the manual overdrive. There is a lot more going on there than one might assume. There is a speed sensing device on the extension housing of the transmission that must send a signal to a relay when the proper speed has been achieved in order for the overdrive to function. There is a switch mounted to the gas pedal which is used for more or less a passing gear function. Interestingly, it kills the ignition for a split second to allow slack in the drive-train which is necessary for the planetary gear-set to disengage (or something like that). When I first bought this truck I was a bit weary of all or the quirky aspects of having this setup work properly, or the roll away issue, but after some time I feel very comfortable with the truck and with the price of gasoline I am glad to have it in working order. Inversely, if something goes wrong I can always lock OD out and use what is essentially a normal transmission.