THANK YOU... And Need help identifying this truck

[Mike Caldwell]

A "two speed" axle allows a medium truck with only 4 or 5 transmission gears to operate in low range in the field and high range on the road.

Trucks (such as the flathead powered Fords I learned to drive in) that are seriously underpowered can also use the two speed to "split shift" -- tranny in 1st, axle in low, shift axle to high, then shift trans to 2nd and axle to low at same, time, repeat through 4th when you might be making 45 mph

Here's a good video of how a two-speed axle works and how to shift it.



If link doesn't show up just do search for "two speed truck axle" and you'll get a lot of options!

[BillT]

Just to add a little extra "Split Shifting" can be and is also commonly used in all kinds of trucks that have 2-Speed Rears.

I would split shift my 478 with the 5 & 2 all the time. Although I also wished that truck ('62 6500) to have the optional 8-Speed Road Ranger that was available back then.

[POWERSTROKE]

Yes, RoadRangers trump 2-speed axles and Brownies, no question about it. It's NOT a REAL TRUCK unless it has some kind of knob, switch, or button on the gearshift lever or knob to split shift. On 13 speed RoadRangers you win big with the knob to pull up for the high side then the switch to split the high side.

I've driven everything from 3-on-the-tree's, 4, 5, & 6 speeds, 4+2, 5+2, 9,10, & 13 speed RoadRangers, 5+4 Brownies, 5-speed Allison's with 3-speed Brownies, YES, we started out loaded in Direct drive in the Brownie and shifted into O/D on the fly. Guy Dad drove for had a '64 Emeryville with 220 Cum-a-Part, and 5+3. Way I understand it, both drive axles drove in low side, one axle drove in intermediate, other axle drove in high side. Loaded to 65,000-70,000# gross it got with the program pretty well for the time period. Now my 20 year old pickup has 220 HP! And is underpowered. More gears make the most of limited Horsepower.