Trying to figure this one out….
 

Picked this up at a swap meet. Anyone know what this is?

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

Could it be out of a tractor or special purpose vehicle?

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

That's a new one to me.
Did someone fit a 3.03 Ford gear set minus reverse into a toploader case?

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

I think it's out of a lumber mill transport lift from the 30's40's . There was a mill near the oregon coast that had a few of these old flathead powerd lifts that would stradle the unit of lumber lift it and move it around the mill. By the time I saw them they were junk and the mill had been closed for years. If you had the shiter it would be esier to tell, it would have two levers. Tim

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

The serial number on the case may assist with ID.

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

This was an interesting exercise. Over the 20+ years of rebuilding the early Ford transmissions, we’ve had numerous inquiries about modifying or somehow creating from scratch a transmission that was fully synchronized, overdrive capable, etc. something that had the physical dimensions and interchange capabilities of the typical 1939 units. I’ve had to explain the limitations of such dreams many times. Believe me….if it could be done, using the early Ford gearbox, we’d have made the attempt.

This contraption that you see was a fun exercise in playing with assorted parts…..kind of like spilling the bag of Tinker Toys onto the bench and making something to fill the time on a rainy day. My goal was to cram as many gears as I could into this case and see what the guesses would suggest. Thanks everyone for looking at the picture and posting the comments.

For those who may still wonder if such a contraption could be designed and built, I suggest that to alleviate your frustrations, you may want to consider a second hobby. It sure looks like it could have worked….

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

My dad put all the gears out of a 40-48 transmission into his 37 case and it worked great.

Re: Trying to figure this one out….
 

That is extremely common - many of us have done it. BUT, it still isn't a fully synchronized transmission, and it is still quite weak. ;)