M35a2 Overdrive Kits

[Hummer Guy]

Are these kits even still available? I know waterloo use to make them, but it seems like they don't anymore. They use too do power steering as well, it seems like these kits are impossible to get now. Does anyone know of any other good source for deuce parts and kits?

 

[DaneGer21]

Nope, not that I’ve found

 

[patracy]

Nope, he stopped making the kits. It was a break even or loss on the kits at best from what I recall.

 

[DaneGer21]

It was a break even or loss on the kits at best from what I recall.

Yep, that’s what I had found

 

[Hummer Guy]

Nope, he stopped making the kits. It was a break even or loss on the kits at best from what I recall.

Yep, seems like it, I emailed him, and he said it takes 5,000 to make them and he's not interested in doing so. The last thing he's selling for the m35a2 is the power steering kits in March then he's done with them.

 

[orren]

Yep, seems like it, I emailed him, and he said it takes 5,000 to make them and he's not interested in doing so. The last thing he's selling for the m35a2 is the power steering kits in March then he's done with them.

Do you have his email address. Would like to get a copy of drawings and any other information on OD unit.

 

[Hummer Guy]

Do you have his email address. Would like to get a copy of drawings and any other information on OD unit.

Here's the email: waterloospecialties@gmail.com

Let me know if you get anything

 

[gringeltaube]

..... any other information on OD unit.

You may also contact M-Series Rebuild in NC (https://www.mseriesrebuild.com/services.html)

This is a screen shot of their services page:

 

[Hummer Guy]

You may also contact M-Series Rebuild in NC (https://www.mseriesrebuild.com/services.html)

This is a screen shot of their services page:
View attachment 857568

He said all his overdrive kits are currently being used for other trucks, he also said that they can't get the overdrive kits either and the amount it'll take the build is not worth it

 

[DaneGer21]

He said all his overdrive kits are currently being used for other trucks, he also said that they can't get the overdrive kits either and the amount it'll take the build is not worth it

I believe that, I’ve gotten some parts from Charles. Stand up guy. It’s unfortunate these custom parts are disappearing.

 

[HDN]

I believe that, I’ve gotten some parts from Charles. Stand up guy. It’s unfortunate these custom parts are disappearing.

It's a good thing metal 3D printing has come a long ways. That'll probably be the future of many restoration and upgrade projects like ours. Awhile back I got in touch with a guy who runs a 3D printing shop that prints metal replicas of body and mechanical parts for antique car restoration. Perhaps talk to him here: https://hv3dworks.com/

 

[Hummer Guy]

It's a good thing metal 3D printing has come a long ways. That'll probably be the future of many restoration and upgrade projects like ours. Awhile back I got in touch with a guy who runs a 3D printing shop that prints metal replicas of body and mechanical parts for antique car restoration. Perhaps talk to him here: https://hv3dworks.com/

That's true but the only problem is that none of us actually have the kit or any kind of dimensions, but if I find out some information on it, I'll definitely see what somebody with a 3d printing can do

 

[porkysplace]

It's a good thing metal 3D printing has come a long ways. That'll probably be the future of many restoration and upgrade projects like ours. Awhile back I got in touch with a guy who runs a 3D printing shop that prints metal replicas of body and mechanical parts for antique car restoration. Perhaps talk to him here: https://hv3dworks.com/

That"s what China does with everything.

 

[gringeltaube]

It's a good thing metal 3D printing has come a long ways. .......

Yes, but keep in mind that we are talking about gears and parts which are subjected to extreme high torque and wear conditions, where only the best CrNiMo steel alloys will hold. I doubt that 3D printing will allow similar results, anytime soon.

As some of our not-so-new members here may recall, I made the first couple of prototype gear sets and small parts for that kit and used AISI 4340 for it. Later, the actual production was all done in the US (with AISI 8620).

.... the only problem is that none of us actually have the kit or any kind of dimensions.....

That depends. Who is "us"... ?
(I have all the dims and details necessary but (obviously) would not share that info without Waterloo's (our member m35-tom) permission.)

 

[gringeltaube]

That"s what China does with everything.

Everything? Do they make helical gears for transmissions - or even ring and pinion sets that way...? I doubt it.

 

[porkysplace]

Everything? Do they make helical gears for transmissions - or even ring and pinion sets that way...? I doubt it.

Give them time .

 

[porkysplace]

Has anybody contacted m35-tom about buying the rights produce to his kit ?
You might get better results than expecting him to give it away .

 

[Jeepsinker]

Has anybody contacted m35-tom about buying the rights produce to his kit ?
You might get better results than expecting him to give it away .

We've spoken about it but haven't made any kind of agreement. I've no idea what the next couple years have in store for me, so I'm unable to make a concrete commitment.
But your supposition is correct. He is open to selling to rights, designs, tooling, etc. He's obviously not going to give it away.

 

[rustystud]

We've spoken about it but haven't made any kind of agreement. I've no idea what the next couple years have in store for me, so I'm unable to make a concrete commitment.
But your supposition is correct. He is open to selling to rights, designs, tooling, etc. He's obviously not going to give it away.

I bought one of the last kits from him. I needed two more so I contacted my machinist friend and tried to get some made. The main problem was the main shaft. Gears are easy to make, but the shaft is not. So I bought several new shafts and we tried to modify them. The main problem was reheat-treating them without distorting the shafts. There was a company in Oregon that said they could do it, but we never got the chance since my friends shop building got sold. He was already 68 and decided to retire. That was last year. He did get my modified NP205 transfer case parts made before closing up shop !
I've been working on replacing the Spicer 5 speed with the Allison 1000 automatic using a heavily modified NP205 transfer-case behind it. Should work pretty good.

 

[patracy]

I bought one of the last kits from him. I needed two more so I contacted my machinist friend and tried to get some made. The main problem was the main shaft. Gears are easy to make, but the shaft is not. So I bought several new shafts and we tried to modify them. The main problem was reheat-treating them without distorting the shafts. There was a company in Oregon that said they could do it, but we never got the chance since my friends shop building got sold. He was already 68 and decided to retire. That was last year. He did get my modified NP205 transfer case parts made before closing up shop !
I've been working on replacing the Spicer 5 speed with the Allison 1000 automatic using a heavily modified NP205 transfer-case behind it. Should work pretty good.

Welcome back again.