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TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Overdrive question

I Have a 74 4-speed. If I can find a J overdrive, what else I need for the installation other than the switches.
Do I need to change the trans' main shaft? Do I need to change the drive shaft?
thanks
Paddy
Paddy Kan

Hello Paddy,

I routinely sell JTypes on ebay that I pull from Volvo transmissions.

To adapt the JType to the Triumph non-overdrive 4 speed you have to dismantle the transmission and replace the mainshaft. You need to find a JType adapter. The adapter is the aluminum casting that connects the JType to the gearbox. Price for the mainshaft and adpater runs around the $500 USD mark.

You need to drill the transmission cover plate and install the 1st, 2nd and reverse gear interlock switches.

A Volvo JType will need a Triumph drive shaft flange installed and some need the rear mounting holes drilled and tapped.

I have an article that goes into detail about the conversion process if your interested I can email to you.

Regards,

John Parfitt
John Parfitt

John- How's the 5 speed?
Don
DON KELLY

Don,

The 5 speed conversion is an excellent piece of equipment and really transforms the car.

Ultimately I decided on the 5 speed over the overdrive for long term maintenance advantages and possibly to create a drive-line that could withstand higher horsepower.

In terms of installation: the 5 speed conversion was easy to install - any shade-tree mechanic can do it on a weekend. By comparison, converting a non-overdrive Triumph to a J Type overdrive is a big deal and prolly need a pro since the tranny needs to come appart etc.

I think for those who are concerned about resale value and originality, the J Type is the way to go.

For pure performance, spare parts availability and ease of repairs, the 5 speed conversion is the way to go.

One other thing about the 5 speed conversion - I solved a clutch issue by installing the optional hydraulic throwout bearing thus eliminating the troublesome cross-shaft and fork mechanism.

On balance, the 5 speed conversion really transforms the TR6 into something with a much more refined clutch and gearbox driveability.

JP
John Parfitt

Paddy-Last month on the 6packlist, there was a lot of discussion about group purchasing J type od units from Volvos and all the bits and pieces for the conversion. You might try contacting this person for more info-Don Malling-dmallin@attglobal.net
Berry Price
BTP Price

thanks, Berry
but the email address won't work
Paddy
Paddy Kan

what I mean is , the email bounced back.
Paddy Kan

Paddy-Sorry, my mistake. Try dmallin@attglobal.net.
Berry
BTP Price

John,
yes, please email me the article. Thank you.
Is it you listing a Volvo J OD on ebay?
Paddy
Paddy Kan

Hey John:
I'd like to go the Volvo transmission route as well. Are the J types fairly common from the Volvo? And what about using a Stag or 2000/2500 transmission? I already have a spare Triumph 4 speed and would like to put an OD in the 6 again.
Bryn

Paddy / Bryn,

Yes - that's me selling the J Type. The J Types are very common on the Volvo's although, the cost of the J Type is a small percentage of the overall cost of doing the conversion.

I you are paying someone else to do the work the cost will be like a transmission rebuild plus the cost of the J Type, new mainshaft and adapter. Add to that the electronics involved plus installation in the car and it gets expensive.

I think the Stagg 4 speed will work although I must confess having never owned or worked on a Stagg so you better do your own research on that question.

JP
John Parfitt

Bryn
The Stag gearbox doesn't fit the TR6, it has a different input shaft, but if you can find a Stag/late 2500 or Dolomite Sprint you will get all the bits you need to do the conversion ie mainshaft, adapter, switches etc, but you also need to have a late [post '74?] TR6 gearbox it isn't so easy with the earlier boxes.
Ron
R. Algie

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2005 and 02/02/2005

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