Cold Duck Doubler...Shifting options

[JWMcCrary]

I acquired a cold duck setup several months ago and plan to install in my 73 with C4 and D20 sometime over the next month or so. I did a lot of searching and PM'd a few people that have emailed me some helpful info, Rich at Wildhorses even did some digging for me and sent some of their old install instructions.

I have read where some have used compressed air to shift doublers, I'm curious if an ARB compressor would work to supply air for shifting? I only have an ARB in the front so I have a port that could be used to operate some type air cylinder. Anyway I'm looking for some ideas on making that work if it's feasable.

I would also like to see how others setup floor shifters that run this setup.

 

[gddyap]

I used the regular shifter that comes with the Duck. I twinsticked the D20 behind it. All three levers use short linkages to connect to the shift rails. If I remember I'll try to get some pictures.

 

[bronko69er]

I would vennture to say yes and ARB compressor would be enough to actuate a pneumatic ram to shift a t-case. Worse case is you'd have to add a little more resevoir volume.

 

[gddyap]

Duck shifter seen from below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gescober/3333262831/

D20 twin stick linkages to shift rails. There are bolts welded to the ends of the shift rails for the rod ends to connect to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gescober/3334100978/

Triple sticks through the floor. You an also see the Lokar floor shifter mount on the C4.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gescober/3333263557/

Duck shifter from above. Strange glow is from a flashlight.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gescober/3333263891/

D20 twin stick from above.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gescober/3334102004/


As far as using the ARB compressor to actuate a cylinder, it should work. I'd add a little tank so you don't have to wait for the compressor to pump up.

 

[JWMcCrary]

Thanks a million gddyap. Looks like you spent some time to get some good pictures and I do appreciate it. Doesn't appear to be very difficult to setup the shifters with this to go by, I think that's what I'll do. Thanks again.

 

[Broncoloupy]

Cold Duck stuff..... That has been a while since I heave heard any talk about them. Been at least 10 years or so.

 

[gddyap]

I think I got one of the last ones from WH and that was at least 6 years ago. They stopped selling them not too long after I got mine.

The duck shifter from WH was not very good. I had to modify it a little. You can see the large stack of flat washers that were required to space it away from the tcase adapter. They also only provided a plain bolt to act as the pivot for the shifter instead of a shoulder bolt. The plain bolt would not work because if you tightened it you could move the lever. If you left it loose, it would work it's way out and the lever was loose. I took a piece of tubing and basically made a shoulder bolt out of the bolt provided. The tubing went into the shifter and the bolt into the tubing. There was enough clearance between the tubing and lever for it to pivot and then tubing was long enough to allow the bolt to bottom out against it without placing any forces on the shifter. If none of that makes sense, I can try doing a quick MS paint drawing to explain it.

You may want to consider the WH 32sp output for the D20. Guys break the stock 10sp one with a regular drivetrain. Add another 2.34 or 2.46:1 in front of it and kaboom! You're going to modify your driveshafts anyway. Did you also get an overflow bottle for it? There's a port on the top of the Duck to run a hose up to an overflow. Not sure if it's really necessary but Coots (duck's designer) must of thought it was needed.

 

[JWMcCrary]

This is the unit I bought.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119303&
highlight=cold+duck

I think I understand your shifter setup, I have a spare C4 & D20, the plan is to get it all mocked up with shifters and then tear mine apart to install. I have Duff's Torque Tamer and exhaust that I think is going to have to be dealt with to get this in there, also plan to add 1" more body lift for some room, only have 1" body lift now.

I have Wildhorses HD output shaft already, I went ahead and changed that when I installed the 393. I may have more questions for you when I get started.