MTFCA Forum

As a long-time participant of the forum, i have observed a lot of confusion within many "Ruckstell discussions" on the forum. I believe the confusion comes from so many different terms (or words) to explain the two driveline ratios (or positions) of the Ruckstell; some say "low-Ruckstell" and "high-Ruckstell", or "underdrive and overdrive" etc, etc,... or like "Original Smith" correctly states,...."you're either in Ruckstell or you're not", and he's absolutely right! I believe that if Ruckstell terminology was what I'll call "standardized" in our forum discussions, there would be a lot less confusion when discussing the 2-speed Ruckstell rear end. More appropriate would be something like Ruckstell reduction (RR) and Ruckstell Direct (RD). Terms like "hi" or "low" Ruckstell suggests that Ruckstell is an "overdrive", which of course it is not. Just my thoughts, FWIW,....harold

Thanks Harold, good idea.

Let's have a look at the attached document to see what Ruckstell themselves said in the operating instructions:


As can be read - you are either in 'Ruckstell' (a lower ratio gear) or 'Ford' (normal Ford gearing).

What can confuse folk is that it is also referred to in the Operating Instructions as "Ruckstell Low" and "Ruckstell High" ???

Keep in mind that the Ruckstell is an UNDER DRIVE gear only - no overdrive to be seen here, fitted to the rear axle, and so it affects both 'low' and 'high' of the standard transmission. i.e. you get a low geared version (or "Ruckstell" ratio) for each of the standard 'low' and 'high'.

'Ford Low' and 'Ford High' means nothing but the standard gearing of the T.

Oh, I should point out that you get the 'Ruckstell with reverse as well ;-0


Did you see the early nod to drag racing in there? "Used to .... get away quickly in traffic"

But what if I have a Starr Planator? I have not seen a manual to reference.

"No over drive" well a yes and no on that depending on the Ruckstell, although a direct drive and normal ratio for the USA, 3-1/13 to 1 by parts book. Canadian Ruckstell was and the only ring and pinion available by parts book and the few I've had apart, was a 3:1 ratio, so an over drive by standard Ford ratio specs.

I agree with Harold, however, it comes up often on posts by people who have not memorized the terminology. Technically the Ruckstell is an underdrive in the low position and standard T drive in the high position. Most people use the terminology, Low Low, High High, or Low High, or High Low. The first one means Ford Low Ruckstell The second means out of Ruckstell and Ford High. The third means Ruckstell Ford low. and Ford High Ruckstell. Anyway, when I read the posts I can understand what it says. Although there is not an overdrive, it can be used as though it had overdrive by installing a higher gear ratio in the Ford rear axle. This works very well in flatter areas, but not good on mountains. It usually means you need to use Ruckstell with Low just to start out on a slight grade in a place where it would start fine with standard Ford gearing.

Hobbyists were debating this issue and trying to get "everyone" to standardize their language surrounding the Ruckstell (and other things as well?) when I was a young fellow getting into this hobby over fifty years ago!
There are a dozen right ways to say these things, and maybe a hundred wrong ways! I don't think there will ever be a real consensus for THE "right way".

Well,.....O.K.,....no matter who built it, and no matter what ring & pinion, it's a planetary gear set that will give you two things and two things only; planetary reduction or the whole assembly locked up which gives you direct as per Ford factory specified final drive ratio.

Sheesh!!! Starting to feel like I'm sorry I brought this up at all! I guess there will always be new fellows in the hobby (and a few ol' timers too) that by no fault of their own, will be somewhat "misguided" about a 2-speed rear end on an old Ford, and what it does, why it does, and whatit won't do, and whether it's a good thing or not, and why.

Don't worry about it Harold S! Just enjoy the model T any time you can.

Harold, Don’t fret over the Ruckstell nomenclature. Over 100 years later we still cannot get two Model T owners to agree on what weight oil to use in the engine….

Ain't THAT the truth!

Yes! it's amazing on how many people can be wrong.

ALL of us?????

What irritates me is the people who spell Ruckstell with an X.

I just wish I had a Ruxtell, then I would be willing to learn learn the spelling and the terminology.

Art Mirtes

I shouldn't get into this, but really, who doesn't know what someone is trying to say when they state "hi" or "low" Ruckstell? "Hi" or "low" does not suggest "overdrive" to me. You know what does suggest it: "overdrive".

"To-may-to"... "To-mah-to"...

I own two T's. A 1915 touring and a 1926 roadster. Both have Ruckstells. The only thing I will add is that a Ruckstell is not a overdrive or a high speed option. It is an "intermediate" gearing option. It's great for cruising SLOW when in Ruckstell high. bobt