Not true. It can take the same gearset as any regular A-833. 4th gear is always 1:1. The O/D 3rd gear uses a smaller diameter on the mainshaft. It is the last gear on the mainshaft. Just before the 3/4 synchro assy.
Don't know, just relaying what the article said. Maybe I am misunderstanding you though.
Based on the article, sounds like most A833 boxes need a different main and input shaft to run the OD gears, but a small spline 3.09 box can use reuse the main and input shaft. My assumption is that if a standard 3.09 box is used, it would also mean that the smaller input bearing and retainer could also be used (article says you can reuse the original bearing), thus sidestepping the step of finding a large bearing retainer bellhousing.
But I'm no A833 expert, only tripped over the article years ago and shared it.
