Gear Vendors Pro's vs Con

[WTreat]

Looking for peoples perspective or comments on a Gear Vendors unit. I am considering puting one in my 05 4x4, long bed, QC, with the G56 transmission. I searched posts for past information and found only one post. So lets have it any pro's or con's from anybody or do you know of anybody that has one etc. One piece drivelines or 2 piece drivelines etc? Is it worth all the work and expense? Thanks in advance.

 

[llotton]

I had one in a class C dodge one ton chasis motorhome and loved it. Good unit very usefull for splitting gears plus the OD was helpfull. Had a one peice driveline behind the 727 trans. , easy to service and trouble free.

 

[TLane]

I had one in my '93 Ford and didn't like it. I did like splitting gears, it was great to keep the RPMs in a good range. But that truck only had a 4 speed, IIRC. The gears are much closer together on the G56 6 speed, so there is less need for the gear splitter. You should check the gear ratios and see how much different it is from shifting between 5th and 6th on the transmission, if any.

On the Ford, they put the GV unit in place of the carrier bearing (in the middle of the 2 piece drive shaft). That was a big mistake. The U-joints have to be synchronized to work properly. When I'd shift the GV into drive, sometimes I'd get vibration in the drive line; shifting into overdrive and back would usually cure it (random chance on getting the U-joints back in sync). If you get one, only do it if the unit mounts to the transmission and all of the drive line is behind that.

Since it uses a hydraulic pump to shift, you can't use it for engine braking in 2nd gear. I didn't know that until after I had it a while and started down a steep grade (with travel trailer). I had to use the brakes to make the switchbacks. Second gear would have given just the right amount of engine braking, but the unit would suddenly shift in and out on its own. After I got home, I read the manual closely and it stated not to do that.

I had some other minor problems with mine, the shift valve went out under warranty; the unit was leaking fluid when I traded the vehicle with about 60K on the GV.

I'll pay to have the rear axle ratio swapped out next time I need something like that. Or look at the US Gears unit; it uses a motor to shift and can be left in or out at any speed, even in reverse. The US Gears unit is also available in an under-drive, which is probably what you need if your looking to tow.

 

[jelag]

We've sold a number of these and have serviced a group of them... most people buy them or better fuel economy and I don't promote it for that reason... we've sold and installed both the over drive and under drive depending on your needs...

The key here... is that you want to change the point where the truck either goes down the road a 70 mph or wish to change how the truck tows...

In both cases we've found them to work well... we've seen them on 15 year old motor home come in not working from a loose wire... or the customer forgot how to operate it...

We've had 1 or 2 over 15 years of customers who have had a rear seal go bad and destroy the unit... . like any other without oil... it does require a special oil. .

 

[d6c]

Don't remember where the thread is but... . NO exhaust brakes allowed. Jelag should be able to resolve this question real fast, noticed in your signature that you have a pacbrake.

 

[d6c]

Thread is on cumminsforum. Nothing definite, just mentioned, call to gear vendors would be best.

 

[jelag]

d6c, your right about the exhaust brake... the cone clutch and other parts of the gear vendor unit are designed for up to 20K lbs in one direction only, they aren't designed for transmission of power in the opposite direction...

 

[Regcabguy]

My friend's got one on his g-56. The only gear he uses is one that splits 5-6. It's a perfect gear for him with a stock engine and a 10,800# wet truck with flatbed and popup,cruising ther Baja coastal mountainous roads. He's got the eb and only occassionally uses it. $4000 installed is a pricey option. Money could have been better spent with a Smarty and stronger clutch.

 

[p-Bar]

My friend's got one on his g-56. The only gear he uses is one that splits 5-6. It's a perfect gear for him with a stock engine and a 10,800# wet truck with flatbed and popup,cruising ther Baja coastal mountainous roads. He's got the eb and only occassionally uses it. $4000 installed is a pricey option. Money could have been better spent with a Smarty and stronger clutch.

and a lot of fuel

 

[kscheffler]

I have had my GV installed for the last 80k miles. Have not had one problem with the GV unit. Just change oil ever 10k and you are good to go. I have a fuel log book and note every fuel fill and maintenance. Based on before and after GV mileage I am seeing a 1. 25 to 1. 6 mpg increase; so do the math on your return. But the real benefit is the reduction in engine and transmission RPM and the noise. With my 4. 10 and 255/85/16 tires I am only turning 1780 rpm at 70 mph; nice and quiet. Plus when towing it is great to leave the GV on and drop down to 5th over and pull the hills and then just shift back up to 6 over when cresting the hill. With my combinations I really need to stay above 65 to use 6th over. I don't use it to split gears because I don't pull heavy; my main use is the 6th over. As far as the exhaust brake I just turn if off if I want to use the exhaust brake so it is not that big of a deal but you do need to get used to turning it off before applying the exhaust brake. It comes with an automatic disconnect so that it disengages when the EB is engage. As far as 4wd it also has a disconnect when 4wd is engaged. I have never had a reason to use the GV when in 4wd anyway; you should not be traveling at high speed if you need 4wd anyway. I really like my GV and would recommend it but you need to realise that they pay back is a lot of miles and I plan to put on those miles and move the GV to my next vehicle.

 

[WTreat]

Thank you all for your replies. Sorry for the double post as I am new to the site and am still figuring things out. I did an inquiry in the search section for gear vendors and I did not find much related to the subject so I posted the question. What I have found out by checking on other diesel sites is this.



1. You can't use it with the Pac Brake on due to the clutch and spring setup on the gear vendors... Not good for me since I always use my exhaust brake instead of down shifting right away or applying the brakes.



2. Supposidly it is not good to back up with a heavy load with the unit as there is a possibility of the unit grenading??



3. Other people have been told by gear vendors tech. that towing heavy it is not recomended when the unit is in 6th over. . Well that was always my intention and I was never told that with all my conversations with the techs.



4. Moderate to heavy towing takes its toll on the clutch in the gear vendor and could burn it out. .



5. My gears in the G56 are spaced pretty evenly so the unit would only really benefit when I run empty.



All in all I have decided to not install the unit. This is due to all of the information that I have uncovered with my searches, the driveline mods that have to be done by a shop near me that doesn't really sound like they know what they are doing and the fact that there are alot of hidden costs that gear vendors did not tell me about up front. ie. the ujoint for the new slip yoke is extra, the weld on yoke is extra, the front driveline has to be cut and balanced, and now the rear driveline has to be cut and balanced and the carrier bearing moved.



I am sure once it is all said and done the unit would be great but for the expense and headach it just didn't seem like the thing to do. Another point to make is that the numbers that gear vendors claim to would get with the mod. isn't what people are actually after the unit is installed. Hope this info. has helped out and thanks again for all your replies.