Aux OD question - ROI?

[NVR FNSH]

I drive a '00 2500 4wd/6spd/4. 10s & 315/75R16 tires - at 2000 rpm I'm travelling 66mph according to my GPS (so I'm a gadget guy ) I'm averaging ~15mpg over 36k miles (very little towing to date - towing mileage is another story). I bought my truck w/4. 10s knowing I would put the 315s on.



While empty I'm in need of another gear on the freeway/interstate - go figure - but I'm not sure if there is any benefit to spending the money on a GV overdrive. For me the GV looks to be a better deal - no need for 4wd use & I don't think I'd ever need it towing as the 6spd works pretty darn well.



What kind of mileage improvement have you seen, if any, with a GV or US Gear on a 6spd truck? I'm concerned that 6th over would put me too low rpm wise for 70-75 mph and to get the rpms correct, ~1800 rpm, my speed will have to go up too much (~80mph) and be offset by the increased drag.



Thanks for the info,

Brian

 

[Floor It]

I will be finding out real soon because I have a gear vendors that I took off my 96' and will be putting it on my HO 6-speed. On my 96' it made a 2mpg gain on the highway. John

 

[Midnite]

If the only reason you want to add a GV or US Gear OD is to save money via better milage, then it isn't worth it at all. Both units are in the $3000 ballpark, and even assuming a 2 MPG benefit (that's probably the very best you could hope for), you'd have to put on a *LOT* of miles in order to just break even.



However, very little of what we do to our trucks is done to save money, so if you want it and can afford it, I'd say go for it!



Mike

 

[Floor It]

The GV unit is 2200$, plus 130$ for drive shaft and thats it if you do the install,which I did or it just might be 3000$ total if you paid someone to do it. Its not cost effective but I like it!

 

[NVR FNSH]

If my reasoning is correct, increasing my mpg average by 2mpg drops the $/mile operating cost by $0. 09 Assuming a cost of $3K the overdrive would pay for itself in just under 34k miles, ~ 2 years for me. Lots of if's in the equation but I think I'll go for the GV as soon as funds allow.



Brian

 

[LRamey]

NVR FNSH



Unless I'm all washed up I think your math is off a bit.



If you drive 100 miles @ 18 mpg = 5. 55 gal. x $1. 25 = $6. 94

100 miles @ 20mpg (if you gain 2mpg) = 5 gal. x $1. 25 = $6. 25

The differance is $. 69 / 100 = $. 0069 per mile.

@ $2500 for the overdrive you will need to drive around 360,000 miles to break even!? But then if you plan on driving that thing for 500,000 miles I'd say go for it!

Like has already's been said, if we had to justify the cost on everything we added, we'd be riding horses!

Lonnie

 

[NVR FNSH]

OK - so I'm an idiot and dropped a zero. Damn scientific notation calculators And it was late... ...



I should have used $0. 009 per mile reduction in operating cost... . Changes the ROI to 324,152 miles



That changes everything I'll have to think about it some more.



Brian

 

[BPINE]

Don't expect better milage IMO, You will just go faster and wind drag will get you. I get no better milage but I can make up some ground though. These units will not last 350 k from what I have read but I am still hopeing.

 

[Shooter]

IMHO



ROI = $0. 00

RO DRIVING PLEASURE = priceless

 

[Floor It]

Every truck will have different results from driving styles and what not but my 96' had 4:10's and the engine had a TST#6 plate and a BD torque convertor. When I added the GV I gained 2 mpg, not everyone will get those results but I did.



John

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Like a couple of others above. I can't really see ANY difference in overall fuel mileage - just an easier cruising truck with lower cruise RPM, and with the proper torque converter, the ability to split gear ratios - a GOOD thing when pulling up steep grades!



BUT, "economy" or ROI?



Forget it!

 

[DRR-24V]

Exhaust Brake ?

Signature did not show exhaust brake, but I understand they will not work with the G/V O/Drive.

 

[NVR FNSH]

DDR-24V,

I do have an exhaust brake and I'm aware of the the GV/exhaust brake issue. I figure that the times I'm using the GV I wouldn't really be using or needing the exhaust brake so I'm not too concerned about the 'incompatability' issue.



Brian

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I had a GV OD on my 5 spd 4. 10 mainly to lower the RPMs and noise at 75mph. Never saw any real gains in MPG. Was great for the gear split between 3rd and 4th on the 5 spd. when towing.



I am putting GV OD on my Auto 4. 10 tomorrow to give me a decent 65-70 mph towing gear and RPM.



Have an email from a fellow that said he had 142,000 miles on his GV OD. Mine only has 75 cycles during about 15,000 miles of driving.



BTW - GV OD has connector from electronic box to lock out GV OD when exhaust brake is activated.