Auxilary Overdrives GV vs. US Gear?

[Mad Max]

I'm just curious as to what peoples experiences have been with either US Gears auxilary OD or Gear Vendor's, or both. Why you select one over the other? If aware of any other competing products too.



Thanks.



MaX

 

[Mad Max]

Somehow missed this one w/ my search

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50452



looks like a USG for this cowboy.



MaX

 

[LarryB]

Here's my $. 02 >>http://216.235.147.117/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39900

 

[Mad Max]

Interesting Read Larry...

Ever get your temp issues sorted out?



MaX

 

[LarryB]

Max

I'm not yet convinced that "I" have a temp issue. USGear offered no ideas what so ever, evading the issue at all cost. Sure they advertise "30,000lb capacity" but for how long before the oil boils? I think these units just run hot because of their design. I'm still waiting to see if anyone else has taken the time to install a temp gauge. I personally wouldn't dare run one without a gauge. I got a sneaking suspicion that high oil temps when working hard is why some have had poor life with this unit. Just not many people know they are running temps in the red.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Larry:

I've been runnin the US Gear, as you know, for almost 3 years. I cooked one at 86K miles along with a transmission. I now have 47K on the second one. I don't run a temp gauge but I do have one in the transmission. This may sound off base but if the transmission is runnin 200 is the splitter far behind? Could the splitter be designed to run hotter? I don't know. I do know this. With the ease of towing, splitting the gears as it does, knowing the RPM's are where I want them, I will spend the $950 every 2 years to keep the Cummins living longer. To me thats cheap to save the rest of the truck. So far 242783 towing 13K lbs. I've had 3 transmissions in 5 mons. I would say the US Gear has a better record.



. . Preston. .

 

[LarryB]

Preston

I'm hoping I will grow to love it too. I have seen my NV4500 running at 170 and the USGear at over 250. This when starting out in the morning with everything cool and then finding a big hill to climb. The USGear heats up fast when using 4th over on a steep hill. I have taken to using 5th direct in this suation. I usually see about 180/diff, 200/USGear, and 180/NV4500 on the flat with no headwind. With a headwind the USgear climbs to 250 pretty fast. You might want to consider a sender and switch for your gauge. With my gauge I can "baby" it to keep the temps down hopfully extending it's life. I must admit I am getting to like that 3rd/4th gear split.

 

[Doubleclutch]

My bottom line.

I really like the practical splits that the GV gives me as well. Going to third from second is a bummer, but usually it's traffic inspired, and a split wouldn't be that helpful. The upper splits are most beneficial, especially not having to use fifth gear untill plans are for > 65 mph. (fourth over is really close to fifth). Even with all the drawbacks, either unit should be considered. "So happy am I" until Joe Donnelly flat out told me to get rid of the OD because the power enhancements being made will grenade the unit. I wish he'd be wrong at least once and a while. I'm going to hang on till I hear from GV. Think about it- the factory didn't do such a good job converting transmissions (man or auto) to the Cummins diesel. I wish the GV or USG guys would give us a torque rating which has more value than GCVW! (A 30,000# trailer can be moved w/o overloading the drivetrain-but when you toss in the "effective weight" multiplier from the acceleration factor, 30,000# can easily be exceeded). LarryB- you're a smarter man than I re. the temp gauge! Good idea.

 

[Mad Max]

Just an idea Larry...

The REAL GRANDSPORT Corvettes ran a Tilton electic oil pump and some large diameter ss braided lines to a tiny oilcooler mounted on the rear deck to fight rear end oil boiling.



You're using the brand of oil I'd pour on a temp problem.



Tilton Engineering Inc.

25 Easy St.

P. O. Box 1787

Buellton, CA 93427-9566

Main Phone: (805) 688-2353

Fax : (805) 688-2745

http://www.tiltonracing.com/

Designer and manufacturer of everything between engines and transmissions, including foreign and domestic racing clutches, housings, hydraulic release bearings, and starters for high-performance and racing. "



I've seen the pump @ racerwholesale, pegasus racing supply, and others.



http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/

http://www.racerwholesale.com/



MaX



Ps. Thx again for the 411

 

[RHoblitt]

U/D O/D

I have a U. S Gear under/drive on our 98 3500 nv4500 dr performance pumped trk. Its been on since the trk was new because it was so underpowered when climing hills, mostly because of the 3ed to 4th split. I have never checked the temp but it still is working after 72,000 and i tore it down at 48,000 after snaping the tail shaft at the o-ring grove. I have never seen anything cut this smooth, making me think it was undercut when the o-ring grove was mach, in. I was turning around on a logging road and the rear wheels droped over 15 inches and i droped the clutch at the same time ops. I do change the oil every year, i use synthetic gear oil and never give it a second though. When changing gears i always wait 4 seconds or more and then just fan the clutch. Seems to work good... ... ... ... ... . Richard