Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Battle of the gear splitters : US Gear VS Gear Vendors

[AndrewKing]

HI All,

I recently purchased a 1997 extended cab Dually 4x4 to do my heavy hauling. Of course the truck is Cummins powered and it is backed by a 5 SP trans and 4. 10 gears.

Since I do ride empty a lot in between heavy tows, I want better mileage and speed and have thought the best way to go was with a gear splitter (plus the jump from first to second is quite large and it would definitely help to split on the way up or down the gears when heavy).

I was wondering if anybody here has experience with both units and can give some real world insight as to which is really better and why.

In reading about the two units here is what I see:

Gear Vendors :

Pro: Probably less drag because they claim only 1 HP lost per 400HP (No figures from US gear that I could find on their unit). Possibly faster shifting because the US gear needs 2 seconds to wind up between shifting (in all fairness I did read somewhere that the Gear Vendors takes longer to shift at
slow speeds VS high speeds?), I am assuming no gear whine since it is a planetary system...

Con: Cost is $600 or so more, won't work at slow speeds (can't split first to second), won't work in 4WD (tho I can't see the need to split in 4WD... . I suppose one could buy the one that will split in 4WD tho), not as strong a unit in terms of total GVW rating by the factory, Have to remember to disengage if using an exhaust brake (I asked the factory about that ), not recommended to be on when backing heavy.


US Gear:

Pro: cheaper, stronger in terms of factory GVWR rating, No problem with exhaust brakes or heavy backing, works in 4 WD, splits ALL gears even at slow speeds

Con: may have more internal friction (?), gear whine when used, and the biggest problem for me is the 2 second delay before shifting (if it weren't for that aspect I believe US gear would be the one for me since I cannot imagine staying in first for a full 2 or more seconds waiting for OD to kick in... .
Possibly more clunking then the GV unit when shifting

So what do you all think?... . Which would you get?

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[chipster]

Gear vendor

I`ve had a gear vendor in my `86 1 ton chev 4x4 dually with a 5. 9 for 17 years and 375,000 miles(225,000 mi with a TH 400, and the rest with a 4l80e). you`ll have more trouble with your 5 spd than a gear vendor. the reason it won`t shift at low speed is it needs to build oil pressure. once it builds pressure, there`s no difference in shift speed. it`s always FAST. and you can shift up or down at full throttle. with the other splitter you HAVE to lift off the throttle for it to shift. I`ve driven a couple trucks with it in `em and it sucks!! the G/V has a wire to the transfer case switch to lock it out when in 4 wheel drive. I put a relay between my back-up light switch and the 4x4 switch on the transfer case, so you don`t have to remember to shift out the G/V when in reverse. I guess you could put a relay in the exhaust brake circuit to lock out the GV when the brake applies, and shifts up when you step back on the throttle. Thats all I can tell you `bout my expierence with a GV, I LOVE IT!!!

 

[hsmith]

Looks like you already have if figured out. I have the GV and like it. Smooth, no vibes, whines, etc. I am going to say more like one second shift. Can't back with it anyway as it won't engage below 20 mph. Definitely not bullet proof either.

 

[Curious Dave]

I pull heavy all over the country... I broke mine in PA. After $1500 in total expenses to take it off and get going again... I did not put it back on. I had it rebuilt (out of warranty) and put it away for my car. Gear Vendors tried telling me they would sell me another one and that they would guarentee that it would hold up. I told them that... uhhh... noooo... it won't. I think I just proved that.

I loved having it on my truck while running empty... . But with me being on the road full time I can not justify taking the risk of having another one go out on me. I need my truck running at all times. My job demands it. Full load is @ 25k.

 

[Pavemen]

If you have the 5spd, then the two second delay issue you mentioned does not apply. I've got a 99 3500 2wd, 5 spd with the US Gear in an under drive config. Works great, no gear whine at all (if it is there I can't hear it). I love the ability to split every gear and it works at all speeds.

There is a little clunk when it engages/disengages, but it minor and does not happen all the time, depends on the drivetrain load.

 

[Pavemen]

also, its easier to install the US Gear unit with a 5 spd. You just need to run two wires in the cab and mount the switch, no control unit in the cab like with the GV unit.

one more thing, you can keep it engaged 24/7 if you like

 

[AndrewKing]

HI Guys,

Thanks for all the help so far.....

Just curious Pavemen, but I thought the 2 second rule before shifting was for both trannies (auto AND manual)?

Truth be known I was leaning towards the US Gear model BUT the two second rule is what hindered me... .

I would LOVE to split 1st and second when towing heavy and I know the Gear Vendors won't do that from the get go (I was thinking of contacting GV to see if a separate power steering pump could be plumbed in to allow shifts to happen at any time..... ON the flip side I was going to contact US Gear to see if a manual lever could be used to make the shifts rather than the slow motor BUT if the 2 second rule doesn't apply maybe it won't be a problem.....

Andrew

 

[Pavemen]

never had an issue with the two second rule. I can start out in 1st-under and pull the switch and tap the clutch and its in 1st. Push the switch in at the same time as I clutch and row into 2nd-under and all is good.

The unit will not shift until the driveline load is reduced so you can engage the unit and then take 1-2 seconds to tap the clutch, but I have just always run through the gears/splits, takes more time than you think to run the steps if you engage the unit just before you tap the clutch.