Blown Gear Vendor overdrive

[RobG]

Before there's any misinformation spread, I've had a US Gear Overdrive on my 2001 ETH 6-speed 4x4 since December.



The thing works flawlessly. The shifting action is clunky (literally), but once you get used to it, it's not a big deal. You really learn to appreciate having twelve gears to choose from when you're winding up a twisty mountain road carrying a load, and like to keep the RPMs right at 1800-2200 so your EGTs stay sane (as the altitude slowly climbs from sea level to over 7000').



So, to reiterate... they may only now have an adapter kit for the 4x2's, but they've had a 4x4 application for a good while now.



Rob

 

[Barry]

Rob G..... and the cost was... ... and at 70 mph in 6th/Over the rpms are... ... ... ...

 

[RobG]

Oh, DETAILS. You want those silly, pesky little details.



Cost... just over $2k if I remember right. I got it from Diesel Dynamics, and my memory sucks these days. Check with them for the current price. THEN add in another $200-400 for the driveshaft work. I had 'em build me a new rear shaft, except they reused the yoke, since it was a $90 part, and is easy enough for them to move back to the old shaft should I need to do so.



RPMs... well, it's a 20% overdrive (or underdrive if you order it as such). I don't recall 70 mph exactly, but at 75, I believe RPMs are around 2000. What I know for sure is that I'm at 60 MPH @ 2000 RPM without the OD engaged (with 4. 10 gears and my 225/70-19. 5 tires).



When I'm towing or otherwise carrying a load, I usually am in 6th without the OD on, unless it's totally flat ground. Then I'll turn on OD and let the truck relax a bit. But pulling hills, it's much happier at or above 2000 RPM.



Rob

 

[Barry]

Ah so. More pesky details..... does the od unit bolt to the back of the trans or is it remote mount with split shafts. And, does the additional drag of the unit cause any loss of mpg or is this overcome by the reduction of rpms? And, could I use my ebrake in and out of od???? Let's see... 70mph is 2300 rpm less 20%=1840... . that's tall!!!!!! I should be able to get 40 to 50 mpg with that set up... ... .....

 

[RobG]

It goes between the transmission and transfer case, so you can use it in 2wd or 4wd as needed.



Also, it works just fine with the exhaust brake. I've been doing that since it was installed and it's very nice! I've put probably 10k on it that way. No troubles.



Rob

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by RobG

... they may only now have an adapter kit for the 4x2's, but they've had a 4x4 application for a good while now.

Wow! This is good news! I was not aware that they had an application for a 4X4 version of the NV5600. If I wasn't on the verge of buying a house, I'd swap in that transmission and put in the U. S. Gear in a heartbeat. But... the money ain't there, nor is the garage in which to do the swap!

Someday

Andy

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie

Uh oh, now Andy, don't get any ideas of buzzing up and down the freeway.....

No way!! I drive that thing pretty defensively, because I know how easily I could get squashed. Even 2WD 1/2 tons tower over me! The worst part about it is getting out of the thing. I'm so used to hopping down out of my truck, now I have to unfold myself, and climb up from a knees-to-almost-the-chest position. And I'm not that tall at 5'9". I don't see how these kids can lower these cars any lower than they already are.

BTW, this car is going to remain 100% stock! You'll never see me driving around with a boomy stereo, wide tires, a fat tailpipe, and all those stupid looking add-on wings and ****!!

Andy