Gear Splitters... Good and Bad?

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Can any of you folks who have splitters tell me your good/bad. Are they noisy? Why US Gear or Gear Vendors?
I've been mostly thinking about a US Gear over to keep out of fifth while towing. Maybe I'll just order the new fully splinded shaft for fifth gear.
Thanks a bunch,
Ron

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'99 Quad long bed, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 55 limslip, DD stage IIs/boost module and elbow, US Gear D-brake, Mag-Hytec, 4" exhaust, gauges, stock filter, air bags and a bunch of other stuff. Pull a 30' Wildwood
fifth wheel.

 

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Ron, I run a Gear Vendors unit on my 2 wheel drive 12 valve automatic 4:10 geared 3500. Tow a 11,500 pound fifth wheel. Have had no problems at all with the Gear Vendors splitter. I usually change the oil in it when I change my engine oil. It gives me a perfect split (3rd over) between 3rd and 4th when towing in the mountains. Also love it when running unloaded. 4th over gives me 70 mph at 1750 rpm, 80 mph at 2000 rpm, etc. Your application will be different, but what the heck, the more gears, the more fun. Off the topic, but how do you like your U. S. Gear exhaust brake?
MikeH

 

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Mike,
I am very happy with it. It has worked flawlessly for about 5k miles so far. I really like having it on the exhaust pipe and out of the engine compartment.
My wife LOVES it. In fact I call it "April's brake" as she reminds me to turn it on when needed if I forget.
Does the Gear Venders unit make any extra noise and why did you coose it over the US Gear?

 

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I have a GearVendor and think it is terrific.

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Paul A. Schmidt
95, 4X4, SLT 2500, 5 spd. , 4. 10, 270 hp. ,675ft. lb. TST, AFC spring kit,215hp. injectors, Pacbrake, Walker muffler,
GearVendor O. D.
Eastern PA.

 

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Ron,
I did a lot of research before springing for the Gear Vendors unit. My truck is 2 wheel drive. When I talked with the U. S. Gear factory rep, he said for my application he would need me to take the truck to New Jersey for the dual range installation because they had very few technicians qualified to handle the job on a 2 wheel drive Dodge. That worried me. On mine, the Gear Vendor unit mounts independently replacing the center bearing between the front and rear driveshafts. The shop in PA that did mine sold both GV and U. S. Gear, but recommended the GV for my use. They recommend the U. S. Gear when underdrive is needed.
No, I don't have any vibration or noise from the GV unit. I was woried about vibration considering the way it's mounted.
With the automatic transmission, I can shift under full throttle. Have an old fashioned headlight dimmer switch on the floor. When I want to shift it up or down, just hit the dimmer switch, it unlocks the converter just long enough to shift and thats all there is to it. Or, you can leave it activated and it will automatically shift up at a preset vehicle speed and shift down at about 20 mph. Lights on a small dash pannel show status. Check the GV web site. They will send you a pretty good info package.
I like the GV for my use. Lot's of folks swear by the U. S. Gear unit and I think it might be my preference for a stick shift application. Tough decision. Bet you'll get lots of feedback on this board.
Good luck, MikeH

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'98. 0 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab SLT 12V Automatic 4:10 LS Gear Vendors, Transfer Flow, Line X, Pace Roll Top, VDO, Reese 5th Hitch, Prime Loc, etc, etc.

 

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Ron,

Like MikeH, when I was talking with a installer of both units, his feeling was the GV was the right choice for gear splitting with a 4. 10.

Did have a problem at first. GV did fix it. I've got about 20k on it now and about half that is towing.

No noise from the OD. Drops the RPM to 80% of normal. Running OD-OD unloaded is a real pleasure. Not a good idea if towing.

I'd install it again or transfer it if I can should I trade later.

Got a question for the other GV'ers, do you get a real solid upshift unless you let up on the pedal?

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<font color=#990000>~<font color=#990000> '99 2500 SLT <font color=#990000> ~ QC ~ 4X4 ~ LB ~ Auto ~ 4:10 LSD ~
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD E-brake<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> BD Autolock<font color=#00000> *<font color=#990000> Gear Vendor OD<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Jordan Research T-brake <font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Bullhide spray-in Liner<font color=#000000> *
<font size=-2>... Lookin' for the 'RE' to go next to my 'TIRED' so's I got more time to Play!... <font size=-1>

[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 08-07-2000). ]

 

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I'm bringing this up to the top in hopes some one with a similar set up to mine will respond.
Someone must have a US Gear in a 4x4 stick!
If you don't want to post, e-mail me.
roon@lynxus.com
Thanks,
Ron


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'99 Quad long bed, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 55 limslip, DD stage IIs/boost module and elbow, US Gear D-brake, Mag-Hytec, 4" exhaust, gauges, stock filter, air bags and a bunch of other stuff. Pull a 30' Wildwood
fifth wheel.

 

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What kind of milage are you getting in double overdrive and 410 rear 4x4?

 

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Ron, I had a U. S. Gear Underdrive in a 1997 Ford 4WD CrewCab 5SPD PowerStroke. The unit operated in 4WD, I believe Gear Vendors does not. Operation of the unit caused an annoying "clunk" when splitting the gears, which I was told was normal. I also had clutch chatter starting off in first or second after the modification. The chatter as explained to me was not clutch related, but driveshaft wrap-up. The driveshaft wrap-up was explained away as the overall length of the installation. I sold the Ford and bought another Dodge with 4. 10 gears(YES, the Phord had other problems also!!!). Feel free to post any questions or E-Mail for installer info.
Chad

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2001 ETH,3500QC,4x4,SLT,6spd,4. 10,White/Agate,Straight Exhaust.

1995 3500RC,4x2,SLT,5spd,3. 54,Straight Exhaust,90k trouble free miles. Truck is for sale as of 08/03/2000, wife has a 2001 3500RC 4x4 ordered. Update: Truck sold 08/07/2000.

 

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Kenny,

I have only run one long distance that didn't include towing. Right after it was installed (less than 1000 miles on the truck), I had 22+ mpg on the computer on my run from Portland to Seattle. It was still creeping up when I reached the end of the trip. I have found my computer to be within reason of my calulated mpg.

With 80% hiway and 20% light footed suburbun driving, I'll get 18+ mpg (calculated).

There are three modes that I think are great for the OD (not in any order): 1) OD-OD - 75-80 mph & about 2K rpm( sorry brain doesn't retain details as well as it once did) and still pulls - really makes crusin' comfortable; 2)3rd-OD - works well in town at about 35 - TC is locked and the e-brake works - have to watch the low rpms though; 3)(but not least) acts as a gear splitter while towing. The last reason was the main reason for getting the unit and I am pleased with that part as well.

Sorry I can't answer your question better. One thing it won't do (at least I hope not) is pay for itself in fuel savings (that would mean the price of fuel would be pretty doggone high).

As DCL pointed out, it won't operate in 4WD. The unit mounts after the transfer case. If you need to split gears in 4WD or low speeds, the GV may not be the one for you.

[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 08-09-2000). ]

 

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I have the U. S. Gear overdrive unit in a 3500 2wd 3. 54 5spd. It is perfect for towing max GCW in 4th over for 65 to 70 mph at about 2200rpm. The only drawback is the lack of qualified techs local in this part of the country. When running empty in double over I get 80mph at about 1900rpm. Too many variables to nail down mileage.

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98. 5 24v 3500 E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs

 

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GeneA,
Pulling in 4th gear was what I was looking for! It sounds perfect for my needs.
I ordered the fully splined shaft, 5th gear and nut from www.nationaltransmission.com
I hope this cures my paranoia. I'll have to save my pennies to get one of those overdrives!
Thanks a bunch for all the good info... ... .
Ron

 

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RD:
Whose going to do the transmission work for you or are you going to do it yourself? If you're going to have it done, what's it going to cost?
Thanx.

 

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Ron,
I have a '97 3500 4X4 automatic. I had a US Gear installed at Camping World. I know the installation left a lot to be desired when my driveshaft fell out and hit my fuel tank 65 miles after I picked up my truck. I was in San Diego, so I put it back together myself. I had it taken out seven days later when both my wife and I would cringe when it shifted. The echo of the load bag was too much for both of us. They tell me US Gear doesn't make as loud of a bag when installed with a stick shift. I had a Gear Vendor in my last Class A motorhome and it worked excellent.
Buckaroo2Bob@msn.com

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Buckaroo2Bob

 

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EZ94,
I think I'll carry the new shaft and gear in my goody bag as insurance. I had a good mechanic repair it when the nut stripped it's threads and I'm going to see how long his fix last.
They say you can tell when it's ready to go as you can feel more vibration in the shifter. When/if I feel this vibration I'll take it to the guy that did the first fix. He treated me real well, works with Joe Donnelly on projects, and I trust him.
The folks at National Transmission charge $175 to do it if you take the transmission out.