Gear splitting

[wsurf]

Was wondering the options for obtain a higher gear ratio. Have a 4. 10 rear end and was thinking about the Gear Vendor OD unit. Any other ideas, I have searched and came up with Gear Vendor and US gear. Another question would be: does this affect the warranty by installing one of these units?

 

[JHardwick]

A gear swap is cheaper, and you can't use the gear splitter in 4 wheel drive.

 

[SSage]

US Gear boxes go between the trans and transfer case, so they work in 4wd. Don't have one though.

 

[JHardwick]

That'd be cool, the one my buddy was telling me about was mounted behind the transfer and about $2200. 00. He said he could do a gear swap for $800. 00 ... ... $400. 00 cheaper than taller tires.

 

[Kilby]

Im picking my truck up today from getting a Gear Vendors unit installed. I didn't care about having the gear splitting capabilities in 4WD so GV was the better choice for me. I'll let you know how it works if you're interested.

 

[SSage]

$$$'s

I'm with you on the cost of those aux boxes... $$$$

It would take a lot of miles getting better mpgs to make up 2 to 3 grand in green backs. 3. 73 gears would be better on the bank account.



I would have one if I had the extra to spend. It would be nice to cruise at 1900 or so and keep the 4. 10's too.

 

[SSage]

Originally posted by Kilby

Im picking my truck up today from getting a Gear Vendors unit installed. I didn't care about having the gear splitting capabilities in 4WD so GV was the better choice for me. I'll let you know how it works if you're interested.

Please do, I like the GV idea better too. Less install work and I would only use it in 2wd anyway. If you don't mind, please let us know your total cost.

 

[Kilby]

The total will be $3345. 00 plus tax. No, that wasn't a great deal but the shop did knock off $100 off the retail price of the GV. I'm sure if one was to shop around, they'd get a better deal.

 

[SRadke]

An $800 gear swap in both differentials? Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I don't suppose I could up to like 3. 25's or something in the neighborhood? I really miss my 3. 50's with tall tires.

 

[CATCRACKER]

adding 315's get you in the 3. 40 range.

 

[SSage]

Originally posted by Kilby

The total will be $3345. 00 plus tax. No, that wasn't a great deal but the shop did knock off $100 off the retail price of the GV. I'm sure if one was to shop around, they'd get a better deal.

Ouch!



Are you running the 4. 10's?

 

[JHardwick]

$800. 00 is for both diffs (6 something for parts without a "good buddy deal")... ... . I think 3. 73 and 4:10 are the only option, my '99 had the 3:55 with auto. , so the 4:10 took me a little getting used to screaming down the highway @ 80 :-laf



I rarely use first, so I was considering the swap. I think I am getting used to the extra R's on the highway.

 

[Kilby]

Originally posted by SSage

Ouch!



Are you running the 4. 10's?

Yeah, 4. 10's and puny tires for a tad bit longer.



CAT, 315's will only drop my rpm by a couple hundred rpm. 4. 10's and 315's is more like a truck running 3. 73 gears and stock 31" tires (close enough).



I'm leaving now to get the truck so we'll see how she sings on the freeway.

My guess is around 1950 rpm at 80 with these puny tires.

 

[SRadke]

CATCRACKER-

I have considered 315's but I don't want tires that wide. Right now I'm leaning toward 19. 5 Alcoas when they come out. That should get me ample height without too much width. Are there any other options in 17"?

 

[wsurf]

Kilby,

Appreciate if you could post rpm's and MPH's. I think you rear end is a 4. 10. If you could please restate and let us know. Since I live in San Diego I'm interested in GV Customer Service and how good a job they did (craftsmanship) putting in the product. Thanks

 

[Kilby]

wsurf, I didn't have GV themselves do the install. A dealer called STC Performance did the work.



As suspected, the truck runs approx 1950 rpm while cruising 80 mph. Here are some quicky numbers that I observed today. I really need to spend more time behind the wheel to double check these numbers though. The first number is the mph, second number is normal rpm, third is rpm with GV in OD. All figures are approximate!



50/1500/??

55/1700/1325

60/1850/1425

65/2050/??

70/2150/??

75/2300/1800

80/2500/1950



#ad

 

[MMeier]

Kilby, did they make a one piece shaft or just shorten the stocker?? Mark

 

[Kilby]

They shortened the front half of the DS only. Here's a pic of the front shaft. #ad

 

[ab7fh]

What's with the hose clamp on the tailhousing of the OD unit??

 

[Kilby]

Heh heh! That was my first question too so I crawled under to take a look. It's a retainer of sorts for the rear seal. You can't see it too well but there's a steel tab at the bottom that comes up and presses against the rear face of the seal. The clamp holds the tab in place.