gear vender

[ckusy]

newbee-would like to know if anyone has installed gear vendor,if so what do you think of it. thanks

 

[wsurf]

Just had one installed. Have not run it long enough to know durability but the double over really lowers the RPM (2100 to 1650 at about 65mph, auto trans) and noise. I hear that they are good units from everyone I know that has them, they shift real smooth.

 

[JWChessell]

I owned a '81 Chev 454 cu in GAS 1-ton 4-dr crew-cab DRW 4. 10 RAxR 3-spd Turbo 400 auto trans from '89 to '03. In '92 I purchased, repaired an installed a used Mitchell two-speed overdrive -- gear ratios were 1:1 and 28% OD. Total installation cost was about $1350. 00 (cost new and installed from a Mitchell dealer was about $2800. 00 at that time). The Mitchell raised gas mileage about 10%, which in the gas truck was an increase from approx 10. 5 mpg to 11. 5 mpg, although from time-to-time, especially with a tailwind and a long level drive with cruise control, I got as much as 13. 5 mpg.



Some quick math with the desk calculator indicates that during those 11 years PERHAPS I saved between $350 and $450 in fuel costs, meaning it would have taken around 30 years to recover my installation costs. What the Mitchell OD did do, however, was allow me to run lightly loaded on long trips at 65 to 70 mph without high engine noise, and still get about 10. 5 mpg, rather than the 9. 5 mpg we had been getting at those speeds before installing the Mitchell. It was the TIME element that the Mitchell affected, as opposed to driving range or cost -- we could make a 400 mile trip in 6-1/4 hrs rather than 8 hrs, and still remain within fuel budget for the trip (not counting the cost of the overdrive itself, of course).

 

[wsurf]

I agree with JW. I got one for towing (my 4 speed auto now has more gears) and the lower RPM and noise at cruse. I can now do 65 to 75 without high RPM's. You cannot make the mileage increase pay, but what is a couple of thousand when you spend 30 to 40K on a truck !!

 

[Khood]

The guys at GV told me once I switch that gear to OD I'd be hooked. I WAS! I've got the 4. 10 axles,at 70 mph 2400+ rpm.

With GV shift,I'm running 1650 rpm at 70 mph. Its smooth too.

Call the guys they'll tell you all you need to know. I believe they like the calls. Its not cheap ,but it will give you more gear options

other wise you'd never have. Installation was easy if you are some what mechanical. The biggest problem is having someone to do the driveshaft shortening. Mine was $115. 00.

As for economy it can only be better. As for payback,it would be a long run for the cost. For me and now,with the 6 speed run-

ning 70+ mph for hours on end ,its good to have.

 

[Hercules130]

So how do you guys like your gear vendors overdrive? if i understand correctly the gear venders mount after the t-case? so no 4x4 in OD? i don't know why you would want 4x4 in OD, but i am trying to figure out why us gear mounts between the trans and t-case. the us gear sounds stronger and it can be used with exhaust brakes. , but on short beds you have to modify the fuel tank, i don't know how you could modify the fuel tank. my only problem right now is i have the G56 and there is no after market for it yet.

 

[betterthanstock]

I've spent lots of time a couple of years ago researching the pro's and cons of double overdrive.

The pro's: lower rpm, more gears with the automatic. With the stick it's too many gears to be useful.

The con's: Fuel mileage drops by 3% every time you go thru another gear. If the unit had a taller ratio that you could use with O/D off (or in fifth gear with stick) then there would not be that penalty. As it is, the engine uses a bit less energy, but the O/D box wastes more than half of the savings.

If you have a stick, or an auto with 4. 10 gears, get 315 tires (35 inch). If you have a 3. 73 auto. get 285 tires. The rpm's are almost perfect this way, about 1900 at 70 mph. If you put 315's on a 3. 73 auto, it will be 1800 at 70, but it will keep shifting up/down at 55 mph, so you may hate that, and will lose a lot of starting (towing) power. You can use 4-LOW for boat ramps.

A lot less money than an overdrive, if bigger tires work for you.