Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gear Vendor on Short Bed/Shaft Alignment

[kscheffler]

I am about ready to purchase a Gear Vendor. I have a quad cab short bed single piece draft shaft from the transfer case back to the rear differental. Does anyone have any experience with this type of setup with a GV. I am concern about the increase in the drive shaft angle since I will have to shorten the draft to install the G. V. Has anyone taken any pre and post drive shaft angle measures when installing a G. V. Better yet has anyone that has installed a GV experience any new vibrations once the GV has been installed?

 

[JFitzgerald]

Mine's a long bed. I believe it had a carrier bearing stock, which was removed when the GV was installed. It is now a one-piece shaft and has no vibes. As I understand it, the key is to keep the angles at both u-joints the same. You could use angle shims under the springs to adjust the pinion angle.

 

[kscheffler]

Fitzgerald: You are correct about keeping the angles the same and I have purchased a shaft joint alignment tool (I believe it is called an inclinometer). I don't under stand how adjusting the rear springs would help at all. I would need to either raise the rear axle or lower the tranfer case. So I don't understand the spring spacer. I am hearing that some owners are having problems with vibration have you experienced any problems. .

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you don't adjust the rear springs, you put an angled shim between the springs and the spring perches of the rear end... thus altering the pinion angle.



Forrest

 

[JFitzgerald]

Yep, that's what I'm talking about, Forrest.

 

[kscheffler]

Any NW bombers have a suggestion where I can get these wedges built in the Seattle area?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

any 4x4 shop will carry pinion angle shims... they're made by a myirad of different companies.



Forrest

 

[SnoKing]

Forrest Nearing



I think that is what happens when one runs off the road (in the NW)!



OH! Guess you had to be there! SNOKING

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Forrest Nearing



I think that is what happens when one runs off the road (in the NW)!



OH! Guess you had to be there! SNOKING

guess so, cuz I have NO idea what you just said!

 

[SnoKing]

Forest = 1. A large, thick growth of trees!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

ahh... I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes...

 

[monkfarm]

what did that GV cost you (if you don't mind me asking?)

 

[kscheffler]

$2759 from GV plus I need to install and provide shortened drive shaft. I think the drive shaft modification should be around $200

 

[monkfarm]

Thanks for the comeback!

 

[kscheffler]

Well I finally got my gear vendor installed and is my best bomb so far. I did not need to change the axle angle all drive line angles fell within exceptable tolerances. I did have an interference problem with a frame cross brace member. Had to have a new cross brace manufactured but I incorporated a skid plate for the gear vendor and all is well. My first trip 3500 miles I increased my fuel mileage by 2. 5 mpg averaging 76 mph. I think when I slow down to 70 I should get 3. 0 mpg increase if not more. Sure is nice reducing RPM from 2300 at 75 mph to 1750 at 75 mph the noise reduction is amazing. I have no idea how I got by without this unit.