Gear Vendors 2 speed?

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Does anyone out there run the Gear Vendors 2 speed over/under drive unit on the automatic?
If so what are your driving impressions and some speed v. s. rpm numbers with your tire size and differential ratio would be much appreciated!!

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1999,2500 (white)4x4,QC,LB,ISB,AUTO,3. 54's Track Loc, All options except leather,Factory Flares(Black),Tow package , Camper package, Rhino Lining(Black), 285/75r16 ,K&N Filter, Waiting to BOMB the heck out of it(I need your inputs first !!!)Based on many inputs(THANKS) Bill K's TC and valve body,P. E. fueling box, DD stage 1 injectors, Psychotty air, Jardine 4'' exh. Autometer Egt,50 psi boost, trans temp Guages dash mounted with Autometers triple mount.
In the process of putting it all together!

 

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I have the Gear Vender and auto, 410 Rear end,245/75/16 tires. gives about 18 MPH more @ the same RPM. I get a strong 2 MPG increse nontowing,highway driving. I like it and its fun to play with. But if I had it to do over I would check out changeing the Rear end Ratio first and weigh the price differance.

Steve

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95,2500,auto,410;2-WD
Gear Vender Overdrive
tst #5

 

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Don't have it, but: Note that you have 3. 54 gearing with auto. Your overdrive ratio is already quite high, probably only 2000 RPM at about 73 MPH? I think you will find the 1. 33 overdrive will not really be usable with any load at all, and if you run it anyway you wouldn't see any MPG increase at all. If you are, however towing a large hunking load and are looking for more pulling power a underdrive application might be worthwhile.

The main reason for overdrives are for gear splits and high speed running in 4-speed manuals and old 2-speed Hydromatics. They still make sense with 5-speeds manuals and 3-speed autos, or any transmission with short rear-end gears (4. 10 or higher ratio). However, they don't have a payback on 6-speeds and 4-speed autos (i. e. , overdrive tranmissions) with 3. 54 gearing in my opinion. Would be fun to play with, but an expensive item.

Again, just my opinion. I am sure there are lots out there who have spent a couple of grand on an overdrive that are as happy as punch.

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Just got my 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but those lights on top of the roof), White over Silver, Tan leather. Picked it up 8/31/00.

 

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Gearvendors or USGear (their ratios are close enough to be the same)lists the ratios with and without the OD engaged on their web site. With a 4:10 the overdrive matches the 3:54 ratios and splits the wide 3rd to 4th A/T gap.

I'm running stock tires and love the extra gear it gives me. I can keep the engine RPM in the sweet spot and lower the grade a percent or two on the long climbs.

I have heard that shifting the US Gear is pretty rough with an A/T. By timing the Gearvendors shift with the OD button I can make a very smooth shift most of the time.

Negative points are that it is a few bucks and adds one more item that needs to be maintained.

Overall I am very pleased with mine.

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John S. '99 QC 1T 4. 11 A/T Leather Driftwood, 50 Gal aux tank/tool box, gearvendors, BD brake/autolok, BD ISB comp, guages, BD Pressure Lock and Pract. Sol. Boost Elbow.

Just a Little BOMBed and liking it a lot.

 

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Can someone e-mail me some info on these overdrive units? I can't think of much else to buy for my truck. If anyone does reply to me, give me a roundabout price, cuz I may throw the idea out the window when I hear the numbers! I have 4:10 5spd.

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Mine: '93 250 LE 4x4 5spd 4:10 Pwr win/loc/mir,cruise,dual 5" chrome stacks,12cm2 turbo,pyro/boost,diamond plate tool box, CB, 16x10" AR rims, 285/75/16 Bf goodrich, US Gear E-Brake,Fuller Roadranger shifter, PW injectors, K&N. "wirenut_21529" on Yahoo Messenger
Moms:'96 Ford B-Series school bus (5. 9 Cummins!)I'm gonna Bomb it!
Dads:'94 GMC 2500 6. 5L Turbo
pictures.

 

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The US Gear auxiliary transmission can be purchased in EITHER the 20% OVERdrive version OR the 20% UNDERdrive version. The 20% underdrive model would be an excellent choice for use with the 47RE automatic transmission and 3. 54:1 axle ratio.

 

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Here is site for Gear Vendors: http://www.gearvendors.com/

Note that with 4x4 your options on over/under drives are complicated somewhat. With Gear Vendors the unit goes behind the transfer case and outputs to the rear drive shaft. This means it can't be used in 4x4 (they provide a lock-out to prevent this) and the rear drive shaft has to be shortened. Also, due to its planetary gear design it should not be engaged while using an exhaust brake. Figure close to $2,000 installed and you won't be suprised.

I don't know much about the US Gear unit, but I think it goes between the transmission and the transfer case and has its own complications with the 4x4.

 

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Correct Ski Bum. The US Gear unit installs between the transmission and the transfer case (on 4x4s), necessitating the lenghtening of the front driveshaft, shortening of the rear driveshaft. I would however, not consider this a "complication". The plus to this is the use of the overdrive (or underdrive) unit while in 4WD.

 

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I have heard say that the US Gear is noisy. Anyone care to comment about that?

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Gene Earl, White '97' 3500 Laramie SLT, Ext Cab, LB, 5 SPEED, 4. 10 Limited Slip, 4X4. Isspro Boost and Pyro, (pre-turbo), SW Fuel pressure, in a 3 guage A-Pillar mount. No muffler. AFC Wheel 40 Clicks Fwd. (it's a start).

 

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I fitted a 518 in my 89 to replace the 727. At the time I simply could not afford the Gear Vendors. After replacing two tailshaft bearings in less than a year, I'm beginning to regret my choice. I use a Gear Vendors controller to shift the 518. If I had it to do over, I would keep the stronger 727 transmission and slap a Gear Vendors unit on the back!

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N air filter, cleaned-up exhaust, Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt pump, 12cm wastegated turbo, thermostaticly controlled twin 14" electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, R-134, louvered fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothe grille; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. Jesus saves!

 

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MuddFlapp, I have heard of the noise concern as well although, I believe it is unfounded. Here's why; A friend of mine used to have a Doug Nash overdrive installed in his Ford touring van. As this is a VERY quiet vehicle inside, I can assure you there was NO audible drivetrain noise inside the van... this was an observance of mine while driving it on numerous occasions. The relevancy of all this is... the US Gear overdrive (or underdrive) auxiliary transmission IS the old Doug Nash unit. US Gear purchased this from Doug Nash, making a few changes along the way. The noise issue was "known" back in the Doug Nash days so, US Gear changed the gear pitch from 11 degrees to 16 degrees. This decreased noise without sacrificing strength.

 

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I've been thinking of a US Gear or Gearvendors OD unit, but I think I'd like to find a used one to try. Does anyone know of a used one?