Gear Vendors install question

[TPotter1]

Currently own a stock 05' 2500 LB 2WD, looking at purchasing an 04' 3500 LB A/T 4x4 that has a Gear Vendors unit installed. Does anyone know if the addition of the GV unit (professionally installed) voids the Manufacturer's Warranty... powertrain or otherwise? I have no idea how involved the install is on these units... if they require tapping into the vehicle's wiring system or are strictly mechanical.



I realize different dealers have different standards, and I plan on calling mine tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone has an enlightening story or insight to add. They sound like good units, but I want to go into this purchase with my eyes wide open with regard to the warranty!

 

[dhill]

If it were a question I was asking my self, I would just go to the dealer that it would most likely have to go to for warranty work and ask them. If they won't, then I would ask myself, is this the truck I need?



Dave

 

[Lonestar]

I don't think that the GV would be a major problem. There really isn't any "harm" that it will do to your truck that I am aware of. BUT as you've said, be totally open and up front with the dealer. explain what it does exactly, and get there take on it.



You will LOVE the GV unit though!!



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[kscheffler]

Let us know what the dealer says. I've been hidding mine from the dealer so far. .

 

[olznut]

Ok, lemme ask this, how do those that have one in like it? I have 4. 10's in my 2wd, and it tach's a bit too high at freeway speeds for me.

 

[4xquadrod]

I have 4. 10s with 35" tires and at 80 mph I am at 1850 rpms. My main reason for the unit was to cruise without the drone. My only complaint is this.

The unit does not handle reverse well under a load. They tell me when towing, if I have to back up a hill or some other stress situation, do it in 4 lo.

 

[TPotter1]

OK, here's what the dealer said:



The unit should not cause a problem as far as they can tell, or have ever seen. HOWEVER, if I bring the truck in for a problem, and they determine the problem was directly caused by use of the GV unit, the problem will not be covered. They did say that they will not void the vehicle's entire warranty, they just won't cover a problem directly caused by the aftermarket unit... so I guess my air conditioning compressor and power windows are safe! (unless they tapped into the electrical system for the install. . then I'm screwed!)

 

[JUeckert]

you are touching on a subject that i wondered about myself. three months ago my brother recieved a wrecked 01 dodge with a gv unit in it[he owns a salvage yard]. the truck was a cummins with the nv5600 transmission,just like my 05 . brother gave me the unit,but i have yet to install it. i have been afraid that installin it on the transmission could lead to warranty issues if some thing were to ever go wrong with the transmission. not saying the unit itself could screw something up,but what if something does go wrong with the transmission itself,dont want the dealer to be able to use the unit as a scape goat! i do know that there is some electrical work in installing the unit,but it's really a simple process. the other issue i have with the unit is the gvwr rateing of the unit,30k is the working limit of the unit. i have a tendecy to exceed this on a routine basis with all my trucks.

 

[Lonestar]

From what I have researched and read, If you are going to be hauling heavy with your truck on a somewhat regular basis, the GV is not for you. I believe most of the "Heavy" guys will use the US Gear unit. It is not as user friendly, but it is a stronger unit. That being said, why don't you just ship that GV to Texas as I dont haul much weight :-laf :-laf



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[dgarcia]

I had my trans go out on my 3500 DRW, nv5600, the dealer tried to void my warrenty, also DC said that they would not honor the warranty. I took the unit off the truck before I took it in for the replacement of the transmission. My problem was that I told them on the phone that I had the unit installed. Gear Vendor will tell you that there unit will not void any warranty, but don't beleive it. :-{} I had a long talk with Jerry (at gear vendor), and he finally agreed that he said that the unit would not void the warranty. It took DC three months for them to do it right. In the long run I was lucky. I had to retain a lawyer, and tell DC that I was going after them with the lemon law. They fixed the truck and said if there was any evidence that I have put the gear vendor back on the truck they would void every thing on the truck.

Be very careful on what you install, and read the fine print on the DC warranty.

 

[WVanHemert]

and said if there was any evidence that I have put the gear vendor back on the truck they would void every thing on the truck.

Now see I believe they can't and shouldn't be able to do that, your body, interior and exterior should be covered no matter what. They could probably draw some kind of conclusion on the transmission, and drivetrain and maybe even the motor.

 

[JUeckert]

From what I have researched and read, If you are going to be hauling heavy with your truck on a somewhat regular basis, the GV is not for you. I believe most of the "Heavy" guys will use the US Gear unit. It is not as user friendly, but it is a stronger unit. That being said, why don't you just ship that GV to Texas as I dont haul much weight :-laf :-laf



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

well,i live in texas also,so it wouldnt have to be shipped far! but,i have another trk with a nv4500 in it and 4. 10 gears,might just have to install the unit on it... sorry. .

 

[Lonestar]

Hey it never hurts to ask!!! Good Luck with it. I have an 02' 3500 on the way with a 5speed instead of a 6, so it may be a mod I do to that truck.



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[TPotter1]

Well, the short time that I've owned the 3500, I remain impressed with the gas mileage and RPMs the GV unit provides. We picked up the truck in Denver, drove it back to Phoenix and the 1 ton DRW 4x4 got 2-3 MPG better mileage than my 2WD 2500! I did some testing on the way home and the RPMs dropped from 2000 to 1500 at about 65 MPH, hitting that 1700 sweet-spot at 65-70. I got 19. 7 MPG between ABQ and PHX without alot of the grades that were present between DEN and ABQ (about 16 MPG there). The truck only has about 15K on it, so there may be a bit more break-in left and it may get even better in the future! I towed my 37' 5th wheel last weekend and it did well towing the 5th at highway speeds too. Overall I'm very pleased. Ask me again if I have a problem with the truck and have to do battle over the warranty... I might be singing a different tune... but right now I'm glad the GV unit is on the truck!!

 

[Lonestar]

That is good to know. I am starting to look for a good used unit for my 02' 3500. I figure with 10 forward speeds, i'll be in good shape to pull whatever I want, and can get that great fuel mileage I've heard of.



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[Sakanuts]

This is a very sore subject for me!!! I just ordered a new 07 Ram with CTD, as my junk Ferd with the now famous 6. 0 has blown a head gasket, just like 50 thousand others going down the road. My mistake was that I installed your run of the mill Gale Banks Big Hoss kit (You can even get these at Camping World for gosh sakes!!) Soooooooooooo, my SuperDuty gave up the ghost. I took it in to the dealer, and after he made a couple of calls to FMC, to document my little indiscretion, the truck was marked being in a highly modified state, and no longer meeting Ford warrantee criteria. (Silly me!!) Luckily the ole' Ford runs great until you pull something, then all the water pukes out. Was able to slip into the Dodge dealer and trade'er in. I don't feel too bad though, as he is giving me 5000 bucks less then the truck would normally get in a trade. ( this is partially because this engine has such a poor reliability record, Ford is giving huge discounts to get rid of them for good, and then they will be able to start porking people with their new 6. 4. Anyways, enjoy your aux transmission, and hope for the best, as they will void your warrantee if given just a tiny chance...

 

[BHaden]

OK, here's what the dealer said:



The unit should not cause a problem as far as they can tell, or have ever seen. HOWEVER, if I bring the truck in for a problem, and they determine the problem was directly caused by use of the GV unit, the problem will not be covered. They did say that they will not void the vehicle's entire warranty, they just won't cover a problem directly caused by the aftermarket unit... so I guess my air conditioning compressor and power windows are safe! (unless they tapped into the electrical system for the install. . then I'm screwed!)

This is exactly as the Magnusu-Moss Warranty act intended. They MAY be able to void the transmission or rear end, but can't deny a window or chassis problem; not legally anyway.....

 

[TPotter1]

Quick update on the GV unit. A couple weeks ago while helping the in-laws move, I lost reverse gear while backing into their driveway. Long-story-short, I was able to get the truck to go into reverse by putting it in 4HI. I took the truck to the dealership to have the transmission looked at and they found a problem in the stock transmission (stock OD in the valve body). To my surprise, they didn't give me any hassle about the warranty, fixed the problem they found and only charged $100 deductible plus $70 labor to remove/replace the GV unit since it was not a stock part. Now the bad news... The reverse problem was not with the stock transmission issue they found and repaired. The GV unit needs to be replaced. I was very impressed that the dealership didn't try to blame the transmission problem they found on the aftermarket GV unit. If anyone living in Phoenix is looking for a good dealership, I'm giving my stamp of approval to Earnhardt Dodge in Mesa. So far, no games, no BS, just honest service!