Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gear Vendors Unit & 354 Gears

[ctdodgeram]

I am looking to go the other direction most seem. I tried the route of axle swap, but no takers. I sold the 2003 6-sp 2wd, which did wonderful.



I am back to using Mom's 1998. 5 dually auto.



I have the tall gears, and want more pulling power for the 15,000 # 5'er with the automatic. I can get going okay in 1st, but she backs down quickly on steep hills. I also don't like pulling in O/D, as she needs to go 75 for the sweet spot.



Anyone buy a G/V unit with this combo, and are you pulling in 3rd with the Gear Vendor O/D on (not Dodge O/D)? How's it do on the hills?



Thanks in advance!

 

[RAJohnson]

I am looking to go the other direction most seem. I tried the route of axle swap, but no takers. I sold the 2003 6-sp 2wd, which did wonderful.



I am back to using Mom's 1998. 5 dually auto.



I have the tall gears, and want more pulling power for the 15,000 # 5'er with the automatic. I can get going okay in 1st, but she backs down quickly on steep hills. I also don't like pulling in O/D, as she needs to go 75 for the sweet spot.



Anyone buy a G/V unit with this combo, and are you pulling in 3rd with the O/D on? How's it do on the hills?



Thanks in advance!

I run a Gearvendor on my HO 6-speed, but it was on my 95 CTD Auto with 4:10 gears.



Are you going to buy a Gearvendor? Or do you have one?



When it was on my 95 I would lock out the OD when coming in to hills. The gearvendor is either split or not split. So you would be able to pull the Auto down in to a different gear to maintain a RPM or MPH. Yes I did run my gearvendor with my transmission in overdrive going level or down hill, but I had to talk to the factory and assure them that I new what I was doing, because there typical set up locks out the gearvendor when your Auto is in overdrive. The stock Torque converter is OK for what your asking as long as you take it easy on it when pulling in overdrive and split.



Rob

 

[ctdodgeram]

I do not have a G/V unit as of yet. My first thought was swapping 410's with someone. That still may be a possibility, but more work than just adding a G/V unit & shortening Driveshaft. It's also way more expensive, but better if I only pull 5% of the time.



G/V told me this would work, as the Dodge 3rd gear was much better towing with the G/V O/D engaged. This is probably true, but I don't know what's going to happen when I get to a hill starting out. Yes, I'll have less drop in RPM between gears, but is it enough to keep the automatic from over working?



I'm surprised you put a G/V unit on the 6-speed. I jus sold my 03 6-sp, and with the 373's, it pulled the 5'er like a dream, without any issues. I needed to lose the payment.