Gear Vendors

[TMutziger]

Have been looking recently at a gear vendor over/underdrive unit for my pickup. More wishful thinking than anything as they are way out of my price range right now. Seems like the real deal. Big mileage and power improvements, and they are supposed to be very durable. Just wondering if anyone else is using one and what they think about them. I haven't seen anything posted on here yet about anyone using one. Tell me what you think.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

Take a deep breath. This is going to be long...

I picked a used Gear Vendor unit up for $1000 off of e-bay. After another $500 and a weekend, it was installed. The unit came from a wrecked Dodge with 130k miles so it is not new.

I have always had an interest in these things because I have a restored Triumph TR6 with a Laycock overdrive and it is wonderful. As it turns out, the Laycock design, tooling, etc, was bought by Gear Vendors. The GV unit is basically a beefed up version of what was used in 2 1/2 ton British trucks in from the 1970's. In fact, the unit in my TR-6 looks nearly identical, except for being a little smaller. The overdrive in my TR-6 is the only thing that has not been rebuilt in the 23 years I have had this car. I have gone through the engine transmission, rear diff, and suspension over the years.



I have had the GV in my Dodge for about 6 months. No problems other than the rear seal I replaced when I installed it and the new solenoid I bought but did not need (my wiring issue).



These are real numbers. No B. S.



As for the mileage improvements, it wasn't what I had hoped but there is an improvement.

I normally drive my truck like a grandma in an effort to use as little fuel as possible. I usually can do the whole commute without exceeding 1800rpm. with a very light foot. The low revs seem to be the key to getting better economy. On occasion, like to floor board it and rev it up to 2800 or so, and feel all that nice Cummins torque. I live in the Denver area, live at 6000ft elevation and work at about 5000ft.



My Truck: 2007 5. 9 with 6 speed G56 and the lower range 6th gear. 3. 73 rear end, 4x4, quad cab long bed with a topper and 285 tires. Smarty Jr set on level 2 (Towing) with the parameters all to standard. Speedo corrected to GPS using Smarty.



Commute: 60 miles round trip each day. 60% highway 60-70mph. 40% city with light traffic. Unloaded



Before the Gear Vendor Unit:

18 - 19 with an occasional tank at 19. 5. Overhead lie-o-meter reads 19-21.



After the Gear Vendor Unit:

19 - 20 with an occasional tank at 21. Overhead lie-o-meter reads 20-23



Towing: 6000 lb tandem 26ft travel trailer. Over a couple of passes. Round trip 625 miles. I only have 2 data points here. This is a regular camping trip for me.

Before the Gear Vendor Unit: 13mpg, overhead reads 14. 5

After the Gear Vendor Unit: 13. 5mpg, overhead reads 14. 5



Here is the interesting part.

Flat ground 55-60 mph (1400-1500rpm) with a super light foot, the lie-o-meter will read around 26. If I go up to 65 or 70, the meter reads 22, at 75, the meter reads 20. In this case, I don't have enough data to show more than what the lie-o-meter reads. I don't have the patience to drive 60 for a long trip.



Conclusion:

1. A lot of money to pay for only 1 to 1. 5 mpg increase. Doesn't help economy much if towing. Minimal economy improvements at 75mph.

2. Cool factor is as good as it gets.

3. Durable. With smarty on max setting, the unit will shift under load without a hitch, no slipping, no shuddering, no nothing.

4. Truck is super quiet at highway speeds. 65mph = 1600rpm. Great for road trips.

5. Gear splitting the G56 doesn't really help with the 0. 8 gear ratio. (4th over is close to 5th)

6. Shortening and getting the drive shaft angles right is a pain in the rear.

7. Conveniently shifts with a flip of a switch, under load or not.

8. Shift is very firm. I usually push in the clutch to smooth it out, but you don't have to.

9. Support from Gear Vendors has been superb. Excellent support, even with this 6 year old used unit.

10. Takes special oil that is recommended to be changed every motor oil change. I got the oil from Amsoil. It costs me about 8 bucks an oil change. Only takes an extra 5 minutes.

11. No overdrive with 4 wheel drive engaged. There is a lockout that will disengage the overdrive if you try to shift the transfer case. Although I have never tried it.



Overall Satisfaction: I love my Gearvendors overdrive! Would I do it again? Definitely for $1500, not sure for $3500, maybe...



Best Regards,



Sean Flanagan

 

[TMutziger]

Nice to see real numbers from actual use, not advertising b. s. I have an automatic. According to Gear Vendors, the increase in mileage is a little less for autos because they have a higher overdrive than the manuals. Still would be nice though for towing. You are right though, maybe not for $3500.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

Sean This is the second post of yours I have read and it is refreshing to see someone who states the simple facts instead of trying to look cool or regurgitating what they have read somewhere else

 

[mickeyblueyes]

so for $3500 you could drive 21000 miles @$3. 00 per gallon. If you are going to save 1 mpg or a little less with a auto. (Guessing 18mpg @ hwy speeds). The saving 210 gallons or 3780 miles. per $3500. Did I do this right?

 

[Sean Flanagan]

If you want to knock the fun out of anything, try and justify it with hard numbers.



Assuming mileage goes from 19 to 20. 5 at a cost of $3/gallon

You have to drive for 303k miles to justify $3500

or... 130k miles to justify $1500.



For what it's worth, the GV unit for the NP273/274 transfer case costs $3195, then you have to pay somebody to hack and re-balance the drive shaft. That is how I get the $3500.

 

[HHhuntitall]

When my wife bought her '97 2500 4x4, it had one already installed. It seemed to work well, and on long trips, we've had the mileage up to 26 mpg... . the pump is stock on this truck, as the wife wanted it that way. After having it a while, I decided I wanted one for my '97 3500 2x4. I spent the money, installing a newly remanned transmission I had, without the speedo sending unit(I had plans for the old 5 speed to go in my '98 12v 4 door 3500 conversion with auto). Anyway, in my '97, the mileage went from 18-19 to 22-25 empty, depending on my right foot, of course. I do tow a lot with this truck, so it often runs without the GV on, or when lightly loaded. My wife's 97 ran 29k miles before it started to get hard to shift. I pulled it down, and it was FULL of metal shaving. I had to replace the entire unit, and that was an argument, trying to get a dealer to sell me a unit, and not do the install. I wasn't about to let anyone else do the work. Anyway, Now that new unit has close to 20k on it, and it's starting to show some metal shavings in it, as well. My '97 at 29k miles is, too. I'm concerned for the longetivity with the heavy torque the Cummins makes. My '97 is fun to drive, though. The dyno said 389hp to the rear wheels a few years back, so I know it makes the power. When a PowerJoke or DuraJack wants to play, it's a lot of fun. We'll run up, and where we'll both sorta run outa gear, I'll just upshift, and wave before the cloud of smoke makes him dissapear... .....

 

[Matt400]

The GV units are good, I installed a few many years ago on some RV's, but what I would rather have is a true under drive so I could have a set of lower gears for towing.

A lower 1st & reverse for getting heavy weight moving and a lower O/D ratio once moving.



Dual Range Auxiliary Transmissions, Overdrive and Underdrive is what I would buy vs a GV unit.

Splitting gears while towing is not that practical IMO on these units, hook the trailer up and select underdrive, disconnect and select direct drive.

My 3. 73's with 48re and 285 tires enable a 70 mph cruise under 2000 rpm. It's just a tad tall for towing.

 

[wbrown02]

I have owned two trucks with the GearVendor units... First was my 95 3500 dullay 2WD with the 5 speed and 3. 55 rear end..... It worked very well without a problem and was great for splitting gears with the NV4500..... My current truck, 05 3500 2WD and six speed . 4. 10 rear end works well but the gear splits are not as good with the six speed... . reason being that the Gearvendor and the transmission have about the same spread..... Where it does work good is pulling hills... ... . Downshift to 5th and engage the Gearvendor and you are only a couple of hundred RPM's higher than being in sixth gear. . which we all know is not that strong... ... I tow mostly with the GearVendor off unless I come to a hill... ... NO trailer and it's 6th gear and overdrive which gives me 75 mph at 1900 RPM... ... Slight increase in fuel mileage with very light foot also.

I didn't buy it to save money..... I just like the way it works.....

 

[kscheffler]

I have had my GV since 20k miles now have 95k and have no problems. I have logged every fuel fill and have documented a 1. 5 mpg increase. I purchase my GV in 2002 for $2700 so they must have really increased price. I can run 70 mph at 1800 rpm the noise reduction is worth a lot to me for long trips. The unit is so simple to maintain and service I have been changing oil every 10k and have had no problems. And the 5 over gear is great for hill climbing when towing. The other consideration is that the reduction if RPM is also reducing wear and tear on the engine. Though I acknowledge the motor will far outlast the truck body. I do intend to keep this truck so my pay back was break even at 200k so after that I am in the green. I had a fuse blow on my painless a couple of months ago and had no GV for 50 mile until I got to the next town and it drove me crazy listening to the high engine RPM's until I got the fuse installed; and this was only 50 miles. You will not regret buying one but the entrance fee is steep. Plus if you do sell the truck you can remove it and install it on the next vehicle with the correct adaptors.

 

[hsmith]

I've used GV for a long time. Like it most times, hate it when it fails. It will never pay for itself in economy savings.

 

[JMarketos]

Others have responded with far more than I can offer, but I'll add my 0. 02- I installed a GV unit less than 1500 miles ago (I don't drive my truck much !). Mine is a 4 speed auto, and I use the GV for towing- run the main trans in 3rd with the GV activated, gives tach reading that is equivalent to having a "3. 5" gear, which is perfect for highway speed towing. Also can run in 4th + GV, which gives a stiffer "double overdrive". It is electronically (solenoid) shifted, so it does come in & out abruptly. Takes some learning how to feather the gas pedal when shifting (for smoothest shift). Honestly, I haven't put enough miles on the truck yet to check fuel consumption. I guess my sentiments are same as the others here- the GV unit installed as described, and no functional problems whatsoever. I hear they are pretty much bullet proof. BTW the typical GV installation involves modifying the original driveshaft for the truck- shortening it. I did not do that. I had a new driveshaft made. I was able to purchase the flange that bolts to the rear end, so the stock driveshaft remains totally intact in case I ever decide to un -do.



For anyone who wants the flange P/N for the AAM 11. 5, it is:

CMC05102161AA, purchased from a Dodge dealer in June 2009 for about $78.



Good luck with your decision. I'd say good bargain if you can find a used one that hasn't been thrashed. I believe the basic GV overdrive units are all same, and they sell different flanges depending on application. I think you can buy just the flange from GV, if you happen to find a deal on a used unit for a different truck- might be worth checking out.