Installing a USGear Overdrive?

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I finally ordered my USGear Overdrive today for my 2001. 5 ETH. It won't ship until next Monday, but should arrive by the end of next week, just in time for the weekend (I hope).

Camping World needs five weeks lead time to do anything, including wiping their own butts, so they don't get the job.

It looks like I may do it myself; I've been told it's not difficult. The only thing I'm concerned about is measuring the length that the driveshafts need to be lengthened and shortened to. I'm debating having the truck towed to a driveshaft shop afterward so they can be sure the fit is precise.

Thoughts?

Rob

 

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Rob
I just had a new 2pc driveline made for my rig. Goto the driveline shop first and they probably have a handout telling you exactly how to measure. Mine fit perfect, it better for the price.
Larry

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1972 Chinook class C with 96/215 5spd, 4/5" exh, 4"BD, MagHytec, 85gal fuel, K&N RE0880, AutoMeter, 370's, BD gov kit, BD afc kit, yada-yada-yada
www.fostertruck.com/cummins

 

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Rob, if I remember correctly, you will need to shorten the rear drivesfaft by 11. 25" and extend the front driveshaft (i. e. , new driveshaft tube) by the same amount (assuming you have a 4x4).

Good luck with your project... . please let us know how it turns out. #ad

 

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Hey Rob I think John is right just measure the length of the OD assy and take out that much from rear and add to the front that's what I did and it works just fine. I e mailed you this morning when I got a message from HVAC saying you needed some HELP give me a call.

 

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My US Gear Overdrive arrived yesterday and today (the unit itself was yesterday, and today was the adapter kit and wiring/instructions). The guy I got it through was able to find one in stock at a warehouse that still had the older (non-defective) adapters, so I didn't have to wait 4+ months for the new one.

This weekend I'll do the installation. I have a friend lined up to come help. I've already read through the instructions twice, and I'm sure I'll do it at least twice more before then.

The adapter plates, when attached to the unit, make its total length 12. 5". I'm going to call the local driveline shop tomorrow that will do the work on the driveshafts and ask them if this is all they need, or if they want me to do all the funky measurements for angles and stuff.

The instructions on its operation are a bit confusing. The regular shifting part I understand... pop the switch, wait 2 seconds, then flash the clutch. No problem. But the split-shifting part confuses me, and I'm assuming this means switching the unit on or off while also changing gears. Can anybody who has one explain this better?

Thanks!

Rob


Rob

 

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The local Camping World installed my US Gear OD unit, and had a new ONE PIECE driveshaft made for the installation - a change *I* higly recommend, since the driveshaft is much shorter with the OD installed, and the low speed "shudder" some owners report at low speed is eliminated when the 2-piece driveshaft is eliminated.

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Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

 

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How much did that driveshaft cost you? I might have to do the same, and it'd save me from modifying the original one...

I've tried to get two Camping Worlds to do the installation of this thing. The closest one in Fairfield has a 6-8 week lead time, and the one in Gilroy insists that they no longer do business with US Gear and therefore won't install their products.

Me, I'm done with Camping World. I've had far too much trouble with them.

Rob

 

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Any opinions on Gear Vendors vs US Gear? Price difference? Reliability for towing? How do they shift between gears?
I'm still trying to decide which one if at all. Thanks for comments.

Ed

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1999 QC SLT 4x4 LB 2500 Cummins, 6 speed, HD.

 

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I was told by somebody in the know (Blair?) that you cannot brake against the GV unit when it's engaged. Meaning when you're going downhill using your exhaust brake, you better have it switched off, or you'll burn it up.

I also heard from somebody else in the know that somebody who works for one of the diesel vendors managed to break two GV units within a year's time. That's when they went to the US Gear unit.

Also, the US Gear is about $500 cheaper than the GV.

Rob

 

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Here is a suggestion: Save the original drive line(s) so if you decide to buy a new truck you can de-install the unit and transfer it from old to new by just buying a new adapter kit. You can pick up a used drive in an have Ujoints installed at the same time for a reasonable amount and it can be modified before you start your install if you know the measurements.

 

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Rob - dunno about price for the one piece shaft, was part of the whole installation package. My install was at the Fairfield (actually Cordelia) CW - and they did a FANTASTIC job! Dunno if the same installer is still there, my US Gear unit was installed quite a while back, but if he IS still there, I would sure recommend him.

As far as advantages of GV vs US Gear, I've had both, and personally feel the US Gear unit is stronger and more reliable - but it also shifts harder as well, giving a sort of "clunk" when changing gears...

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Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

 

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Rob: When shifting up or down, actuate the lever for the two seconds keeping the strain on the drive line (i. e. power) then you merely complete your shift with the manual transmission as usual, and the aux shifts as you let off the stain on the drive line during the shift. You will hear/feel a slight clunk but that is normal for the US Gear. Hope that helps.

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98. 5 24v 3500 2wd 3. 54 lsd pyro & boost in A pillar DD1's E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 105 gal aux tank 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs

 

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In general, when measuring for driveshafts you measure the center to center distance of the u-joint caps, with the vehicle sitting on level ground. Simply measuring the length of the OD unit does not take into account the effect that the change in angle has on the driveshaft length.

Pete

 

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If you shorten the shafts they will need to be rebalanced. I like BV's advice get new ones and keep old so you can take the gear box to a new truck. Any drive line shop can do the work for you.

 

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illflem, that's true however, it can be pretty expensive having both a new front and (two-piece) rear driveshaft fabricated (COMPLETE including balancing). I've gone this route before (similiar, but for a different reason).

pcorssmit, is correct... . basic trigonometry.

 

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Rob good luck on the 2 speed install tomorrow you know where we will be if you need anything give us a call.

 

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Rob;
Two things to remember. Balance---Balance----Balance and the correct angle from rearend and tail shaft of transfer case/and/or transmission. Viberation will result from either being bad.
Good luck.
Preston

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96 3500 Black 5 speed turbo diesel, SLT, with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , with other goodys on the way.

 

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What a busy day! Finally packed it in about three hours ago when the light finally was gone. I was tired, and was at a good stopping place.

Problem: The replacement linkage they sent me is too long. I wonder if they sent me the wrong one? It's probably 3-5" too long, as with it attached to the lever end, it wouldn't slide itself short enough to attach to the transfer case.

Observation: The instruction sheet misses a step entirely. When you get to the part where you're supposed to reattach the transfer case with the second adapter plate, there is NO mention made of how to attach the adapter plate to the xfer case. You have to remove the studs from the xfer case and use the other six bolts to bolt the plate to it.

Rob



[This message has been edited by RobG (edited 12-10-2000). ]

 

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Hey Rob, I wonder if you mistakenly have the transfer case shift linkage for a '97 and prior transfer case? Remember, the shift pattern as well as the shifter assembly were changed for '98.

[This message has been edited by John (edited 12-10-2000). ]

 

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Hey Rob US gear can't seem to get the linkage thing straightened out you will need to modify it I have had this problem several times. Don't bother getting them to send you a new one they probably won't get it right. Let me know if you need a hand.