Need more gears

[illflem]

From Utah Willie

Bill,

I have run the US Gear O/D on my '99 with the five speed for over 60,000 miles towing my 13,000 lbs. + Alfa for more than 20,000 of that and am very happy with it. The gear selection is great and the Mopar exhaust brake works perfectly with it. If I have to say anything negative about the USG, it is the clunk I get all to often when shifting in and out of O/D. Most of that is OE... . operator error



The USG works with 4WD as well... . Gear Vendor's does not!

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you can't use oil to cool the US Gear unit how about air? I never had my hands on one to see what they look like. Maybe put some kind of heat sink on it or direct air over it with some duct work?



Re: 13 spd RR. I think someone had done this. Adds a bit of weight not to mention surgery on the floor.

 

[LarryB]

I think if and when I decide to try something else to get the 2sp cooled down, I might try building a heat exchanger. I'm thinking of using the engine cooling water run through a block of aluminum bonded to the gear case. If one could keep the oil temp to low 200s I'm sure the life would be greatly extended.

 

[BV]

Auxilary Over/Under drives

Bill - Here is what you needSherman Step Up Trans



Okay now seriously - I know you have hear about US Gear and Gear Vendor but there might be a third option that I heard about and rumored was that Chicago Gear now makes an over/under unit.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Here's the link to the RoadRanger trans thread:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36669



Brian

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by NVR FNSH

Here's the link to the RoadRanger trans thread:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36669



Brian

Cool picture on his website except I would rather see the Dmax on the Dodge



Thanks for posting that. I was thinking 13spd. Ten would do just fine though.

 

[drees1]

Overdrives....

My gearvendors has 147,000 on it and is fine. It was in the truck when I bought it. The ratios and splits are good, and I have 4. 11 gears. Would I buy another?, or a new one? I don't know. It is a lot of money, receipts from the original owner are $2500. 00 out the door with shaft mod included. Works fine though, and I do use it in 5th over with the pac brake, no problems. I do not use it in OD with the E brake in any other gear. But do not need to.



I put a 6041 Spicer 4 speed auxillary behind the T19 4 speed in my last truck, a 83 F*** with 6. 9. Added a another stick to the hump in the cab. It was sweet, 2. 1 deep reduction, 1. 2 under, 1. 0 direct, and . 86 over. Created 10 perfectly spaced gears and improved the tow ability of that truck (175HP) unbelievably. Shifted the splits without the clutch, fast, and smooth. Only 2 shifts required both sticks to be moved, and the split was tight so if a little speed was lost it would pick it right back up. I guess I am reminising a little!! I'm not recommending that type of mod, but just reinforcing how great a lot of gears are



The total cost of that mod, with my install was $1,500, which included a "new" totally rebuilt 6041 unit.



I also tow in 5th over, 1750 - 2000 rpm and let the boost stay under 20 and the egt go on up. With stock turbo and #11 plate, the engine really works hard there, but I feel the fuel economy is better, and it sounds great. My 5 speed is a '98 model in my '96 truck, I guess I know why. But I do not know if the 5th gear situation is fully corrected. So, I will continue to tow heavy and see if it gives out. Then maybe I will shove in a big transmission.



The 13 speed RR is the best set of gears ever made for highway pulling. I think low hole on the 13 speed is 12:1. That would be great for creeping with a trailer.



Doug Rees