over/under drive unit

[DonTX]

Not real sure if it would fit your purpose, but you might check out the Gear Vendor unit. I have one on my RV, it allows full power shifts either up or down. Makes a 7speed out of my Allison 545 four speed. Pretty neat outfit.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

There was a company called "Advance Adapters" who built overdrive units

They are the company that bought the Warn units. They are now marketed as "Saturn". I've had two. Unfortunately, as nice as they are, they wouldn't handle the CTD.



If you have 4x4 or ebrake you will want the US Gear instead of the GV.

 

[RickL]

Advance Adapters is still in business although I haven't seen one of the catalogs since my Chevy-powered Land Cruiser days. You should be able to find them on the web.

 

[deoc4114]

Advance adaptors is on the web ( www.advanceadapters.com ). They also make a 2 speed overdrive that goes between the engine and transmission which is aimed more at towing than the saturn OD. It may have only 2 speed, but it is also new and has a warranty.



Hopes this helps

 

[WOT]

What's the product name? Having trouble finding in on their site.



WOT

 

[RHARVEY]

Here is a little history lesson for ya. . The name of the gear box was Brown-Lipe... or Brownie for short. The information below tells the story. .



Established in 1880 by Charles E. Lipe, the son of a German-born farmer, the machine shop became a haven for inventors and an incubator of industries. Lipe himself was prolific, inventing a cigar-rolling machine, a broom-winding machine, motion picture equipment, automatic looms and time recorders.



Working with Alexander T. Brown, another engineering whiz, Lipe devised a two-speed gear for bicycles. In 1895, the two men started the Brown-Lipe Gear Co. , which soon found a market supplying differentials to the automobile industry. Brown-Lipe Gear eventually became the Inland Fisher Guide unit of General Motors, which employed more than 1,300 people in Salina until GM closed that plant in 1993.



Now you know the rest of the story...



Rick

 

[WOT]

Anyone know what the specs are on the Brown Lipe 6041 model?

 

[rteig]

Gear Vendors Units

I was looking at the Gear Vendors site and according to their pricing schedule it would be $3K for my 2000 4X4 not including installation. Does/has anyone had any experience with these units on the Dodge Cummins? With the current price of fuel I am basing all of my purchases/upgrades on investment return(i. e. at the current $2. 50, which just went up to $2. 69/gallon, for every 1 mpg increase how many miles would it take to pay for that part in fuel savings) I just installed a mandrel bent, 4" turbo back exhaust and a K&N FPIK system and figured if they each picked up 1 mpg in 1200 miles they would have returned the purchase price in fuel savings.

 

[WOT]

Only thing bad I have heard about them is:

problems with clutches slipping in reverse with large loads

won't work with exhaust break



I'm not sure about your math for ROI... . if the mods cost $500 and you go from 16 to 18 MPG and fuel is $2. 50 / gallon it will take 28800 miles to recover your costs. Maybe my math is incorrect - college was a long time ago

 

[EagleEye]

2 speed rear end...

I wished I had an OD, but with the larger fuel tank, there ain't much room behind the transfer case to fit anything.



Has ANYONE looked around for a 2 speed rearend that MAY fit a 3500 application???



That would be the ticket while hauling down the freeway, and it appears they would be strong enough. Seems like gearing and mounting would be the major issues. And having mounts relocated, or the axle's shortened wouldn't be too bad.



Unfortunately, my knowledge of who made them and the setup inside is 'NIL'. I don't even know what vehicles they were on.



Any help??? This is one idea that I would like to steer to, but need basic info before searching and spec'ing out to even see if it is feasible.



May be just a pipe dream.

 

[mllott]

"Brownie" Box

Hello,

I have the "E" below, found it on eBay a few years ago and thought it was neat enough to buy without a specific application. Thought about using it on my Blue Bird motorhome, but not sure if it is stout enough. I am thinking about using it on my 91 Dodge. You should be able to find one somewhere, maybe even eBay - just keep your eyes open.

Mark

What you are describing sounds like the old "Brownie" auxilliary transmission.
This would be a "divorced" setup with a lever (or cable, if you cold fabricate it) type of shifting.

They were made in two series, models 5231 & 5831(weighing in at 150 lbs) and model 8000 (weighing in at 500 lbs).

This product was originated in the '40s and bought by Spicer in the early '60s.
The box had three gears; over, under, and direct. They were generally found in GMC 5000 series trucks (and larger). I'm not sure when they quit making them, but they have, so it's junkyard time! There's probably some source out there who offers this unit as a rebuild. ???

There were seven different models altogether, based on the 5831series.
And obviously, it's the 5831 that would work best for the pickup truck folks.

A - 1. 54U - 1. 00D - 0. 73O
B - 2. 35U - 1. 00D - 0. 85O
C - 2. 00U - 1. 00D - 0. 73O
E - 1. 27U - 1. 00D - 0. 73O
F - 2. 00UU - 1. 27U - 1. 00D yes, this one is "double under"

The "D" and "G" model ratios are unknown. The 5831 holds 4 pints of lubricant and the tag on the unit usually reflects a relationship to General Motors and Dana.

Steven

 

[cojhl2]

There were 4 speed brownies also. I have driven a number of them including a 359 year before last that had a 5 speed main and 4 speed aux. The top slot was the OD.



They were a nice setup but with the intro of Eaton/Fuller Roadranger transmissions all others became obsolete overnite.