Question For US Gear owners

[CumminsAholic]

I couldn't find any 255/85's in an E when I looked around either. Before you do anything Kev I think that you should put on the 255/85's I'd say you'll gain 10% or more mileage. I did with my auto. So if you're getting 15, I'd guess just under 17. If you need new tires anyways, it's a good time to try it. This should put you somewhere around the 3:73 ratio(3:70 to 3:80 my guess). The only problem I had with the 255's is that they wore out really fast, 10k. But they were off brands and that's probably what I got for being cheap. They were also on a 3/4 ton. I have over 20k on mg BFG's and they're still looking great. If it's not enough or a gain, then when you need new tires again, you could drop to stock tires and 3. 54 gears. Just another opinion. If you find 255's in an E let us know what brand they are... I'm sure there's a few people that would like to have some. Corey

 

[FM]

I thought I read the 3500 would handle 315s w/o a lift. Is'nt a 255 smaller?



Thanks James,

Another perfectly good idea shot to **ll.



Fred

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by FM

I thought I read the 3500 would handle 315s w/o a lift. Is'nt a 255 smaller?



Thanks James,

Another perfectly good idea shot to **ll.



Fred

YIKES! Don't know where you read that!! Far as I know, 255's are as big as the Dually will go- and that is ONLY if you have a 2000 and up. 1999 and earlier will only go to 235's. Didge changed the offset in 2000 which allows for the larger tires. It's also the reason I can't find rims to fit, but THATS another story ...



As far as 255 E rated tires, my local rubber monkey (aka tire saleman) says they just flat do not exist. Somone in another thread said that Cooper made or makes them, but if they do, it is not listed anywhere on their website.



Kev

 

[GiesJ]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

As for tires- Mark- remember I have a 3500- 265's won't fit and I don't want spacers. Jason- if your friend is talking 255/85's in an E- find out what he's running please.



Kev

Kev -

Mark is the buddy I refered too. I couldn't remember what size he purchased in E - now we know it is 265/75/16. Mark is on the ball with this and knows that the 265s he's running won't work. I don't know that much about this and it looks like I made it more confusing. I know you can run 255/85s on a 3500 without a spacer. That, as stated above, could buy you as much as a mpg or two. What is the cost of 19. 5s (wheels and tires)? Maybe that would be a good intermediate (and maybe less expensive) option than the overdrive kit.

Anyway, I'm goig to bow out of this thread and let the guys who know what they are talkin about continue and hope to learn some more. Good luck and let us know how it goes,

jason

 

[crawler]

Kev,



I do pretty well on the grades. Recently I swapped my tires to 225/85/16 E range and I like them pretty well. They allowed me to gear down a hair without going all the way to a 3. 73 gear swap. When I'm loaded heavy I have to grab 3rd in the mountains, but if I'm just running 30,000lbs I can stay in fourth through most of the hills and smaller mountains (Arbuckles etc. . ) Bigger mountains (Raton Pass, Helsinberg, etc. . ) get pulled in 3rd with the rpm pretty high. I'd rather run a big hill at 50mph in 3rd with higher rpms than at 60mph in fourth with low rpms and a better chance of slipping the clutch. That's how I made my stock clutch last over 120,000miles with an EZ and 4inch and K&N.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by GiesJ

[B What is the cost of 19. 5s (wheels and tires)? Maybe that would be a good intermediate (and maybe less expensive) option than the overdrive kit.

[/B]

Without getting into discussion pf pricing- Let's just say that I can get the US gear installed for about the same price as a set of 19. 5's.



Given a choice between the two I'd surely pick the US gear.



kev

 

[FM]

My error. The 315s were SRW.

 

[Dkevdog]

Well- I thought I'd bring an update to my decision... .....



I drove an 01 truck identical to mine with the only difference being that of the 3:55 rear. Makes all the difference in the world. He tows a heavier fifth wheel than I do, and being in the area, pulls the same grades... . without any problem.



SOOOOOOOOO, I've deceided to save my money and opt for the gear swap instead of the US Gear.



I'll let everyone know how THAT goes .



Thanks to everyone for their opinions and suggestions. While the US Gear might be what's best for some, it just won't do it for me.



Kev

 

[Turbo Thom]

After reading all these post not here comes Preston.



Been towing with the OD unit for 3 years. I had one burn up at 85K miles because I had it "overfilled". Lee says one qt of oil and that's it. One qt. I really don't how the thing cools itself but one is all it takes.



If you're buying the unit for milage increase, don't buy. The thing to do is slow down. I've noticed when I go to a "over" gear I speed up and more wind resistence overides the OD gear. Also with the upgrades I have and a heavy foot what will I see anyway? The reason I bought mine for is fifth gear loss. I had It happen 3 times and did't want to get caught in the middle of nowhere towing 15K and have to drive in 4th gear. 45 MPH don't get it with me. I did lose fifth one time and before I could I get back home I drove a week in 4th over @ 65 miles per hour. Now I can live with that for a while.



Another thing I really love about the gear split is towing in the mountians with "switchbacks" everywhere. I am constantly shifting in and out to keep the RPM in a non lugging state. Even though I have over 400 HP, I still watch the EGT's when I'm runnin 30 MPH in the hills. I can push more petal and get more power, but without the RPM's, I have enough power to break something. I just feel a whole lot better with a "power band" shift pattern.



I called Lee at US Gear and asked if this unit will fit an 03 five speed. He says it will so if I get a new truck the unit I have will go over to the new one.



I look at ease of driving in the hills, what I perceive as ease of load on the truck. I feel better watching the EGT's stay at 1000 and a higher RPM than feeling the engine "swell up" with power going up and egt's increasing.



Towing with the US Gear OD unit runnin 68 mph . I see right at 13. 5 mpg. Towing at only 68. Why? I gotta stop , don't I? My 96 don't have the best brakes.



Clunk... ... . Yeah it does. It is a spring loaded shifter. That's why if you engauge the shift lever and release the petal it will really "clunk". There is now such thing as one person shifting their's better that another. It shift's as it shifts. I ran mine on the drag strip and shifted 3rd to 3rd over, to 4th. Worked real well. You just have to remember to use the clutch to allow it to shift. If you can get by with changing the gears then that will be a cheaper way to go. I drove a 6 speed and will stay with the system I have. Fits me best.



. . PT. .

 

[rweis]

I have 235/85/16 now with 3. 54 2002 3500 auto.



If I wanted to rev a little higher and reduce the drive line stress a little would a switch to 215's be logical? Speedo would be off some about 10%? too high



Would be the same as swapping gears from 3. 55 to 3. 73 or there about?



Thanks,



Bob Weis

 

[Dkevdog]

Back TTT... ... . this is being discussed again.