Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Two Speed Rear Axle

[DTullis]

I remember when most big trucks had 2-speed axles.



I have the 3. 73 axle, but at times I would really like to have the 4. 10. I talk to people with 4. 10 who say same thing about the 3. 73.



Wonder why someone doesn't offer a 2-speed axle?



Would it be possible to adapt a 2-speed axle to my truck?



I have never seen this topic mentioned and just wondered what others thought?

 

[Chipstien]

Seems to me that all 2 speed rear axles are way too big for our trucks. Would be nice though. I would love a 2 speed rear with 4. 10's and 3. 27's.

 

[BJMarshall]

A much less complicated solition is out there. Gear Vendors over/under drive would accomplish exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Tcolesanti]

I've heard the U. S. gear unit is very well built and it mounts before the transfer case so it can be used in 4wd also (for us 4wd guys)

 

[bmoeller]

You could probably install a 2spd axle. You would have to switch to a minimum 20" dia. wheels to clear the OEM brakes on the axle, unless it it possible to swap in something smaller.



The differential is much bigger, and heavier than the Dana 80 you have now. If you have 4x4, you would have to lock out the low side while in 4x.



I think you would be money and time ahead to get the Gear Vendors or US Gear unit.

 

[DTullis]

Thanks for your help. The 2-spd axle was a silly idea.



I had seen some GM 1-tons with 2-spd years ago. Took some research to find out for certain. That was about 1962 or so. They were 13K axles; however, engines were less powerful in those days and the ratios were 5. xx and 7. xx. Couldn't have been very many in any event.



I had forgotten about the US Gear and Gear Venders. As I recall they work best as an over drive. I have the 3. 55 axle. I am going to look at them again.



Thanks again,



dont

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by DTullis

The 2-spd axle was a silly idea.

I wouldn't call it a silly idea at all. That thought has crossed my mind before. Either that, or a transmission with the right gears to begin with to work the the diff ratio, meaning a double O/D for the trucks with 4. 10s. Then you could have the best of both worlds without having to add something like the US G or GV unit.

 

[justinp20012500]

I have heard that the overdrive units don't perform well under extreme amounts of power???

 

[RHARVEY]

10 speed Road Ranger!



Rick

 

[rashwor]

Rick...

what are the gear ratios in the 10 speed Road Ranger? Got one in a Dodge?

 

[Rockcrusher]

I have thought for years that Eaton or other axel makers have missed the boat by not making two speeds for pickups. Had given serious consideration for gear venders, but didn't like their "cork" clutch. US Gear looks good.

The six speed Allison in GMC should be a good trany. Like to have one in my Dodge.

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by DTullis

They were 13K axles; however, engines were less powerful in those days and the ratios were 5. xx and 7. xx. Couldn't have been very many in any event.

Quite the contrary. Two speed axles were used very commonly in trucks right up into the 80's and even later in some. There were millions of them produced but they mainly served the purpose of dropping the ratios so the underpowered trucks could get around better. You're right, most of them have very low ratios.



-Scott

 

[Russknh]

I have run both a gear venders and the us gear in a 96 with the big horsepower plate and I can tell you they are both really nice. I first started with a gear venders but after 3 failures and one of them with less than 600 miles I finally found someone that would give me the straight poop on the gear venders. I will pass that along now so no one else will have to go thru this. If you are ever going to run an exhaust brake DO NOT RUN THE GV. The decel clutch will not handle the braking torque provided by the engine, the plus side to the US Gear is that you can split both 2 or 4 wheel drive but it has a little gear whine to it being all nice strong gears and a little more clunk on shifting. The plus side on the GV is easier install and smoother shifting but the above mentioned problem. I can tell you anyone with just a little ability could install either one--thanks Russ

 

[C Schomer]

I've had Fuller Roadrangers and they were just single OD but granny was way down there. The nice thing is - that would allow a really high geared diff. and still have good crawling gears (for us 2WDs) while keeping the driveline speed down in OD. Roadrangers are a breeze to shift without the clutch and you only have to use as many gears as you need. I think a 10 sp weighs close to 900 lbs. Craig

 

[cumminspwr01]

I dont know about going from 4:10s to 3:73s but like Chipstein said 4:10s to 3:54s or 3:27s would be real nice. An older mechanic friend of mine told me one time about an older car which I believe was a mopar brand had a two speed rear in it but I think it was from the 50s or 60s but if they could put one in those old cars surely they could build one in a newer truck.

 

[bombero]

I had a 49 ford stationwagon (woody) that had a "overdrive" you pulled a cable under the dash and picked up a higher dear. The gear was in the tail shaft of the transmission. Ford had them in the late forties up to the late 50ies. i cant remember about DC or GM

 

[jrobinson2]

I had a 49 ford stationwagon (woody) that had a "overdrive" you pulled a cable under the dash and picked up a higher dear. The gear was in the tail shaft of the transmission. Ford had them in the late forties up to the late 50ies. i cant remember about DC or GM

Plymouth also had overdrives in the '50s, the one I messed with was electric.

Jared