US Gear Dual Range Aux Trans

[Utah Willie]

After 80K+ miles of abuse, my U. S. Gear dual-range auxiliary transmission finally broke... well not really broke, just that it wouldn't down-shift, leaving me in O/D. I finally got it into straight drive and left it there. I called the company in Illinois and they gave me instructions on how to check things out as they thought it was the motor that winds the spring that... well, you get the idea. It sounded like more than I wanted to do in the triple digit heat of Havasu :--) and got a dealer in Phoenix (Chuck's Speed and RV Center) to do the work. It was the motor and all is well now and the guts showed no signs of my abuse... these things are as close to "bulletproof" as are made. I inquired about the Gear Vendors compared to the US Gear unit and was told that the Gv unit can be shifted directly up or down without "blipping" the throttle (on ATs only) but besides not being compatible with use in 4WD, are to be disabled on the downhill. US Gear does shift hard enough to remove doubt that it is gear :-laf but can be used on the downhill with an E-brake with no sweat. I know as I have been using mine that way for years. It does require clutching or a throttle blip to shift. Each usually results in a manly thud as it shifts.

 

[SHobbs]

Ok your the go to guy here. I have been looking into a dual range unit and am wondering if it helps with the long gaps between the stock gears. The dang 5 spd is just too long winded between 3rd and 4th. How is the pulling with the US gears as far as being able to split the gears, does it really help? My 5er is around 13k and I would like to make it easier to pull it, I hate having to down shift to 4th and run at 60 mph at around 2400 rpm's. I don't have to down shift often but I would like to drop some rpm's off the engine. Does your unit help do this and if it does how much does it drop the rpm's. Any info is appreciated.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I hate having to down shift to 4th and run at 60 mph at around 2400 rpm's. .

You are going to have to spend an awful lot of money just to avoid a little bit of 2400 RPM running. Unless you are pulling full time, I don't think the expense can be justified.



Now if comfort and piece of mind are the only qualifying factor, get one of the two speed auxiliary boxes. I do sorely wish that I had one so that I could get double overdrive and better mpg on the flat & level at sane speeds.



But after computing that it would be almost 200,000 miles before I reached break even (and that is doubtful), I just can't justify the cost.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Remember , the US Gear overdrive gives you 10 speeds. How many you need? What gap?



. . Preston. .

 

[jimk]

us gear dual range aux

I have a gear vendor that I bought to split the gears on a automatic and I have thought a 6 speed may suit my needs better, does the US Gear unit have a different overdrive ratio than gear vendor? thanks Jim

 

[Turbo Thom]

That, I don't know.



,Sorry. .



. . Preston. .

 

[John - K5AWO]

I have a gear vendor that I bought to split the gears on a automatic and I have thought a 6 speed may suit my needs better, does the US Gear unit have a different overdrive ratio than gear vendor? thanks Jim

I believe that Gear Vendors is 27%



And I think I read a couple days ago that US Gear offers 20% and 30%, but they have more options so other ratios might be available.

 

[Utah Willie]

Hobbs, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I've been away playing. I feel the money will be well spent if you are hauling a 13K fiver as do I on occasion. You definitely can split gears and the gap 'tween 3 and 4 is eliminated. Also, I can tow easily on the flat with some slight grades in 4 O/D instead of fifth, which, as we know... . is weak. The advantages are too numerous to mention here but keep in mind, every plus the 2 speed has going up hill... it also has on the descent. BTW... I have 3. 54 (?) dif ratios and got an O/D unit. Talking with the folks that seem to know think the O/D is much better for our use than the under-drive. Also... . at 2000 RPM in fifth over..... 100 MPH!

 

[Turbo Thom]

Come on Willie... ... At 2000 the speedo is 100 mph? With the five speed and a 3:54 rear gear the speed at 2000 is 80 in fifth over. You right on the down side of a hill, but I installed the de-celerator e-brake when I install the overdrive and that took care on the back side on the hills. I like the brake as well as the aux transmission.



2000 rpm at 100 mph? You ain't runnin a 3:54 rear . I've had mine for 5 years and I never saw that kinda speed. I've been over 125 but not at 2000.



. . Preston. .

 

[SHobbs]

Thanks for the info Willie. Thats what I was wanting to know. That gap between 3rd and 4th is a killer, unless you are on flat level ground. Guess I'll start working on filling my piggy bank or sweet talk Santa. Thanks again Willie

 

[Utah Willie]

US Gear Aux Trans

Turbo... You're correct... 100 MPH @ 2500 it is. I have to learn to proof read better. I must have been suffering from a bad case of HUA (Head Up A**)

 

[Turbo Thom]

Really? Just for a for a sec though. We'll get through it.



. . Preston. .