Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) US gear no longer sells overdrive units!!!!!!

[blaster_works]

I just got off the phone with us gear regarding an overdrive for my dodge truck and they informed me that theydropped that business. !!!

i have been running one for years and wanted to tqalk to them about rebuilding my old unit... . guess not... #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!



this bites

 

[Hammer]

If your a fan of the big OD units then why not go to a GearVendor's unit?.



They are still available and used by many diesel owners... ..... Andy

 

[blaster_works]

i have been very happy with my overdrive unit. i just wanted to freshen it up it been running pretty warm ,hot. The cost used to be around 1300 for a factory rebuild. not looking to spend another 2500 just to have the company stop selling/supporting them.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You might check around for outfits the still have parts, and still will service them - I bought one thru one of the major RV supply retailers, there must be others still around who service them and still have parts...

 

[blaster_works]

when i talkeed with us gear several years ago they indicated that you couldnt by parts for them but that they would be glad to rebuild it for me... ... so as far as parts go i am not holding my breath.

now as far as units that were built but not installed maybe... ... ... .

 

[CBlack]

I've been reading up on OD units. How exactly does it work. From pictures I've seen it fastens to the rear of the transmission, and when in drive and at highway speeds it just gives you and extra gear or two?

 

[blaster_works]

On a 4wd truck the overdrive unit fits between the transmission and the transfer case. to install it the transfercase moves toward the rear of the truck and you need to get new drivelines.

operationally the overdrive unit is operated by a switch in the cab. in a manual truck you pull the switch which loads the transmission then push in the clutch and the overdrive shifts when the load is released. this style overdrive works on all 4 wheels with its location...

it brings down my operating rpm at freeway speeds. for the most part i always leave it on... ... it also alows me higher top speeds . if i remeber correctly it like 20% over. unloaded i wwill run in 5th plus the overdrive unit.

 

[hsmith]

The Gear Vendors unit works really smooth, BUT, will not engage o/d below 20 mph as it has it's own hyd pump. Also, it must not be used to down shift at all.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

when i talkeed with us gear several years ago they indicated that you couldnt by parts for them but that they would be glad to rebuild it for me... ... so as far as parts go i am not holding my breath.

now as far as units that were built but not installed maybe... ... ... .

YUP - might be a few "orphans" out there the holder would be glad to find a new owner/home for... :-laf

 

[blaster_works]

i am currently working with us gear to try and find a copy of there old internal rebuild manual

 

[Pavemen]

The Gear Vendors unit works really smooth, BUT, will not engage o/d below 20 mph as it has it's own hyd pump. Also, it must not be used to down shift at all.

not good in reverse either.

If your a fan of the big OD units then why not go to a GearVendor's unit?.



They are still available and used by many diesel owners... ..... Andy

and downgrade to an inferior unit? too bad that may be the only option these days...



I love my US Gear unit. Hopefully it lasts forever

 

[KOG]

Four, five and six speed transmissions have killed the market for add on overdrives. And the add ons have always been about a half a gear instead of a full gear change anyway.

 

[blaster_works]

the us gear overdrive is a 20%overdrive. just right... ...

 

[hsmith]

Yey, but who needs reverse o/d????

 

[Pavemen]

Yey, but who needs reverse o/d????

well, if your unit is underdrive like mine, its great to have... .

 

[Pavemen]

Four, five and six speed transmissions have killed the market for add on overdrives. And the add ons have always been about a half a gear instead of a full gear change anyway.

buts its not always about just having an overdrive. a gear splitter almost doubles the number of speeds your transmission has (I say almost because 4th over is real close to 5th many times).



a splitter lets you avoid having to over rev 1st and bogging down in 2nd with a heavy load getting started from a stop on an incline. with a 6 speed, you still have a wide gap in gearing but a splitter can close that gap some (or a lot)



guys with automatics and/or considering overdrives only, don't consider this functionality.

 

[hsmith]

I now remember they came either under or over units. The under unit would be very useful especially backing a heavy trailer into a close space.