Anyone here running the Gear Venders under/overdrive on their trucks or RVs? If so hows it working out for you?

 

I am and I really like it out on the interstate it's great. It's a 500 rpm drop which doesn't really sound like a lot but trust me you'll see a huge difference with that. I went from running around 63mph @ 2000 rpms in 6th gear to running 75mph in 6th/over @ 2000 rpms which is great because typically I drive 75mph on the interstate and that's where most of the economy benefit kicks in for me.

Back before I had the GV I couldn't get my truck much faster than 90mph. It was up around 3000 rpms then and it could probably take a little more but I don't like going that high. Now I can peg the truck out @ 108 mph against the speed limiter and still not even crack 3000 rpms.

I'm guessing I picked up about 2 mpg running 75mph on the big road but I don't really know as I have never known the right formula to hand calc mileage with my oversized tires. Recently though I discovered that formula!! and did my first hand calc this weekend which came out to 18.74 mpg. That's on a daily driver truck with only 9000 miles and no towing so it's nowhere near broken in. I wasn't driving for maximum economy but I wasnt exactly racing around everywhere, I guess you could say it was just my normal driving. I'm sure over time it will get even better.

Truthfully though my favorite mod, even though GV is a fun toy to play with, are my manual hubs and the mpg gain from those will be more noticeable than GV especially if you do mostly city/rural driving. I see you have the 48RE with 3.73's. I've always wondered what GV would do for a setup like yours. The gearing on my rig is practically the same as the 4:10 equipped 48RE trucks. What you'd have is a really long legged tall geared truck on your hands if you slapped a GV on there!!

As far as how it works I can split almost every gear. It's sort of like an old 2 speed rear end on those old 2 ton farm trucks. I can't split reverse, low, or 2nd because it only works when you're going faster than 20 mph (or 25 I'm not certian I never split down low like that). I can split 3, 4, 5, and 6th effectively giving me 10 forward gears but froma practical standpoint I just row thru the gears normal then flip into 6th/over when I get to 65 mph. On your setup it should be an 8 speed but I'm not certain on that.

 

Wondering if you acn post pictures of your setup? I am currently running a cummins exhaust brake mounted on the shifter, and wondering if it will interfere with the GV setup?

Thanks,

Also, where did you purchase the kit from? and how much $$ did ya spend?

 

You can call and purchase it direct from Gear Vendors. I had it installed at a place called Camping World in Nashville on GV recommendation. They're a huge RV accessories store with locations all over the US and do GV installs all the time. For just shade under $3000 you could have it shipped to your house. You'll have to get a local machine shop to shorten and re-balance your driveshaft so there is a little extra cost. It looks like an easy install that could be done in a day. I wish I had done it myself cause I could have saved a ton$$$. On a DIY you could probably do it for $3200 or maybe a little less. I ended up paying about $3800 with tax and everything.

Top photo shows the unit it just bolts onto the back of the transfer case. There is a piece of the factory TC housing that has to be unbolted off and the GV slaps right onto it's place and of course the driveshaft must be cut. Bottom photo shows the button on my gear shifter. It also shows the GV accesory box mounted below my cigarette lighter it's an on/off switch for the unti and a green led light that comes on when it's in OD. The accessory plugged into my cig lighter is not related to the GV that's something else. You could probably have an engine brake button and a gear vendors button both on there with no problems. Or you could move the exhaust brake button somewhere else. Also I have seen in Genos gear shift ***** with the EB button recessed in top of the ****. One thing with exhaust brakes you cannot use the exhaust brake when the GV is in overdrive you'll have to wire it up so it disables the exhaust brake whenever it's in OD. Also it can't be used in 4WD I have mine wired up so it will not shift into OD when the TC is in 4X4

 

That over/under drive my friend, is a beautiful thing...........lol. Very nice. I wish I could pry my checkbook open for that. Not quite there yet. Killer addition to the truck though. Good luck with that.

 

Thanks bud! I drive a big truck for a living and the extra gear splitting on my lil truck makes it seem like a big truck and that's just the way I like it. I always tell myself it's good to save wear and tear, good for mpg's, I'm keeping the truck for 1 million miles etc, etc but ultimately I got it cause it's kinda fun splittin gears lol. I know it's an incredible amount of money to spend, it's insane really, but I'm just like any of the rest of ya's I like to mess with my truck and put crap on it that I don't really need anyways LOL

 

Thanks for the replys guys... looks like a better investment then the $5000.00 or more,plus installation for a built tranny which would give me the same results I have now, same fuel mileage and not enough gearing for heavy hauls!!. I like the idea of prolonging tranny and engine life. I believe the stock tranny with the addition of the GV set up would be the way to go. Evenat $3000.00 installed for a TC and VB upgrade I'd be farther ahead!! Gonna check with the larger RV dealers around my part of the world and see if they're available!! I have the funds was gonna get a built tranny, but me mind is made up going for the GV!! [8D]

 

Hey Splat give GV a call sometime. I can't remember the name of the guy I talked to but he was real nice and answered all my questions. Like I said I'm not familiar at all with how these things work on the autos but I'm sure it makes for a much better rig. Also, I'm pretty certain they can hook you up with somebody around where you live to install the unit when you get ready. http://www.gearvendors.com/trucks-towing.html Look to see if Camping World has a loaction near you. http://www.campingworld.com/stores/ If they do that's probably where the GV people are gonna point you to. One more thing. Be sure to get the proper oil for the unit and have it on hand because GV does not supply it and Camping World or whoever won't have it either. It's some kind of specialty oil you can get a GM or Mopar kind but I checked with my Amsoil guy and got the amsoil equivalent which is "Amsoil MTG". It holds 1.5 quarts and must be changed every 5,000 miles as it is not filtered. Good luck man and keep us all posted on how it goes!

 

I am running a Gear Venders under/overdrive. It is a great addition to my truck. Fortunately it was on the truck when I bought it a little over a year ago. I even use it in top gear, when towing a 4,000-5,000 trailer on flat ground. I use the gear splitting feature when towing heavier trailers, especially in the mountians. My unit is the one that installes in the center Drive Line support. My truck turns 1,500 RPM @ 70 MPH. Right on the Max Torque point for my truck. If you can afford the price, I would go for it.

 

Splat, I have had my gv for about a year now, and 20,000 miles. It is a good product to have if you are towing a lot or running a lot of empty miles. However, I think you should beef the trans up first. you are going to have to do it sooner or later anyway. Look at the trans combo that Ralph78 has, If you are like everyone else here we can't stop adding power, and you must be close to your trans limit now.