Does anyone have feedback about Gear Vendors overdrive unit? I'm considering one but like to hear from others.

 

Gearvendors, if you can get one cheap then I'd run it. If you are looking at buying a new one with the cost being over $3,000 then personally I would go the route of putting in an OD transmission.

I have about $700 into my ZF5 swap and I'm very happy with it.

 

Their not cheap and u would have to run it a long time just to recoup ur money back before starting to make a profit. I would like to get one also but the price is holding me back.

 

I've also considered the ZF5 swap but recently was recommended to look at the NV4500 swap...oddfordjunkie, what made you go the ZF5 swap route?

 

The ZF5 has a better gear spread, no goofy adapter, it uses all Ford parts and I found a 2wd ZF5 with a large tailshaft mounted E-brake for a good deal.

I routinely pull and sell full ZF swaps.

I know a guy that I can get Gearvendors from for $900 used and may get one in the future to put behind the ZF5 but that's a lot of money for a small luxury.

If you want to go with an automatic then depending what motor you have there are multiple choices.

 

Did you notice an improvement in fuel economy with the OD?

 

Yes, 4mpg on average.

It may be more for other people but I had already done a lot to improve MPG, ignition system with plugs gapped at 0.090, tire size, tuning, gear ratios etc etc etc.

I also went from a C6 with factory non-locking torque converter to the ZF5.

 

Wow great improvement - i expected to hear 1-2 max. (thinking 4-speed to 5-speed)

What were you getting with the c6 setup? 7-8?

 

beautiful truck wyocowboys - i wish mine had a cargo light.

did you restore it?

 

I was averaging 11mpg with the C6

Best tank to date was 18mpg but I average 15

Like I said I've done a lot of other MPG mods and I usually drive like an old woman with a very light foot.

 

Wow. I am impressed. Tire size and engine size? 4wd?

 

460 with a Jacobs Pro-Street box, Jacobs Ultra Coil, plugs gapped at 0.090, Edelbrock 600cfm with about 20 hours of tuning, ported edelbrock intake, and a duel catalyst device, 14" K&N air cleaner, ZF5, 3.73 axle ratio, 315-75-16 Kuhmo Road Venture tires. That tank was 100% freeway using a very light right foot letting it float between 55-60.

I have been taking it as a personal challenge to get 20 mpg out of a 460, even if only for a single tank.

My future efforts are to build more low end torque into the motor with D0VE heads, cam, higher compression, add the Tri-Y headers I have waiting for it and go to 3.54 axle ratio.

 

My searching skills suck do
you have a link?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...+locks+crewcab

Do you see the blue line with User CP, Albums, FAQ? See the search on that line?
It has a drop down search menu arrow, go to the "Advanced Search" option, type in there say "blab la bla" and then go to the lower right column and high light 73-79 -forum. Select it and then you will have a detailed search just in the 73-79 forums.

You are welcome.

I typed this in the Advanced Search window. (73-79 forum about fitting 1995 crewcab power windows and locks in a 75 crewcab) gave me 2 threads in 5 sec. The one link I posted above was the second one. BAM

 

I was in the same boat. I watched for over a year, then saw them going up. I found a decent '78 long bed 4x4 crew in Oregon (extended frame) I think by being on Ebay the price goes up by $1K - $3K then going private. Mine was on Ebay but was able to buy it outside of Ebay for probably less than it would have gone for if the auction would have gone through. I was specifically looking for a '78-'79 4x4 Crew long bed with A/C, decent paint, body, etc. That's what I got. Mine was "restored" in the early 2000's. Now 10+ years later it's got a 10'-20' paint job. I saw a few '73-'77's that were short beds, non A/C and worse body go for a couple $K less. So I'm ok with what I paid.

Like I told the wife. Let me take a years worth of the $500+ truck payments and put that into my truck over the next few years (paint + cummins swap) and I'll still have less into it than a new one, and the value won't drop as badly.

Ryan