mileage
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Illinois
mileage
i have an 83 f250 4x4 and it has 4:10 gears,
recently i rebuilt the motor, and i was wondering what all can be done to get my mpg up? i have 33 inch tires and was also thinking to get a little bigger tires so that i may be able to get my rpm down at highway speeds.
Thanks
mooney456
recently i rebuilt the motor, and i was wondering what all can be done to get my mpg up? i have 33 inch tires and was also thinking to get a little bigger tires so that i may be able to get my rpm down at highway speeds.
Thanks
mooney456
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
An expensive approach but one I'm going to do on my 89 F250 4x4 with 4:10 gears is install a Gear Vendors Overdrive. This will lower my cruising RPM giving me a quieter cruise and much better mileage. I already have the taller tires and keeping my speed down to 65 - 70 mph I'm getting 17.8 mpg. Take a look at:
http://www.gearvendors.com/ford.html
Jim Larsen
1989 F-250 Supercab, LB, 4x4, 7.3L IDI, C5 4.10 Ratio Limited Slip Rear Axle, ZF 5-Speed Manual Overdrive, GVWR: 8,800 lbs, Dual Exhaust with Dual Magnaflow Stainless Steel Mufflers, BFG All-Terrain T/A KO LT285/75R16 Tires, Eagle Alloy Series 058 16x8 Wheels.
http://www.gearvendors.com/ford.html
Jim Larsen
1989 F-250 Supercab, LB, 4x4, 7.3L IDI, C5 4.10 Ratio Limited Slip Rear Axle, ZF 5-Speed Manual Overdrive, GVWR: 8,800 lbs, Dual Exhaust with Dual Magnaflow Stainless Steel Mufflers, BFG All-Terrain T/A KO LT285/75R16 Tires, Eagle Alloy Series 058 16x8 Wheels.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
jlrsn you might also take a look at the US Gear overdrive. You can use it while in 4 wheel drive as it installs in front of the transfer case. You can also start out in overdrive if you wish. I have a buddy with the US Gear in his dodge and he loves it. I have a gearvendor in mine and it works great except you have to remember to shut the truck off and restart in order for the gearvendor to work after you've been in 4 wheel drive.
I've heard a few transmission guys say they prefer the gearvendor over the US Gear but with no real reason. The US Gear looks to me like a pretty heavy duty unit with no much to go wrong.
I've heard a few transmission guys say they prefer the gearvendor over the US Gear but with no real reason. The US Gear looks to me like a pretty heavy duty unit with no much to go wrong.
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
mistakenID,
I was familiar with the US Gear Overdrive but had not heard that you had to shut the truck off and restart in order for the Gear Vendor to work after you've been in 4 wheel drive. I understood that the OD was electronically locked out during 4X4 operation and automatically was available when you come out of 4WD as semi explained at http://www.gearvendors.com/4x4.html . I’ll definitely research both units. Thanks for the info.
I was familiar with the US Gear Overdrive but had not heard that you had to shut the truck off and restart in order for the Gear Vendor to work after you've been in 4 wheel drive. I understood that the OD was electronically locked out during 4X4 operation and automatically was available when you come out of 4WD as semi explained at http://www.gearvendors.com/4x4.html . I’ll definitely research both units. Thanks for the info.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Originally Posted by mistakenID
jlrsn you might also take a look at the US Gear overdrive. You can use it while in 4 wheel drive as it installs in front of the transfer case. You can also start out in overdrive if you wish. I have a buddy with the US Gear in his dodge and he loves it. I have a gearvendor in mine and it works great except you have to remember to shut the truck off and restart in order for the gearvendor to work after you've been in 4 wheel drive.
I've heard a few transmission guys say they prefer the gearvendor over the US Gear but with no real reason. The US Gear looks to me like a pretty heavy duty unit with no much to go wrong.
I've heard a few transmission guys say they prefer the gearvendor over the US Gear but with no real reason. The US Gear looks to me like a pretty heavy duty unit with no much to go wrong.
Price wise. you aren't getting much better going to the US gear, as you will tie up cost in reworking both drive shafts, and the fuel tank or floor pan issues. After reviewing both company's websites and descriptions, I would rather the Gear vendors unit myself, only have to rework one drive shaft, and use an adapter kit. No other fabrication is necessary. You don't need to have overdirive/underdrive typically in 4wd anyway. As for the shut off to engage, I would want to know more about it, as I don't think that is accurate. It is possible the install was not done proper, or something is not right with the setup, because I don't think they would produce something that you would have to shut down engage, just doesn't jive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
I've been around the gearvendor unit for a few years but they have been on 2 wheel drives. I know on mine, when you put the transfer case into 4 wheel drive, yes it locks out the overdrive. When you put the transfere case back into 2 wheel drive the overdrive will not shift, no light, nothing until you shut the truck off and turn it back on, then it will shift normally. Price wise my friend paid a bit less installed for the US Gear over an installed GearVendor.
I didn't think to mention that my overdrive is about 10 years old so later units may not behave the same way. The lockout is done on mine with a simple pushbutton type switch mounted on the linkage and the reset is accomplished only by cutting power. Very effective at making sure you can't use the overdrive while in 4 wheel drive. I need to remember to research some things before posting. Time sure does fly and a lot of changes can be made in not so many years.
I didn't think to mention that my overdrive is about 10 years old so later units may not behave the same way. The lockout is done on mine with a simple pushbutton type switch mounted on the linkage and the reset is accomplished only by cutting power. Very effective at making sure you can't use the overdrive while in 4 wheel drive. I need to remember to research some things before posting. Time sure does fly and a lot of changes can be made in not so many years.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
The reason for the lockout is to keep from destroying the transfer case. Might be such you could contact GV and ask them about your problem, may have a solution.
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