C6 with overdrive unit
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C6 with overdrive unit
Has any one put an overdrive unit coupled with a C6? Is it worth the time, effort, money, & is the end result significant. How much better fuel mileage?
Or is it better to install a newer 4 speed auto? Will a newer one bolt up to a 6.9?
Or is it better to install a newer 4 speed auto? Will a newer one bolt up to a 6.9?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Byron New York
I have not installed one personally. But if your looking for fuel mileage I would go with the auxillary unit. By the time you switched over to a 4 speed auto (E4OD) and got it to work right you would probably have 3,000 miles on the auxillary unit. The C6 is a much better platform and easier to work on. The E4OD stock the torque converters were weak and they are electronically control and need RPM, Throttle position, and actual speed to determine shift points. The C6 just stomp on the pedal and drive and the vacuum governor did the rest. The price of a E4OD and time and extras you could buy the aux unit and just shorten your drive shaft.
My 2 Pennies
My 2 Pennies
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
i installed a gear vendor unit to the back of my c 6 and found it helped a lot with engine speed. the truck had 410 rear diff which kept it from hi speed cruising.
a friend of mine switched the rear from 410 to 323 and did the same thing but was limited to towing capabilities.
the gear vendor unit gave me 22 percent gear changes in all forward gears. it was hard to get it to shift in first gear but would do it. the gear vendor unit was controlled by wheel speed from the speedo sensor and could be shifted automatically or manually.
my 2 cents.
a friend of mine switched the rear from 410 to 323 and did the same thing but was limited to towing capabilities.
the gear vendor unit gave me 22 percent gear changes in all forward gears. it was hard to get it to shift in first gear but would do it. the gear vendor unit was controlled by wheel speed from the speedo sensor and could be shifted automatically or manually.
my 2 cents.
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
I will be doing an E4OD conversion myself. If you pinch every penny and don't do any upgrades, it would be a lot cheaper than an auxiliary overdrive. Yes it will bolt up, but I would not recomend putting a stock E4OD in anything that you want to keep. I made many upgrades to my E4 and the cost is still not as much as an aftermarket overdrive/gear splitter, but it is getting close. If you bolt an overdrive to a C6, you will still have the converter slip to eat up some fuel economy, but there is still an improvement.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
A C6 with a Gear Vendors unit would have 6 forward gears, the E4OD would have 4.
The Gear Vendors unit will cost about the same as a salvage yard E4OD.
Also a Gear Vendors unit costs about the same as the prices I have seen posted to rebuild an E4OD.
The Gear Vendors unit will cost about the same as a salvage yard E4OD.
Also a Gear Vendors unit costs about the same as the prices I have seen posted to rebuild an E4OD.
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
There is also the wiring harness to deal with if you go with an E4. I got my trans for $500CAN and it came with a good 1356 transfercase, so if you're not in a hurry good deals can be found, but when you buy used you never really know what you get. For my part, I was interested in the lowest possible rpm on the freeway, I don't really need an extra 3 forward gears (the one extra will do).
But I have to admit if you want something quick, simple and reliable, a GV unit is probably the best way to go.
But I have to admit if you want something quick, simple and reliable, a GV unit is probably the best way to go.
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From: Monroe, WA
I installed a Gearvender on a C-6 many years ago. It was almost 3 grand if I remember right. I think you can get a good E4 for less than that. The guy wasn't all that impressed with it. He said he only dropped around 200 rpm adding in torque conveter slip. My Dad has one in a 429 powered motorhome and likes the extra gears for pulling hills, but not for mileage. It gets around 7 mpg. 
Do you tow with your truck? I like the C-6 for it's strength, I wouldn't do an E4 swap unless I drove solo most of the time. I tow with mine and the C-6 with 355 gears works pretty good.
Do you tow with your truck? I like the C-6 for it's strength, I wouldn't do an E4 swap unless I drove solo most of the time. I tow with mine and the C-6 with 355 gears works pretty good.
Last edited by Spectramac; Mar 15, 2007 at 11:37 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
Ok, I definitely have not spent that much yet. For 3 grand you could simply buy a reman E4OD with enough upgrades already installed to make it an easy match to a C6. As for the pcm, can be picked up used.
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C6
Thanks for all of the pros & cons of both units, that's exactly what I needed. I will be using the E350 for towing a small horse trailer, pulling a dual axle 16' utility trailer for wood, 100 bales of hay, 2 ATV's & 2 dirt bikes, & a tandem Jet Ski trailer. I really needed a Ford diesel & am glad I have one now!
I'm investigating the options I have for WVO. I have a stockpile of oil from 3 restaurants. Do I want to heat it or use the Diesel Secrets from one of our sponsers, is a concern.
I have a great rust free 86 6.9 with 150,000 to start with, this van has lots of potential.
Go Blue!
I'm investigating the options I have for WVO. I have a stockpile of oil from 3 restaurants. Do I want to heat it or use the Diesel Secrets from one of our sponsers, is a concern.
I have a great rust free 86 6.9 with 150,000 to start with, this van has lots of potential.
Go Blue!
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Originally Posted by davE350
I'm investigating the options I have for WVO. I have a stockpile of oil from 3 restaurants. Do I want to heat it or use the Diesel Secrets from one of our sponsers, is a concern.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum168/
I like that screen name by the way that's pretty creative
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Hi cool6.9dieselguy.
Thanks for the link & the compliment. You're on the edge yourself! Yours would get you noticed on lots of different sites.
I will check out the WVO space. I did a search on that today & turned up nothing. Just what I needed!
Thanks for the link & the compliment. You're on the edge yourself! Yours would get you noticed on lots of different sites.
I will check out the WVO space. I did a search on that today & turned up nothing. Just what I needed!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Duluth, Mn.
For a decent E4od, Your going to want a BTS unit. Around $3200+ electronics/new rear end(needed for speed sensor)/install/HiPofluid. Check out their website. http://www.brianstruckshop.com/
Personally, I'd go with a C6 and Gear Vendors. Rebuld your C6= $600 + GV and shortened drive shaft= $2600.
It'd be a pretty much bullet proof trans setup. Prolly go 300K miles without a prob.
Of course the BTS would prolly be more effecient. Less slippage, torque multiplication,ect. You'd prolly get a coupla more MPG outta it.
Now, if monies were no object, a BTS/3.55's, AND a Gear Vendors.....well NOW we're talking. Prolly get 20+ MPG @ 80 MPH
Personally, I'd go with a C6 and Gear Vendors. Rebuld your C6= $600 + GV and shortened drive shaft= $2600.
It'd be a pretty much bullet proof trans setup. Prolly go 300K miles without a prob.
Of course the BTS would prolly be more effecient. Less slippage, torque multiplication,ect. You'd prolly get a coupla more MPG outta it.
Now, if monies were no object, a BTS/3.55's, AND a Gear Vendors.....well NOW we're talking. Prolly get 20+ MPG @ 80 MPH
Last edited by fonefiddy; Mar 17, 2007 at 05:50 AM.
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From: Campbell River, B.C.
You don't have to spent that much on an E4OD, not unless you plan on putting it in a truck like what Dave Sponaugle has and also plan on racing it. As for the speedo, the 92 and older units are designed to drive a cable, so swaping the rear end would not be necicary. The C6 is a reliable transmission, but I would not call it bullet proof. They use the same aluminuim carrier forward plannetary gears as the first generation E4OD. Some actually take the gears out of an E4 and put them in a C6 to gain the wider first and second gear ratio.
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From: Byron New York
I have both a C6 against 3.55's and a E4OD against 4.10.s 7.3L pushing both. Towing C6 hands down. Driving around light towing fuel economy E4OD. Real heavy towing get away from a slush box and start shifting yourself.