Gears or Overdrive unit
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From: Irmo, SC
Gears or Overdrive unit
I have been getting worse and worse mileage in my dually. I have looked at the graphs Eugene has put up, and I figure I must have 4.30 gears. Looked for axle tags not there looked in door at sticker doesnt help. I am turning 2000 rpm doing 60 mph. This really stinks!!! So I am trying to figure out if I should get a Gearvendors od unit, US gear unit, or just change gears. I am trying to think about towing with my combined weight of 21k lbs. Just looking for some ideas of what you guys would think.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Combined of 21,000 pounds? If you're in Florida and not dealing with lots of hills changing the rear end would be the cheapest. I've got 3.73 in my 350 srw and turn 2000 at 70 mph. I can tow 12,000 pounds with no issues unless I hit a steep grade, but if I didn't have so many miles on my truck and planned on keeping it for several more years I'd stick in a GV unit.
still plays with trucks
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
the GV unit is a good unit. I had one in my 97 psd. Our GCWR was 24,600 lbs. It work flawlessly. I loved the extra gears that an OD unit offers. low gears for pulling and running gears when empty. and the ability to "split" gears and keep the engine in the sweet spot. When I replaced the old one ton with the F550 I called GearVendor to order a new unit and was told by the GV tech that he would prefer that I didn't put one of their units in my truck. our new CGWR is 25,880 lbs. He said it was his opinion that the trucks were outgrowing the GearVendor. that being said, I have had a US Gear unit on order since mid June. the factory is behind in production and they say they will be availible in mid August. the US Gear is a more complicated install if you have a 4x4 but definately a stonger unit.
I'll let everyone know how I like it when it gets here.
I'll let everyone know how I like it when it gets here.
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From: Irmo, SC
Thanks for the replies. I tow all over just got back to the flat state from a trip to Cali.
Bfife how loud is the GV unit, and do you think the US Gear unit will be as loud or queiter? I do have a 4x4 but am not sure if I could do the install or not.
Bfife how loud is the GV unit, and do you think the US Gear unit will be as loud or queiter? I do have a 4x4 but am not sure if I could do the install or not.
still plays with trucks
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
totin tools, the Gear Vendor made no noise at all. small Clunk when shifting. other than that nothin. don't know about the US Gear. i don't expect any noise.FWIW, The shop I'm working in right now is a Gear Vendor distributor and we have replaced 2 units in the last 3 months, both overheated and failed. one was in a 35 ft motorhome and the other was a 95 F450 service truck with a boom. You have to keep them serviced. very small oil sump and no way to expand it.
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From: Fulltime RVer
Originally Posted by totin_tools
I have been getting worse and worse mileage in my dually. I have looked at the graphs Eugene has put up, and I figure I must have 4.30 gears. Looked for axle tags not there looked in door at sticker doesnt help. I am turning 2000 rpm doing 60 mph. This really stinks!!! So I am trying to figure out if I should get a Gearvendors od unit, US gear unit, or just change gears. I am trying to think about towing with my combined weight of 21k lbs. Just looking for some ideas of what you guys would think.
Originally Posted by bfife
... FWIW, The shop I'm working in right now is a Gear Vendor distributor and we have replaced 2 units in the last 3 months, both overheated and failed. one was in a 35 ft motorhome and the other was a 95 F450 service truck with a boom. You have to keep them serviced. very small oil sump and no way to expand it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by bfife
totin tools, the Gear Vendor made no noise at all. small Clunk when shifting. other than that nothin. don't know about the US Gear. i don't expect any noise.FWIW, The shop I'm working in right now is a Gear Vendor distributor and we have replaced 2 units in the last 3 months, both overheated and failed. one was in a 35 ft motorhome and the other was a 95 F450 service truck with a boom. You have to keep them serviced. very small oil sump and no way to expand it.
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Pardon me.
Originally Posted by totin_tools
I have been getting worse and worse mileage in my dually. I have looked at the graphs Eugene has put up, and I figure I must have 4.30 gears. Looked for axle tags not there looked in door at sticker doesnt help. I am turning 2000 rpm doing 60 mph. This really stinks!!! So I am trying to figure out if I should get a Gearvendors od unit, US gear unit, or just change gears. I am trying to think about towing with my combined weight of 21k lbs. Just looking for some ideas of what you guys would think.
still plays with trucks
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
[QUOTE=ernesteugene]. When I looked into getting a GV years ago, they had a special commercial version with a larger sump and an oil cooler to reduce overheating for heavy duty applications
I ask the GV tech about these and he didn't recomend them because the leak
I ask the GV tech about these and he didn't recomend them because the leak
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
Originally Posted by F350-6
So will these things last if you follow the recommended maintenance interval? Isn't that like 5000 miles? What exactly happens when one of these breaks? Are you just left with your normal transmission, or is it time to call a tow truck?
the one I had on my 97 lasted for 50,000 miles of towing. changed the oil every 10,000. The GV unir is basicly a small automatic tranny with pump,discs and planetary. when the fail its usually from heat and Yes, you will call for a tow
Post Fiend
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by bfife
the one I had on my 97 lasted for 50,000 miles of towing.
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
Originally Posted by F350-6
Sorry to be stubborn, but lasted for 50,000 miles and broke, or lasted until you got rid of the truck? 50,000 miles doesn't seem like very much.
No worries, 50,000 miles and still workingwhen I traded it in. towed 15,000 lb 5thwheel form Yuma to Fairbanks and all points in between .lots of long grades, It worked great. that being said I had three Jasper MonsterBox failures in that same period. You may notice that the new truck is a 6speed!
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From: Irmo, SC
Eugene, I have a dually with 235-85-16. When turning 2000 rpm I am going right at 60 according to the gps.
Barney, If I understand correctly if the unit fails you are STUCK. So then you just need to keep up with the maintenance on the unit. What all does it entail? Just changing the fluid at recommended intervals and thats it, or is there more? Also when you would enguage the unit how far did the rpms drop, about 500 or there abouts right. I just want to be able to do around 70 without turning 2400-2500 rpms.
Big, Eugene had some graph that he did I think it was for Kris about gears and tire size with rpm and everything.
Thnaks for the input fellas.
Barney, If I understand correctly if the unit fails you are STUCK. So then you just need to keep up with the maintenance on the unit. What all does it entail? Just changing the fluid at recommended intervals and thats it, or is there more? Also when you would enguage the unit how far did the rpms drop, about 500 or there abouts right. I just want to be able to do around 70 without turning 2400-2500 rpms.
Big, Eugene had some graph that he did I think it was for Kris about gears and tire size with rpm and everything.
Thnaks for the input fellas.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by bfife
You may notice that the new truck is a 6speed!