Gear Vendors

[kevinr1970]

I found a guy parting/selling a '87 or '88 3/4 ton Suburban.
He said it has a T400 with a Gear Vendors gear splitter. What is this?
I have heard of a GV overdrive and underdrive and have never been certain if they were two separate units or one in the same? If they are the same is a "gear splitter" just another way of describing the same thing or is it something completely different???

If someone could describe how these work in a very low level I would appreciate it. I mean, do you have a lever or push a button to make it function or is it just like putting a truck with a 700r4 in OD?

I am getting close to moving my '87 crew into the que and was planning on replacing the T400 with a 700r4 but if this would give me OD and the strength of a T400 I would prefer that.

[bigblock73]

It is the same thing. I don't have one, but their website should explain how it works. They are spendy units though.

[Pyrotechnic]

If you can score it for cheap, DO IT !!!! It is the ultimate overdrive, but unfortunately, Gear Vendors charges around $2,600 for one.

It's all electronic, it's like a mini automatic transmission.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I agree. They are great units will even help with gas mileage as well. On a 4wd with a TH400 and 3:73 rear end gears, when activated it drops the ratio to equal 2:91 rear end gears.

[jchav62]

Go for it! What's he asking for it? I have a GV unit in my '62. It's great. I have a th350, the GV and 3.73's. It cruises 75 at about 2300-2500 rpms, and you get the firm shifting of a th350 plus overdrive. You can split every gear, that's why its called over/underdrive. If your in 2nd and you kick on the unit, it's like 2nd over OR 3rd under. That's how they explain on their site.

http://www.gearvendors.com/

Check it outVery pricey new. I scored mine for $500. I highly recommend it.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by jchav62

Go for it! What's he asking for it? I have a GV unit in my '62. It's great. I have a th350, the GV and 3.73's. It cruises 75 at about 2300-2500 rpms, and you get the firm shifting of a th350 plus overdrive. You can split every gear, that's why its called over/underdrive. If your in 2nd and you kick on the unit, it's like 2nd over OR 3rd under. That's how they explain on their site.

http://www.gearvendors.com/

Check it outVery pricey new. I scored mine for $500. I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the link. Maybe I should have started there?

I still don't understand some things though.
Tell me if I am understanding this right; if you have it in "auto" mode, it goes through 1st gear in the tranny then the GV unit goes into 1st-OD then the tranny shifts to 2nd, then the GV goes into 2nd-OD then the tranny shifts into 3rd then the GV goes into 3rd-OD? So essentially you have a 6-speed automatic?
Can I assume this is controlled by user input - if you aren't sticking your foot in it it will function normally? It is like the GV is turned off?
-or-
Am I way off? It only does things in 1st and 2nd if you have it in "manual" mode and you tell it to shift in that manner? It only acts like a fouth gear like a 700r4?


It is in a 'burb with a diesel with a broken crank. He want's to sell it complete and says it is a rebuilt T400 with the GV installed at the time of rebuild. Claims it is real nice otherwise but it isn't the color combo I am looking for (brown/tan with tan interior).
He is asking $1200.

[jchav62]

In auto mode the tranny will shift 1st-3rd like normal, and the GV will kick in (like 4th) at around 45 mph. In manual mode, you can split every gear, using a floor switch.

[Pyrotechnic]

For $1200, that's a steal if everything works. You could probably sell the rest and make most of the cost back.

[manimal]

When I get them, I am able to get 800-1500 each so 1200 is a good deal. If you have the cash,jump on it. It is a hell of alot stronger than a 700r4. Great find.
-Lance

[gchemist]

If I found one priced low, I would jump on it like I did with the ZZ4.

[wedgemon]

Just helped pull one out of a 90 F250 fwith a friend. $108 with the tailhousing at PickNPull 1/2 price sale this morning. GV current price $2895.00!!

Can you say S C O R E !!!!

- Dave

[Pyrotechnic]

I really need to score one of them for cheap. It's tough for me to let go of the brute strength, simplicity, and cheap cost of the Turbo 350.

I just hate how GV charges so much for these. Yes, it's a quality unit and I've never heard a bad thing about them. When you consider how strong they are and the fact that while your transmission may go through several rebuilds, you will be still using the same GV unit, the $2000 price tag from years ago was reasonable.

But $2600-$2800 ? That's just insane. I could have a really strong 4L80E and computer for that much.

Does anyone know of a GV dealer that might be able to get better pricing on one of these ?

[wedgemon]

The trick when "Yarding" is to look inside for the GearVendors" electronic control box. Then you know to look underneath.

- Dave