Gear vendor overdrive? Worth it?

[Reno's71]

So I have 4.56 gears with 35's. If I there was such a thing as say a 4.20 gear ratio, Id be fine. I reach about 3k RPM @ 65 MPH There is one other way to fix it which would be 38's. But that is overkill, to me.
So then their is Gear vendors Overdrive. They will split the gearing to be like a 6-Speed. With somthing like a .80 overdrive. Cruising @ 70MPH will no longer be a hassle. Although, problem is the kit is about 3 thousand dollars. Its iether do the GV OD and spend less on a daily, or just have a nice daily. Im thinking get a POS daily so I can enjoy my truck some more.

What you think?

-Reno

[Yukon Jack]

If you're looking to do it to get better mpg and save money, I'd say don't bother. To save $3,000 in gas would take a long, long time. These 4x4's are bricks anyway and I doubt the gas savings would add up to much anyway.

Is this for your 71? What engine and tranny do you currently have? Assuming this is for your 71, I see it is a short bed truck. Gonna make for a fairly short rear axle driveshaft. Don't know if that will cause you any problems, but something to keep in mind.

If you are just wanting to do it so you can drive 70 mph and money isn't an issue, than that makes the decision pretty easy.

[Reno's71]

Honestly, If I wanted good MPG Id get a Civic. I have a 305 for now, and auto trans. I did think about the SWB and talked with someone on the phone from GV OD. He said that worse case senario, Id need a 2 piece setup. Admit it, driving at 55 isnt so fun. I could drive faster, just dont want to blow my motor yet. A built 350 is in store in about a year. Untill then, the 305 needs to last. I think I'll bite the bullet and just do it. A manual 6 speed swap would be more expensive...

[special-K]

Just drive 70.You`re just used to o/d.I`ve been driving these trucks for years at 3,000+ rpm and never thought a thing about it.I did wonder why late-models with louder exhaust had such a droan sound compared to my sweet note.I`ve driven a camper hauling truck with 4.10s all over the country.That thing loved 75-80 mph.
You have about 4.10 gears now with those 35s.
For years I drove a`71 K/20 with 4.57s & 37s up and down the interstate to work.

I think the Gear Vendors units are the greatest thing since sliced bread.I really want one in my 2wd shortbed w/M-22 and 3.42s.But,dayum!,they`re so expensive.it`s a rich man`s novelty.I can build a couple motors for what they cost.If the cost is no big deal,then buying alot of gas or new motors won`t be a problem,either.It all comes down to riding comfort,in my mind.Comfort is in your mind,so either yoiu can deal with (and I enjoy it) higher revs or spend a few grand to run a bit smoother and quiter,as well as go a bit farther on a tank and hope your engine lasts a bit longer.

[Reno's71]

My engine is just fine for now. I drive about 20 or so miles on the highway twice a day. 3K RPM isnt a problem. Id be rest assured If I knew it wouldnt cause further stress to my motor.
Or, what if I do build a motor that is more designed for higher RPMs.. Like some lifters, different cam, and some heads. I have the 4.56 to take care of the low end. Maybe just build a cammed motor, It will like the RPMs a little better. Yes, no? That would be about as much as the overdrive, plus its not the 305

[Yukon Jack]

I'd be a little surprised if 3k rpm is going to really damage your 305, if it is worn out then sure that isn't ideal. If I'm thinking right the gear vendor overdrive will knock your rpms down to about 2,400 to 2,500 at 65 mph, kick it up to 70 mph and you'll be not too far from 3k again.

If your 305 is tired, I'd definitely save the $3000 and put that towards a built motor, then go drive 65 and enjoy the sound :-)

I have to smile as I'm commenting on this as my 69 K20 gets to shaking a bit from the worn tires if I get over 55 mph - thinking about 70 mph in it makes me laugh, my bbc would be screaming and my tires would probably snap off.

[Reno's71]

Ok, cool. I dont mind the sound either. Espesially when I get the exhaust done..

[skchevota]

4.10s? , 700R4? just a few thoughts. i have an old moterhome with a 440 and 4.56 gears, its tires measure maby 30" . I cruz @70 no prob. But not to say that I wouldnt want overdrive. It just makes me less stressed when the engine is purring not whineing
Just remove the tack!!!!! then you wont know it is @ 3k lol...

[Eturnit3]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

I have to smile as I'm commenting on this as my 69 K20 gets to shaking a bit from the worn tires if I get over 55 mph - thinking about 70 mph in it makes me laugh, my bbc would be screaming and my tires would probably snap off.

I hear that, with my 3.73's and original 3 speed... the only way Im hitting 70 is down a giant hill with a backwind

[Reno's71]

Originally Posted by skchevota

4.10s? , 700R4? just a few thoughts. i have an old moterhome with a 440 and 4.56 gears, its tires measure maby 30" . I cruz @70 no prob. But not to say that I wouldnt want overdrive. It just makes me less stressed when the engine is purring not whineing
Just remove the tack!!!!! then you wont know it is @ 3k lol...

4.56 , th-350 Im just gonna roll with the flow..

[special-K]

To answer the original question...
Q:Is a Gear Vendors unit "worth" it?
A:No

Q: Do I want a GV unit?
A: Yes

Q: Would I pay what a GV unit costs?
A: Yes

Q: Would I be happy with a GV even knowing I spent all that money?
A: Hellya


But,what I`ve come around to with all this o/d stuff is...
I want it in my 2wds that are meant for the hiway and long distance drives.On my 4wds I like tall tires and emphasis on being better off road.The taller tires bring my gearing up,so I`m better off on the freeway than stock already.The higher vehicle already has to deal with steeper driveshaft angles and I don`t want to add to that by sticking a gV in there.There is no o/d transmission built that stands up to a manual for durability,IMO.And,I really don`t want to roll along with all the cars on the freeway in my 40 years old truck geared for power and running bigass & heavy knobby old tires anyway.Let`em roll past.I`m in a real machine that requires more than just get in and go.

[gator2511]

I'm running a G/V in my 72 shorty 4x4. I have 3:73 gears with a TH400 tranny. At 75 mph I'm turning about 2100 rpms. For tires I have 32 x 11.5 x 15. I don't think you will ever save enough on gas to pay for the unit but it does make the cab quieter at speed. (Flowmaster super 40) At some rpms the mufflers really drone in the cab and I can shift into o/d and change it. Thats no reason to buy a G/V but I like mine. Is it expensive? Yes. Would I do it again Heck Yes! Low rpms on the road and turn it of in the woods. It does save on gas but you would have to do a lot of highway driving to make it pay.

[gator2511]

Oh yeah, I'm running a single piece drive shaft out the back with no problems ever.

[Benelli]

Originally Posted by gator2511

I'm running a G/V in my 72 shorty 4x4. I have 3:73 gears with a TH400 tranny. At 75 mph I'm turning about 2100 rpms. For tires I have 32 x 11.5 x 15. I don't think you will ever save enough on gas to pay for the unit but it does make the cab quieter at speed. (Flowmaster super 40) At some rpms the mufflers really drone in the cab and I can shift into o/d and change it. Thats no reason to buy a G/V but I like mine. Is it expensive? Yes. Would I do it again Heck Yes! Low rpms on the road and turn it of in the woods. It does save on gas but you would have to do a lot of highway driving to make it pay.

How much did it cost for your TH-400?

Originally Posted by Eturnit3

I hear that, with my 3.73's and original 3 speed... the only way Im hitting 70 is down a giant hill with a backwind

I was silently thinking the same thing.....

[Skirkpat]

From what I have read they are virtually indestructable, and I have seen multiple setups for less than half what you are talking for a new one? the last one was 1300.00 at the Shriners swap meet a few months ago, It was for a Ford though ( Different splines I think?).

I want one for my 2 WD 175" wheel base one ton, but no money = No O/D right now!!

[gator2511]

I paid $995 for a built TH400 at Monster Motorsports. The Advance adapter for it was $628 plus I had to strip the transfer case and have the input bearing hole enlarged for the bigger bearing and shaft that came with the adapter. Add $2717 for the GVOD and About $4400 flies out of your checking account. But I WANTED IT AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD DO! Crazy, but I'm happy. It will run fast enough all day long to let the Florida Highway Patrol put me under the jail!

[Reno's71]

Man, I really want one. Maybe I'll go with an overdrive trans. im gonna need a trans eventually anyway. No GVOD for this guy.

[72Cheyenne454]

If you search, you can find a GV unit for a fair price. Like everyone else, I was in no position to pay $3K plus for a new GV unit for my 72 C20. After several weeks of searching on Craigs list, I found a complete GV unit for my Th400 for $1,000 bucks. I love the it. Gas mileage is not much better, but I can cruise at 80+ mph all day long and split gears for fun. An extra bonus is the reduction in cab noise (wife is much happier now). This was not the first unit I was able to find on C-List. I also found a GV to go behing my NP205 T-Case in my 86 K30. One last thing, my buddy just bought a complete, 1968 GMC runnning/driving 3/4 ton truck, one owner, 327, Th400. PS, PB, AC with a Gear Vendor Overdrive off of Craigs list for $800. Timing is everything.