Where do I find used Gear Vendor over/under?

[Mrturner1]

Ok so I know eBay has them sometimes, but I've heard from more than one old timer that Gear Vendor over/under drives can be found on motor homes. What I'm hoping somebody will know, is if there are certain year/make/model motor homes these came on? OR, were these guys I talked to who mentioned it referring to just any old motor home that somebody has installed a gear vendor on, which would make my search much harder and probably more expensive.

This isn't a hurry up and get it done type of thing, it's more of a side project that I'm tinkering with while I have the truck up on jackstands doing the brakes/suspension work. Any leads are appreciated or comments/ideas about doing a project like this, always welcome.

The truck is a 1970 C10 LWB, 355/th400 with 3.73 mini spool, one peice driveshaft, 2wheel drive hot rod/fun truck that will be SO awesome with a gear vendor!

[Grumpy old man]

Have you considered a 4L80e may be cheaper in th e long run .

[dazza]

A few years back I was really into the idea and actively searching for the correct one (although mine would need to go behind my sm465) and I called a guy I saw selling them (I think it was on Craigslist). He was out of Sacramento or close to it, very knowledgeable and honest, because with my lack of knowledge in regards to the ratios he could have sold me one pretty easily. But instead he shot my idea down! ;-0 He said I would hardly notice a difference due to the fact I'm running 3.07's.

I'll check my notes and see if I have a phone number but keep an eye on CL for someone that has more than one for sale, at the time he had like 4 or 5 listed.

[HUSTLESTUFF]

There's a few by me and close to you, one for a 400. I can look for you Wednesday if you contact him. Not mine

http://chico.craigslist.org/pts/5562400650.html

[haysonj]

You can use any one you find and then buy the right adapter for your transmission from Gear Vendors. I don't think they came stock on any vehicles. You would gain something on any vehicle because they add 22 % to the final gear ratio but also can be shifted manually to add 22% to your other gears. They put them on the Calloway Corvette and I think it had 273 gears.

[dazza]

Originally Posted by haysonj

You can use any one you find and then buy the right adapter for your transmission from Gear Vendors. I don't think they came stock on any vehicles. You would gain something on any vehicle because they add 22 % to the final gear ratio but also can be shifted manually to add 22% to your other gears. They put them on the Calloway Corvette and I think it had 273 gears.

what what what?? even on a sm465/np205/3.07 rig?

[cleszkie]

I have mine on my SM465/NP205/4.10 equipped Blazer with 35" tires. Makes driving the Blazer soooo nice on the freeway. An overdrive will not benefit really low gears because it will bring the rpms down too low to be in the engines power band while cruising, and the engine will bog down under load.

[dazza]

Now that you say that, I vaguely recall that is what the guy I spoke with was telling me. Basically he said not worth it.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Have you considered a 4L80e may be cheaper in th e long run .

I did give that some thought, but it will be cheaper to go with a gear vendor especially if I find a used one. They look to be around 1500$ used give or take, and I haven't priced adapters yet.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by dazza

Now that you say that, I vaguely recall that is what the guy I spoke with was telling me. Basically he said not worth it.

Depends what you use your truck for really. Also keep in mind it's not JUST rear end gear ratio that dictates whether an overdrive can be useful. Tire size has a dramatic affect on this, and average cruising speed. My truck has 3.73's and a 265/60/15 in the back so at 60mph my tach says 3000 rpm, which is terrible for fuel mileage (not my biggest concern it's a go fast truck), not great for the motor if maintained for a long period of time, and in my case seriously loud with long tubes and flowmasters dumped at the axle. I'd like to be able to do 70mph comfortably so I can start going to shows and events without having the motor spun up to 3k for an hour or two.

Check your rpm at cruise speeds next time you're out driving. Just because you won't be in the engines power band while driving on the freeway or anytime your in overdrive for that matter, doesn't mean you won't like it. Heck who wants to be in the power while cruising anyway? If you need power downshift lol

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by dazza

what what what?? even on a sm465/np205/3.07 rig?

Yes it mounts to the output of the 205 mine is on a 208

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by haysonj

Yes it mounts to the output of the 205 mine is on a 208

How does that end up working for the front axle then? Only overdrive for the rear axle? That would be a little dangerous for the forgetful folks like me. And that must also mean a pretty short rear shaft on a sb.

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by BrianG

How does that end up working for the front axle then? Only overdrive for the rear axle? That would be a little dangerous for the forgetful folks like me. And that must also mean a pretty short rear shaft on a sb.

It has a lock out when you shift in to 4 wheel and will not engage the overdrive. Its all in the electronics.On mine because I have a 4 in lift in a short fleet I ended up with a cv joint on my driveshaft

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by haysonj

It has a lock out when you shift in to 4 wheel and will not engage the overdrive. Its all in the electronics.On mine because I have a 4 in lift in a short fleet I ended up with a cv joint on my driveshaft

sounds like a really cool setup!

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

Ok so I know eBay has them sometimes, but I've heard from more than one old timer that Gear Vendor over/under drives can be found on motor homes. What I'm hoping somebody will know, is if there are certain year/make/model motor homes these came on? OR, were these guys I talked to who mentioned it referring to just any old motor home that somebody has installed a gear vendor on, which would make my search much harder and probably more expensive.

This isn't a hurry up and get it done type of thing, it's more of a side project that I'm tinkering with while I have the truck up on jackstands doing the brakes/suspension work. Any leads are appreciated or comments/ideas about doing a project like this, always welcome.

The truck is a 1970 C10 LWB, 355/th400 with 3.73 mini spool, one peice driveshaft, 2wheel drive hot rod/fun truck that will be SO awesome with a gear vendor!

Too bad this not closer to you. Fastenal might get it there.
https://saginaw.craigslist.org/pts/5561585095.html

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Too bad this not closer to you. Fastenal might get it there.
https://saginaw.craigslist.org/pts/5561585095.html

That would be perfect! This is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for

[special-K]

Originally Posted by BrianG

How does that end up working for the front axle then? Only overdrive for the rear axle?

That application is made so that can't happen. If you need to be in 4wd you don't need to be in overdrive. It's true these didn't come in anything from factory, they were an individual upfit. You would have to find a really good deal on a 4L80E and stand-alone ECM to be cheaper. And while they are toughass auto overdrives, one day they all need a rebuild (or maybe computer issues) and that ain't cheap. The two VSSs cost you a couple hundred, IIRC. Finally, you can't beat all gear direct engage.

[The Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by special-K

That application is made so that can't happen. If you need to be in 4wd you don't need to be in overdrive. It's true these didn't come in anything from factory, they were an individual upfit. You would have to find a really good deal on a 4L80E and stand-alone ECM to be cheaper. And while they are toughass auto overdrives, one day they all need a rebuild (or maybe computer issues) and that ain't cheap. The two VSSs cost you a couple hundred, IIRC. Finally, you can't beat all gear direct engage.

Holy Crap where did you see two VSS's for a couple hundred? I just bought two of them from GM for $55.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by special-K

That application is made so that can't happen. If you need to be in 4wd you don't need to be in overdrive. It's true these didn't come in anything from factory, they were an individual upfit. You would have to find a really good deal on a 4L80E and stand-alone ECM to be cheaper. And while they are toughass auto overdrives, one day they all need a rebuild (or maybe computer issues) and that ain't cheap. The two VSSs cost you a couple hundred, IIRC. Finally, you can't beat all gear direct engage.

What's a VSS?

[aruss99]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

What's a VSS?

Vehicle speed sensor

[cleszkie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

How does that end up working for the front axle then? Only overdrive for the rear axle? That would be a little dangerous for the forgetful folks like me. And that must also mean a pretty short rear shaft on a sb.

I have a Gear vendors OD on the back of an NP205 in my Blazer, which is even shorter than a short bed truck. Used a 300 series slip yoke/CV joint combo out of a Caddy El Dorado at the OD to shorten the CV joint as much as possible. Works great even with the moderate lift I have. Never a vibration.

Having low gears can make an OD unnecessary on the highway while cruising. But you are stuck with the low gears for all situations. The low gears will kill low end torque and make for slow take-offs and un-spirited performance in general. An OD allows you to have a high gear for performance, and then a lower effective ratio for cruising.

[Mrturner1]

You guys that do these with all new parts, how much is it costing you after its all said and done?

[Doug's68SS]

I found mine at a swap meet, it came out of a 454 SS truck.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Doug's68SS

I found mine at a swap meet, it came out of a 454 SS truck.

I've seen these pictures of your truck before, that setup with the long adapter just looks bulletproof I think someone asked you before, but what was the reasoning behind the extra long adapter? Clearance or fitment issues? Just came that way?

[Mrturner1]

I've done some reading on the amount of horsepower and torque soaked up by the th350 and th400 transmissions, but I couldn't find anything about the Gear Vendor and if/how much additional power they soak up. Seems like the loss in the transmissions is due to rotating mass, but a gear vendor is relatively small correct? Depending on the adapter?

I've seen the inside of a gear vendor and it's a lot like a transmission, but what's inside the adapter? Just a driveshaft inside the adapter housing?

Thanks guys for all the replies