West Coast FT
California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
Looking for info from Someone who has had a gear vendor overdrive system installed on a 94 thru 98 Ford F53 7.5 liter engine motorhome, preferably the E4OD transmission.
I'm looking at a couple of options. First replacing 215 85R16 tires with 235 85R16 tires. All the particulars are worked out, and because of the added safety margin for weight, I'm pretty settled on this idea as the first step to reducing highway speed RPMs.
However, for the flatlands I'm also wondering whether adding the gear vendor OD unit which increases the drive shaft revolution for the same engine input RPMs would be a fuel saver over time. (from 1 to 1 to 1 to .8.)
Specifically, I'm interested in feedback on how troubled or trouble free the unit was over the ownership time period. Does the aux. transmission truly engage and disengage with the flip of the switch?
Ever been effectively locked out by the unit? If so what fix was needed to resolve the problem? Since installation on the unit requires driveshaft shortening, returning to the stock configuration looks to be expensive as well.
Given the age of the rig some powertrain parts are becoming special order only, so I'm a bit leary of adding something only to be stuck some where waiting on parts.
I guess I not happy with running 2750 RPMs at highway speeds, backing it down to 55 MPH move us into a reasonable RPM range, albeit a little dangerous on some roads and if that's best I'll live with it.
TV 02' Chevy Silverado 3500 8.1 liter 4X4, Rancho 9000, Airlift Airbags 2 Honda EU3000,plus paralleling kit (6000 Watts peak!)
Old Rig (03' Lance 1161) Boy I missed it!
New Rig (05' Cedar Creek 37RDQS)
Second new Rig 1996 Damon Intruder 325B
|
wild bill
Mira Loma, Ca. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/25/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
I can't tell you about adding a GearVendor overdirve to your motorhome but I can comment on the two that I have owned. The units are very strong and easy to use with just the flip of a switch. Both of mine have been behind Dodge Diesels pulling heavy 5th wheel trailers with manuel transmissions. My current one is in the 05 Dodge Diesel DRW that you should see in my signature picture. The motor is not stock and the whole rig weighs over 24,000 lbs. loaded. The GearVendor allows me to split the high gears for better RPM's on grades......I only use 6th over (top gear with ovewrdrive engauged) when not towing as it gives me great mileage and keeps motor rev's down. Hope this has been of some help?
05 Dodge 3500 Q-Cab,GearVendor 8 Sp,PacBrake,Banks intercooler & intake,TST R49,Transferflow 70 tank,TrailerSaver Hitch,05 Raptor 3612,Second AC, solar 6 battery sys Xantrex 3000, WEB SITE
http://home.earthlink.net/~wbrown02/wildbillwashere22/index.html
|
Wanderman
New York
New Member
Joined: 02/19/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I have a GV unit on my class A and wouldn't leave home without it. Better mileage, much quieter, less wear and tear.
Worth every penny.
Rick
|
zmotorsports
Utah
Senior Member
Joined: 11/29/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I have had a Gear Vendors on our first motorhome (GM P-30) and would not have another gas coach without one. Mainly for the gear splitting more so than the overdrive on the newer overdrive transmissions. Mine was a TH475 GM so the overdrive was a welcomed feature. I have installed one on a 1997 Bounder 36' with the 460cid Ford engine and E4OD transmission and the client loves it, however, moreso for the reason I stated about being able to split the gears and have a gear between each of the gears. He doesn't use the unit as an overdrive a lot due to the fact the E4OD is already an overdrive trans. The Gear Vendors unit has a lower overdrive at .8:1 over the Ford trans @ .71:1 so there are times he will use the Gear Vendors rather than the transmissions overdrive if the E4OD is hunting in and out. The units are built very well and are very durable. I replaced a conical clutch in a unit a few years ago that the person just bought a truck and it already had a Gear Vendors unit installed but had a lot of miles on it. After ordering the clutch and having it ready I removed and disassembled the unit and the clutch inside the Gear Vendors unit looked almost new after approx. 95K on it. I was impressed with the minimal wear. The units are very trouble free with the only design flaw that I noticed (some wouldn't call it a flaw) is that the speedometer output is basically a GM TH400 style and the o-rings and shaft seal have a tendency to leak on occassion. I doubled up on the inner shaft seal and that corrected the leaking on my unit. The driveshaft does need to be shortened (approx. 14" if memory serves) so you are correct that if you wanted to put it back to stock a new driveshaft would have to be built which would be rather expensive. Hope this information helps, Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
|
FuzzyKnight
Santee, Ca
Full Member
Joined: 06/20/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
First let comment on your changing tire size. I would not do that ! if you want more load carring capability go up in range size. From D to E or F.
Now for the GearVendors question. I would not leave home without one. The Ford overdrive is .28 over. The GearVendors is .22 over. So by installing the GearVendors on your coach you should be able to bring RPMs down to around 2200. This is perfect for a 460 which, I beleive, has a upper RPM range of 4200 or so. As far as merging speed put a set of Headers on it.
Also learn to shift using the GearVendors IE:1st 1st over 2nd 2nd over ETC you will be surprised how fast you can pull on to the freeway this way.
Plus 8 forward speeds is cool !!
Fuzzy and Mary
2002 Allegro 31DA
1928 Model A
1953 Ford Club Coupe
1963 1/2 Falcon Ranchero Original factory V8 4 spd
1963 Fairlane SportsCoupe
1965 Honda SuperHawk
|
|
|
West Coast FT
California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
FuzzyKnight wrote:First let comment on your changing tire size. I would not do that ! if you want more load carring capability go up in range size. From D to E or F.
Fuzzy Knight, point me the way to a 215 85R16 tire in load range F. No such animal in either 215 or 235 series, which I could find. Besides my rigs bigger brother the "345B" with 235 85R16 uses same, chassis, same 16" by 6" wheels, same Dana 80 gear ratio, same wheel bearings, same brake pads as my 16" shorter model 325B.
Going from a 215 to a 235 is a 300+ lbs per tire margin of safety, in a pothole filled world. I'm not looking for increased vehicle capacity just more assurance on the roads.
BTW full Banks power pack was installed on the rig when I purchased it used. Going thru my first California smog check in a few months. California BAR was very helpful in getting the correct information on Non Catalyst emissions systems, As a power train this coach has lots of potenial, ans we're looking for weekender performance over extended stay space
Everyone, Thanks for the responses.
|
WaltH
Cal
New Member
Joined: 12/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Make sure you have sidewall seperation if you go with 235/85's. I had to take mine off because the sidewalls rubbed when mounted on the back with the weight on them.
|
T18skyguy
Eugene, OR
Senior Member
Joined: 12/13/2004
View Profile
|
Quote:He doesn't use the unit as an overdrive a lot due to the fact the E4OD is already an overdrive trans.
The issue when you install a GearVendors behind an E4OD is you must not have your final RPM's too low. If that happens the torque converter unlocks and generates excess heat which waste gas and can lead to failure of the trans. But this is also dependent on your rear axle ratio. If you call GearVendors and fully describe your setup they can tell you if you can cruise with full overdrive or not. The Gearvendors unit itself is bulletproof and they put identical units in dragsters with thousands of horsepower and no failures. You'll love it. Especially on those mountainous days.
Retired Anesthetist. Pilot with mechanic/inspection ratings.1996 Jayco C 22 foot with 460/Banks Powerpak/Bilsteins.Wife and daughter. Two cats which control my life. 1975 Ford F-250, 84 Coupe Deville, Thorp T18, tons of tools and tons of junk.
|
Mr. Jeff
Edmond, OK
Senior Member
Joined: 11/17/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
WestCoast FT - You'll have better luck finding "G" rated tired than the "F" ratings. I got tired of running right at capacity with no margin on "E" tires. Found the tired through Big O Tire stores. They had to order them but only took a couple of days to get.
Jeff, Leslie & 4 wonderful kids
1994 Fleetwood Southwind (203,000 miles and going strong!)
F-53 Chassis, F-460 (Original and nothing special!)
22' MacGregor, Hobie 16, Sunfishes
|
