2 speed rear end

[77crewcab]

Just wondering if anyone has considered installing a 2 speed rear end out of the 6/7000 series trucks to use on a tow rig? There is a GMC 6000 at the local yard with a 465/2 speed rear and shile the rear axle is pretty big it got me thinking about if it could be done or if it would even be beneficial. Any thoughts?

 

[big_truxx]

it would allow you to get a lot larger load rolling with a smaller engine. ie 350 although my grandfather has a 70's c60 w/ 350/465 straight geared rear! And yes I used to haul the full 6 yrds of sand in that truck just like his other 80's c70 366/5-speed/split rear would. I was even able to accelerate faster with the "little" truck than another guy could with the bigger truck. LOL so I guess it's all about how you drive what you have and what you need it to do.

 

[77crewcab]

Honestly just thought it might be a cool thing to have for a tow rig to basically have 8 gears (with 465) and have some LOW gears to get rolling similar to how a semi does. With experience driving both style axles in the same size truck do you think it would work well for a daily driver/tow rig on a crewcab?

 

[big_truxx]

well seethe way I always use a split rear is start off in low range, shift through gears in low till yer top gear, then shift the rear up to high range. And yes I think it would work well. Have considered it myself

 

[77crewcab]

Thats what I was thinking too. Should certainly help with the gear spacing problems of the 465. I guess if it isnt enough a gear vendors could always be added. Seems like an interesting idea anyway wonder how much fab work would be required.

 

[Zeitler]

these 2-speeds axles , how do they work ?

 

[R72K5]

vacuum

they are big
huge
overkill

personally i wouldnt do it

but good luck

i have owned a few big trucks so i know about them and have driven them

the last oen i had was a 53 6400 the GVW of the thing was 16,000

thats the largest you can legally drive in IL on a regular drivers license

the vacuum system for the axle ranges was broken,

its a PITA fixing that when it happens, i never got to fix it and ended up selling the truck, it was in good shape otherwise, clean truck and all, i only gave 500 for it and drove it away
its still running around town, saw it last week, i had it a couple years ago,


heh

 

[Lonnie P]

Unless you are getting the rear from a diesel version of the truck, it will likely be geared very steeply. Most range from 5.29 to 7.17 in high range. For low range multiply by 1.36.

I have one with 7.17:1 & it is 9.77 in low.

You better have a very tall tire or plan to go slow while towing.