anybody ever use one?
CK5
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Gearvender overdrive?
- Thread starter bablazer73
- Start date
I would like to but not at the price of a new one.
I never seem to catch a deal on a used one
I talked with an older gentleman a few years ago when he was selling his '87 K30 single rear wheel truck. He had installed a Gear Vendor's onto the back of the NP205. He told me that he really liked it since the truck had the SM465. Towing the boat to Lake Powell and the camo trailer was most of what the truck had done. He had to rebuild the unit once, partially because he didn't know when he got it that going down hills in 3rd over, wasn't good for the overdrive unit. He was told after getting it rebuilt that he shouldn't use overdrive for long grade downhill, holding the truck and load back. I believe that he told me that they rebuilt it for no cost to him, but I may be incorrect.
I have never used one, but I have talked a number of people at hot rod shows that have used them in their muscle cars with Turbo 400 trans, and they said they never had any problems with them.
I was going to swap in a 4L80E, but it’s easier to just do a Gearvender.
Dad had one on his truck for years. Never any issues with it, but I think it is not worth the expense on the 465 equipped trucks.
Its .5 iirc, which is pretty well worthless in THAT application for splitting gears, since the stock gear splits are already pretty much half, and IIRC you cant use it under 25mph, so you lose any low end application it might otherwise have.
Most of the auto trans have more oddly staggered ratios, which would possibly allow some gear splits that would put the engine in different usable RPM ranges.
IIRC in the automatic applications you dont have to worry about forgetting to disengage as you slow down either. Apparently you can damage them doing so with the manual, and I can see why, having done it myself once.
Imo if you need more gears, then a built 700 or 4l80e for automatics, or 4500 in manual is the way to go. Granted though, the 4500 really only gives you overdrive vs the 465.
And not that I generally go fast in 4wd, but cant use it in 4wd either.
Its .5 iirc, which is pretty well worthless in THAT application for splitting gears, since the stock gear splits are already pretty much half, and IIRC you cant use it under 25mph, so you lose any low end application it might otherwise have.
Most of the auto trans have more oddly staggered ratios, which would possibly allow some gear splits that would put the engine in different usable RPM ranges.
IIRC in the automatic applications you dont have to worry about forgetting to disengage as you slow down either. Apparently you can damage them doing so with the manual, and I can see why, having done it myself once.
Imo if you need more gears, then a built 700 or 4l80e for automatics, or 4500 in manual is the way to go. Granted though, the 4500 really only gives you overdrive vs the 465.
And not that I generally go fast in 4wd, but cant use it in 4wd either.
I have 2 , I really like them .
The only issue I can say is that you can’t use it in 4wd
The only issue I can say is that you can’t use it in 4wd
One of mine is behind a NV5600 and the other is behind a NV4500 .
You can’t split low gear , but from 2nd gear on up you can and it’s great !
You are not supposed to use the O/D during engine braking . I have done it on occasion but I generally try to avoid it.
Being able to split 3rd and 4th in the NV4500 is awesome . And also being able to toggle from 5th/direct to 5th/OD at the flip of a switch is very nice as well I find my self doing that most.
The one behind my NV4500 is mated to a 205 , which was behind SM465 . Which made it almost as good as a NV4500 but also able to split the 3/4 shift
You can’t split low gear , but from 2nd gear on up you can and it’s great !
You are not supposed to use the O/D during engine braking . I have done it on occasion but I generally try to avoid it.
Being able to split 3rd and 4th in the NV4500 is awesome . And also being able to toggle from 5th/direct to 5th/OD at the flip of a switch is very nice as well I find my self doing that most.
The one behind my NV4500 is mated to a 205 , which was behind SM465 . Which made it almost as good as a NV4500 but also able to split the 3/4 shift
These Ranger overdrives I thought used to be available with both an overdrive & underdrive ability all in the same "box",but I guess they are only offering overdrives now ?..
With these,you can use 4wd ,as it goes between the bell housing and transmission..
Complete Units | Advance Adapters
With these,you can use 4wd ,as it goes between the bell housing and transmission..
Complete Units | Advance Adapters
Interesting to hear people's experiences. I want to keep my 66 C20 as original as possible and I was thinking an overdrive unit would be a good way to make it more highway friendly. I just have to hope to find a used one.
I'm going to be towing with it, more concerned with highway MPG. 2,900 for the gearvender. I have a 4L80E, but with rebuild, controller, and other parts to convert, it's about the same cost. I'm more thinking the Gearvender would be easier.
I haven't seen any used ones, saw 1 REMAN, but just the gearbox, and it was 1,600.
Yeah, I figure they're rarer than hen's teeth.
Years ago I recall reading in a magazine that a Chevy C-10 of 1963-66 vintage with 4 coil spring suspension and a straight 6 or small V8 with a 3 speed manual transmission ,with the optional factory overdrive unit,was touted to be "an ideal vehicle for both commuting and work use"..
I have seen a few 3 speeds with the factory overdrive add on unit,but I don't think they ever offered an overdrive for any of the GM 4 speed manuals..
I have seen a few 3 speeds with the factory overdrive add on unit,but I don't think they ever offered an overdrive for any of the GM 4 speed manuals..
I have a Ranger overdrive as well , it’s cool but not as versatile or easy to use as Gearvendors
It requires extensive floor cutting , and obviously only works on manual trans .
It does allow you to split each gear , and yes you can use it in 4wd . But if you have never drove Twin Sticks , well let’s just say it’s not for everyone.
I would love for Advance Adapters to make a Ranger that fit the NV4500
Here’s a Video of what it’s like to shift
I once tried driving an old C-60 that had a "brownie box" auxillary transmission behind the 4 speed--you needed 6 hands to drive the dam thing!..but it had enough speeds to satisfy any situation..truck also had a 2 speed rear axle in it to...top speed was about 53 mph though!..
This truck sounds t**ts!...twin stick shiftin' - YouTube
This truck sounds t**ts!...twin stick shiftin' - YouTube
I'll see if dad remembers differently, but I want to say with his 454/465/4.10s, freeway, it went up 2mpg with the GV unit.
Edit: yes, 2mpg freeway is correct in his case.
Edit: yes, 2mpg freeway is correct in his case.
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gear vendors is real tight on there stuff . i have heard story's of people not able to keep the adapter off a used unit and just buy a new one . they want the old ones back .
otherwise there not super popular for talking about on any forums i have been on over the years . but never heard any bad about them .
few i have seen on ebay tend to go for almost new price .
what trans controller kit have you looked at for the 4l80-e ? lots of guys here have used www.usshift.com . i have one just not up and running yet . 4 shift programs you can pick from on the fly and you can set every thing . and lots of upgrades options in the programing like lockup in other gears . compression braking . custom gear ratio's for 4x4 t-cases like doublers .
otherwise there not super popular for talking about on any forums i have been on over the years . but never heard any bad about them .
few i have seen on ebay tend to go for almost new price .
what trans controller kit have you looked at for the 4l80-e ? lots of guys here have used www.usshift.com . i have one just not up and running yet . 4 shift programs you can pick from on the fly and you can set every thing . and lots of upgrades options in the programing like lockup in other gears . compression braking . custom gear ratio's for 4x4 t-cases like doublers .
My ex buddy put one behind a M21 manual in his SS 396 66’ Chevelle. The 396 was about 450hp. But he had built a 540 inch Merlin block Dart headed big block from Paul Phaff racing engines. It dynoed at 625 hp and had a healthy 685 pound feet of torque. He had the biggest tire you can fit under a rolled lip chevelle wheel well. You could not keep those tires hooked. It would smoke the tires at any speed. 60/70 on the freeway and it would smoke the tires.
My buddy loved the GV over/underdrive unit. It eliminated the rpm drop you get while shifting. My buddy got good and banging through the gears using the splitter to shift into those “mid” gears. You have to get used to it for a racing application, but for wheeling and towing no big deal. They’re good to up to 1500hp. I wanted to put one behind the TH400 in my 89’ crewcab had I kept it.
My buddy loved the GV over/underdrive unit. It eliminated the rpm drop you get while shifting. My buddy got good and banging through the gears using the splitter to shift into those “mid” gears. You have to get used to it for a racing application, but for wheeling and towing no big deal. They’re good to up to 1500hp. I wanted to put one behind the TH400 in my 89’ crewcab had I kept it.
