Gear Vendors Overdrive Unit
 

Ok, long story short:

My old man is selling his motorhome. He had a Gear Vendors unit installed on it about 4 thousand miles ago. The coach is a 1998 with 1997 Ford powerplant. 460cid in front of a 4R100 (2wd, of course)

He told me the Gear Vendors is mine if I have the drive shaft lengthened and replace the tail cone on the trans. That's no big deal, I'm wondering if I can make this work on my 4wd pickup. I know there would have to be something done to my t-case, just not sure what, if anyone has any experience with these things post up! Thanks in advance.

Pat Johnson

I really have no idea. I am just posting to get subscribed to this. I think a GV overdrive would be awesome to have

You may need an adapter/coupler. They run around $300 from Gear Vendors.

What transmission is in your Powerstroke?

Just got off the phone with a rep from Gear Vendors.

He said it will absolutely work, the cost will depend on what model transfer case my truck has and whether or not his trans has a big parking brake drum on it. I did not see the 13" PB under the motorhome, so it looks like the neighborhood of $800 to make the swap work including the driveshafts getting lengthened and shortened. All electronics should be the same.

Stoked

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E4OD trans with 4407 transfer case.

I may hit up one of Gear Vendors' dealers and see if I can get it on the cheap-er.

Pops had the unit installed at Camping World, and they charged less for the entire unit installed than what Gear Vendors wanted for just the kit...

All you need is the adapter and coulper for your transfer case and either shortened or new driveshaft, as long as you get all the wiring/electronics from the motorhome. It should not be anywhere near $800 if you do the work yourself. It's possible you'll need a shim or two to get the coupler clearanced properly, a couple bucks at most hardware stores. I'd guess $400 max to inclue around $100 for a driveshaft shortening.

Most likely GV is considering a whole new set of electronics because you have 4WD. The only additional thing you would really need is a harness (2wires with an RCA plug on one end) from your transfer case to the GV brain for 4WD lockout. This is not even essential as long as you don't ever try to engage it in 4-Hi anywhere above the low speed lockout.

Thanks for the input!

Only other expense is I think I have to buy a new tail-cone and lengthen the motorhome drive shaft.

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You're right on the electronics, no one in their right mind would split gears in 4hi

It sure will be nice to be able to tow half-way between drive and overdrive.:choochoo:

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.

Only one snag. The transmission on the motorhome has a hydraulic driveline parking brake, and my transfer case does not. I can swap the unit and brake to my truck but it would leave me with some problems patching up the motorhome. I don't care if the brake on the motorhome has vanished, I just need a way to close up the back of the trans on it so it can drive away. It is unnecessary for the upcoming owner, considering he will be residing in it in a trailer park.

I guess I will learn as I go!

I know one thing is for sure, that Gear Vendors unit is not going away with the RV. I have 4.10 gears and the truck sees the river (650mi round trip) quite a bit. I'm basically doing this for the double overdrive on the highway... mmmmm... 80mph @ 17-1800 rpm! The 35" tires helped it on the freeway, but this will definitely suffice for better mileage and less wear on important parts. I just hope I'll figure a way to make it happen before Summer kicks in.

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This here is the unit currently on the motorhome: (parking brake assy. not shown)
http://gearvendors.com/shop_images/E4ODB.jpg
Here is the kit that they sell for my truck:
http://gearvendors.com/shop_images/BW1356_long.jpg

I'm thinking you will experience no increase in mileage and possibly a decrease.

I'm thinking it couldn't possibly hurt mileage. It would be helping to keep optimum RPM's at all speeds...