Gear Vendors

[84 M1008]

Hey guys, anyone running a Gear Vendors behind the TH400/NP208? I've seen some used incomplete units on eBay without electronics. Question is, can I engage the shifting solenoid with a simple switch? I did this to lock up my 700R4 in my old M1031-K30, and it worked fine.

 

[Blue Ox]

I guess you can. Personally,... I tend to forget it when coasting. No idea what it would suffer if you tried to launch in OD, but since the hydraulic pump runs off the shaft I would think it would cause issues.

IOW, it would place a lot of faith in you following procedure. Every single time.

 

[HotRodPC]

Seems

Hey guys, anyone running a Gear Vendors behind the TH400/NP208? I've seen some used incomplete units on eBay without electronics. Question is, can I engage the shifting solenoid with a simple switch? I did this to lock up my 700R4 in my old M1031-K30, and it worked fine.

Pretty sure the lock up converter is a much different method than a Gear Vendors. Gear Vendors to my undersanding is a set of plantary gears. A soloenoid will hold a hold a sun gear to create the OD or release to create the underdrive. I'm sure you're aware this will only work when in your in 2wd since your front axle.... You know whutta mean. I think the funds would be better spent with a 4L80-E conversion. Costly yes with the price of the controller and drive shaft mods but compare the 2 methods and what you'd gain.

 

[glockholiday]

Know a guy that put the gear vender in an 89' 3500 TBI 454 and went from 10-11mpg to 11-12mpg. He said he wished he put the money somewhere else.

 

[HotRodPC]

Know a guy that put the gear vender in an 89' 3500 TBI 454 and went from 10-11mpg to 11-12mpg. He said he wished he put the money somewhere else.

EXACTLY !!! Very common response.

 

[84 M1008]

Know a guy that put the gear vender in an 89' 3500 TBI 454 and went from 10-11mpg to 11-12mpg. He said he wished he put the money somewhere else.

I have a 6.2, it's drinking fuel with 4.56 gears. I need to lower the rpm's for the highway.

 

[HotRodPC]

I have a 6.2, it's drinking fuel with 4.56 gears. I need to lower the rpm's for the highway.

Yep, the 6.2's don't like higher rpms anyway. Are you saying you're finding cheap Gear Vendors on eBay? You should do the math both directions, Gear Vendor Swap, or 4L80-E Swap. The 4L80-E Swap would be choice without a doubt if it's only within a $300-$500 difference. Then you also have OD in 4wd, not to mention a tuneable shift via the controller.

 

[84 M1008]

And adapt my 208 transfer case with a clocking ring. I don't know about a 3 to 500 dollar difference. The controller is far more than 500 dollars alone.

 

[bucket]

Know a guy that put the gear vender in an 89' 3500 TBI 454 and went from 10-11mpg to 11-12mpg. He said he wished he put the money somewhere else.

For me, mpg wouldn't have anything to do with it. I'd want one so I can run real steep gearing and not be at high rpm's going down the highway. And still have a simple and near bulletproof TH400.

 

[84 M1008]

That's what I was thinking. I want to cruise @ 65 mph at 21-2200 rpm's . High rpm's is sure death of a 6.2 no matter what anyone says about running it on the governor all day long. Why do that if there is a better option.

 

[HotRodPC]

And adapt my 208 transfer case with a clocking ring. I don't know about a 3 to 500 dollar difference. The controller is far more than 500 dollars alone.

You'd use the same Tcase and adapter. 4L80-E is very similar to a Th400. In fact they do share some of the same internal parts. Splines are the same, gear ratios are the same except the 80-E has the OD, the same 6 bolt pattern extension or tailshaft housing etc. You can get controllers for about $500 now, $100 or $200 more for nicer more adjustable ones though.

 

[Blue Ox]

It makes a big difference on the diesel. Ours picked up about 4 MPG with the GV on 4.10 rears. The precombustion chamber engine doesn't breathe well at high RPMs.

 

[Blue Ox]

Know a guy that put the gear vender in an 89' 3500 TBI 454 and went from 10-11mpg to 11-12mpg. He said he wished he put the money somewhere else.

Looking at the best case scenario going from 10 MPG to 12 is a 20% improvement. What was he expecting?

 

[84 M1008]

Looking at the best case scenario going from 10 MPG to 12 is a 20% improvement. What was he expecting?

Yeah, it's a big block!

 

[rpcraft]

FWIW if you spend the money on a 4l80E you can use the gm PCM as a controller. It takes some minor tuning and addign some sensors to the motor but I think if you are running TBI you might already have everything it needs. I know you can pick up a GM pcm for 50 bucks at a wrecking yard and probably pay a tuner to set it up but it seems like it would still be cheaper than a stand alone controller. The controller might be more tunable though so there is that.