Finally finished the Gear Vendors intall I started about two weeks ago. Went through some delays due to weather (-22 here last night!) and typical ordering/parts snafus. Hopefully anyone doing this install in the future can avoid the controllable stuff.

Basically, the issues with installing this thing on a 1st Gen involves the speedo drive and associated signal generator. There is only approximately 1 3/4" clearance from the fuel tank where the speedo drive exits the GV unit, so you need a right angle adapter. They should know this and order the correct part, but probably won't, so don't forget to ask for it. The 2nd gotcha with the speedo involves their speedo signal generator. I don't know why they don't just apply a little more R&D and come up with a way of utilizing the stock signal generator, but they don't. So you end up with two signal generators tailed together (2nd pic). The problem I ran into was the two would not mate up correctly without a spacer washer, which they did not supply, nor do they mention anything about any possible snafus here in the instructions. Without an additional 1/16" or so clearance, the GV signal generator binds and will not turn after the locking collar is tightened. You won't discover this until you ruin a cable if you don't check 1st.

But, once it is installed and working correctly it sure is great! I'm now turning about 1800rpm at 70mph in 5th-over. Should be good for at least 22mpg, based on my previous 19mpg. The other potentially even more valuable benefit is towing. It should now be able to easily maintain interstate speed pulling a fairly heavy load in 4th-over with no trans heat issues.

http://66.17.171.114/PhotoAlbum/Cars/Pics/CTD_91.jpg
http://66.17.171.114/PhotoAlbum/Cars/Pics/CTD_92.jpg
http://66.17.171.114/PhotoAlbum/Cars/Pics/CTD_93.jpg

 

Looks great, your gonna love it!!!!

 

good write up. i too am interested in this. i hve a 727 with a 205. i could only dream about 20 miles per gal. what did u end up spending after it was all said and done? what was your install time, and rate the difficulty.

 

The GV was $2940.00 shipped + $215 for a new driveshaft + about $25 of Syntorq fluid. That stuff is too expensive. The stock shaft could be shortened for around $150, but I chose to go ahead a get a whole new shaft because it wasn't that much more, and I can always pull the GV and restore the truck to stock with the old shaft should the remote chance of that happening ever come up.

The install itself is not difficult at all for anyone who can turn a wrench with moderate competency. The only even slightly troublesome issue is making sure the adapter coupling is installed with minimum end play. No biggie at all, really. Running some wires, etc. Way easy.

 

to install ? is it just removing the output shaft housing, and bolting on parts or more? did the t-case have to come out?

 

Nope, you got it. Just replace the extension housing with the GV, bolt in a new driveshaft, run a few wires. That's about it. I'd say it took me a total of around 4 hours work over three sessions. Took about an hour and a haf to get apart and realize I had the wrong speedo adapter. Then about an hour and a half of running wires and installing the control module and switch. Then another hour or so to put it back together again with the correct speedo adapter installed. That has to go in with the unit on the bench because it just barely fits with a 1/4" clearance after bolting the GV back on.

 

I was charged $40 dollars for my driveshaft shortening for my tranny swap. This was at Driveline Specialties aka the Dana Spicer place!! just for those of you thinking of cost.

 

Will the GV work even if you have the truck's 4x4 engaged? Or, do you have to make sure you have the GV disengaged before you go into 4x4?

 

No, absolutely not. In fact, that is one of the wires you run to the TC for 4x lockout.

 

So, the GV works only on the rear end and will not engage if the truck is in 4x4, right?

 

correct!! That's how the GV works