Robert Venable

Anyone have an auxiliary overdrive units on a 1st gen 5 speed? Gear Vendors is the only company I know of that list one for the Getrag Tranny in our trucks, but if anyone knows any other models that are avalible please let me know

I am trying to see if anyone has found these units to be worth the money in fuel savings and closer shifts when carring heavy loads.

Any information will be accepted.

Graeme

The people I have talked to with an aux overdrive all had either 4.10 gears or a transmission without overdrive. For them it it was definitely worthwhile. With your higher gears there wouldn't be as big an advantage, but I think it might still be worth it.

I did a quick search of the net, and it appears that gear vendors is your only choice with the getrag.

Suburbanite

Here's another alternative that I just discovered on eBay Motors. This the 1st that I've heard of the brand but it looks like a very stout unit. Read the description for additional info, it's very detailed.

You might want to try a forum search, if you haven't already, to find out the pros & cons of using an aux OD. Basically, really hard to justify at full retail but if bought at discount (used), payback comes much faster. FWIW, got mine for $900 but it was originally installed on a RV with a Ford C-6 auto so I'll have to buy the correct extension for the Getrag. Hopefully, I'll be able find it used as well. Other cons: possible issues with an exhaust brake & can't (AFAIK) be used while engine braking (what there is of it).

Good luck.

Robert Venable

Suburbanite,

I have one problem with your idea of swaping the extention housings. IT seems that the Getrag model doesn't use an extenstion housing, it actually replaces the carrier bearing assembaly on our trucks. So, I'm wondering if you can make the swap.

Suburbanite

Robert,

Really haven't researched it (obviously) bc it was originally bought for a GM diesel with 4.10's. Since that truck is long gone (thank goodness) I was hoping to use it on my future Dodge. Maybe not, but hopefully it'll work ... perhaps without an extension ... or maybe with just a short adapter. Got to get the truck 1st.