I am tossing around the idea of buying one. I was courios if anyone had used one before of has one now. I have a 727, with 3.07 rearend. As near as I can figure it will cost me about 2800 bucks. For one do you think it is worth that much, I put on at least 70 miles a day most of the time 100+? Second would I be geared too high or not? I am going to jump up to 285s when these tires wear out around spring/summer. Any comments from you wiser guys out there would help, I think Thanks
Heath

 

they are kinda price and would probably have been a good idea when new cause it may just be paying for itself with all the miles you have on it now. I have also been thinking of one for the toy factor may different views as to wether it will actually save u any money some people report yes and others no. sit down and do the math and see how much of an RPM change it will be and where the final drive rpm will be with your tire size and gear ratio you dont want it to low.

 

I haven't done the math lately, but if you want to cruise at 70 + mph it would probably help with the fuel economy and make it more comfortable to drive (I think it brings 70 right down to 1650 or 1700 rpm which is prime for economy). It would take MANY miles to pay for itself with fuel alone, though. You would have to be willing to pay for the driveability factor to rationalize it.

 

Another thought you might want to consider is swapping in a transmission with overdrive, particularly if your transmission has a lot of miles on it and might need to be rebuilt in the near future.

 

Upgrading to a new OD tranny might be compareable in cost to the divorced unit. I have been laning towards an OD unit myself. Should help with wear and tear of high RPM freeway driving, mileage, and quiet the ride down on the freeway. The 727 would be much cheaper to repair if needed. If the overdrive ever gives out, you at least have a transmission left. Was 2800 with installation? Seems they were closer to 2000. You may even find a used one at a truck scrap yard. An issue with them I picked up on, was that they tend to run hot due to lack of an oil circulator. Keep us informed.
Don

 

It just bolts on as the tail shaft of the 727, I would think it gets plenty of oil?

We have one in our 83 crew duallie. WIth 4.10's and a 440, we could use more overdrive tho. A 3.54 rear gear would probably be perfect with a gas motor and OD. You can use 5 or 6 gears to accel, then roll along in OD till you get to a hill and click out. WIth the 4.10's and a 440, we never have to click out of OD. I think mpg would be better with 3.54's and downshifting on big hills.

The 3.07 * .78 = 2.39
a 3.54 * .69 = 2.44

so you'd have about the same final OD drive as the rest of us, and you'd have 6 gears to accel. I would think it'd be a pretty decent set up.

 

Thats what I thought. On there site it was $2600 for the unit and I am guessing about 200 for misc. parts and driveshaft modifcation. Eventually I would like to swap in a motor and tranny out of a 95, but I haven't found a good donor yet.
Heath

 

I just bought a truck we with the us gear over drive. i love it. My truck has the 4.10 gears , 5 speed, 4wd. It really brings the rpm down.
Things i dont like
1. It was a whine to it.
2. It puts a little more slop in the drive train.

I still would recomend one.. 60 mph at about 1700 rpm