West Coast FT
California
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Joined: 11/24/2005
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I thought I posted this yesterday but could find the post today. Updated: I just found my original post from yesterday. Somehow it posted on the Motorhome Open road forum, if though I don't have a membership to that forum. Any ideas Forum Administrators?
Looking for feedback from 93 thru 98 F53 owners or former owners who had the AUX overdrive installed on their Class A, preferably with the E4OD 4 speed ford transmission.
I'm considering having one installed on my 1996 Damon Ford F53. I have concerns on whether the unit is trouble free and it remendies to things like "lockouts" are easy to have fixed.
So did the AUX trans work as advertised, "flip the switch" consistently?
Every experience a breakdown caused by the unit? If so how was the problem resolved?
I'm concerned because driveline modifications (shortening) prevents simple removal and continuation of the trip. Unfortunately, my drive shaft is a 4 piece, two slip yoke setup which probably means more that one of the segments need to be cut down.
Thanks in advance
* This post was
edited 11/04/09 11:15am by West Coast FT *
TV 02' Chevy Silverado 3500 8.1 liter 4X4, Rancho 9000, Airlift Airbags 2 Honda EU3000,plus paralleling kit (6000 Watts peak!)
Old Rig (03' Lance 1161) Boy I missed it!
New Rig (05' Cedar Creek 37RDQS)
Second new Rig 1996 Damon Intruder 325B
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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At one point it googled the issues and there was some leading people to pull them. What are you hoping to gain from the $3K upgrade?
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West Coast FT
California
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Joined: 11/24/2005
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Gale Hawkins wrote:At one point it googled the issues and there was some leading people to pull them. What are you hoping to gain from the $3K upgrade?
Lower highway speed "flat lands" RPMs
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jimnbubba
Mesa AZ
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Joined: 08/12/2006
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My 93' HAD ONE WHEN I BOUGHT WORKS OK BUT YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT TO FIND OUT WHAT IT'LL DO
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Gsmitty77
San Diego
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Joined: 10/09/2006
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This is a tough one, that only you can decide if you feel is worth it.
The Gear Vendors have a solid unit, and reputation. Your transmission will be the weak link from flywheel back to the rubber on the ground.
The GV will allow you to tweak the RPM's and pull some hills at a bit faster MPH, if, your 460 is up to the task.
We looked into doing this on a 99 V10 F53, with the full Banks on it when I bought it, and the weak transmission rebuilt with a better torque converter. I did the math, and decided that the few time I climb steep enough hills to make a difference, that it was not worth it to me. I only plan to use the RV for a max of four years... If I were keeping it, I would put in the GV.
Another option to consider is what could you sell your RV for now, and then buy another newer RV with the 5 spd (Ford) or 5 or 6 spd Workhorse Allison. The brakes on the older F53, and many other things, were improved on quite a bit in the newer chassis. You might find that for an additional $10-15K, you could pick up a newer unit without the need of the GV. Yes, lots of money, but much longer life expectency out of the newer rig too...
A third option, start calling to RV wrecking yards, and checking Criagslist - for a used unit.
Good luck, be safe,
Smitty
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zmotorsports
Utah
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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If you are only looking to gain lower RPMs on your rig and already have an overdrive transmission I don't think you will get the bang for your buck feeling. The engine will most likely not have the power to pull a second overdrive. The people that have been the most happy with the Gear Vendors units have been those with three speed transmissions who are looking for the overdrive as well as getting a gear between each of their three gears. I have installed one on a 36' Bounder Ford chassis and the owner is happy with it, however, he did it mearly for the gear splitting capabilities and not just the overdrive feature because he already had overdrive.
As far as dependability and reliability I have had great luck with them and have been very impressed other than a small leak issue which I posted about yesterday but after doubling up on the inner seal that was no longer an issue either. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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At the risk of high jacking this thread, does the Gear Vendor unit do it's shifting while under full throttle or do you have to let up on the throttle during the shift???
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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FuzzyKnight
Santee, Ca
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Joined: 06/20/2005
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Full Throttle !!!
Fuzzy and Mary
2002 Allegro 31DA
1928 Model A
1953 Ford Club Coupe
1963 1/2 Falcon Ranchero Original factory V8 4 spd
1963 Fairlane SportsCoupe
1965 Honda SuperHawk
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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At one point I read about their use in racing.
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