DragRag,
I just did some research on "Gear Venders" after reading about your find. I was wondering if you could tell me what the Gear Venders System is like in the "real world". Are the shift's faster, RPM's drop a lot less between shifts, keep the power in the heart of the torque range, etc... What I was reading on there website makes sense, but I would rather hear it from someone who actually own's/uses one. I understand that it's brand new to you but your first thought's on it would be great. As I stated in my earlier post I have spend a lot of time and money trying to improve my MPG and this my be the final thing to throw at it.
Thanks, and again what a "Killer" find!
Jamie (Advrider)
Well, I do drive and F350 with the E40D, so I can compare the two overdrives. In short the gear vendor can be shifted in two different way. You can switch from Auto to Manual in the cab. There is a second switch on the floor that looks just like the high beam switch for the lights. This van being 4.10 geared is pretty low, so I don't drive without using the gear vendor at all on road. I leave it in the auto position will cruising the streets with the kiddies inside. BtW, they love it, and so do all there friends. On the power end if not accelerating heavily it will kick in around 43 mph with a fairly smooth shift, but you can feel it. These units do not shift slow. When accelerating more heavily it shifts faster and harder. it is not neck breaking, but fast and firm. It feels like a trans should shift from the factory, but never does. Compared to my E40D truck the gearvendor shifts much faster and firmer, makes my E40D looks lazy. The RPM's drop is significant but not obscene, seems to be right were it needs to be. I would need to record the exact drop to let you know that. Let me know if you want that info.
The NP205 will likely have a different bolt patter on the back to hook it up. The gearvendor itself will be exactly the same, they do sell different adapters for different applications and manufacturers. If you find one for a steal just get it, you can get the adapter later. If course if you get the correct adapter with it that would be great to, but just know that any gearvendor will work.
Spency, no mods to the tank were needed the way it looks to me. I'd say it's a bolt and play install. I would not want to daily drive this van without it. Or, I would have to change to 3.55's, the 4.10 are just to low geared without a gearvendor. I will be trying out a set of 285/75R16 in place of the 31's that are on it now also. I'll post pics of those when bolted up. I already have them on Factory Ford 8 lug alcoa's, one of my favorite wheels.
Thanks for the compliments also, I'll let you know the latest recorded MPG's with the larger tire when I can. I also need to fix the injector return line leaks, that will certainly help also. I am hoping for at least 18mpg highway after the work is done. I'll try keeping it at 65mph to, that should help.
