First report, 3K miles with USGear overdrive.

First report, 3K miles with USGear overdrive.

04-22-2002, 08:28 PM

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LarryB

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Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Gig Harbor, WA.- Los Barriles Baja Mex. Posts: 983 Old Reader's Rigs Gallery

First report, 3K miles with USGear overdrive.

Just finished up a 3k+ trip with my new USGear overdrive. Some good news, some bad.

Good
Nice to have extra gear choices.
Nice to be able to roll along at 75+ with my 4:11s

Bad
Very noisy shifting, especially warm.
Runs very hot in overdrive, almost unusable sometimes.
Extra drivetrain noise and vibration in overdrive is irritating, especially when making lots of power.

The biggest gripe I have is with the temp. If I have a headwind, overdrive is a real risk. Oil temp will climb to over 300 within minuets. Shift to direct and it will cool down some. Real frustrating. Hills can usually be pulled in overdrive though, if they are not too long. I wouldn't even attempt to use one of these in overdrive without a temp gauge.

All in all? I don't think I would install one again. I'd just go with taller gears and a 4K gov kit. It hasn't been a real good improvement/cost for me.

Just my opinion.

__________________
Larry Buck 72 Dodge 1ton/Chinook class C motorhome with 96/215hp Cummins, 370's, Piers 4K gov kit, BD afc kit, 16cm, 16%btdc, K&N RE0880, 4/5" exh, 5sp/USGear 2sp, 4"BD E-brake. 1998 24v, Bone Stock

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