gear vendors install.....a real life one. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mtdave2 · 09-18-2009, 02:44 PM

ok, i called them up and asked a few questions. they were friendly and knowledgeable, i ordered the unit. i asked when i could expect the unit, to told me Wednesday, and would make sure the unit got out the next day.

watching the tracking on ups i noticed it showed arrived in LA...on Tuesday i got an automated call to expect the package tomorrow, and someone had to be there to then nothing. so i called. its lost but may be on the truck.. it was...on Wednesday day they tried to deliver, but none home to sign for it. i called to have it taken off the truck. it wasn’t, and was out for delivery again on Thursday...fighting with ups, i finally did get the unit..

Showed up in one box...

I started looking at the stuff, and the unit itself looks cool, and everything seems to be well make…except the adapter. you can see the machining flaw here.

I doesn’t seam to cause a problem, the gasket should take care of it should take care of it

mtdave2 · 09-18-2009, 02:51 PM

So first step, get the truck off the ground, and one real wheel so I can turn the drive line.

Some before photos, I was concerned about the clearance of the xover pipe.

Remove the speedometer cable from the trany
Then remove the original tail shaft , and the drive line (a side not, remove the u-joint at the rear and pull the drive line out as one unit, I should have known this, but…you need to take the WHOLE drive line to the drive shaft shop so they can balance the WHOLE drive line….first stupid mistake I made)

.

mtdave2 · 09-18-2009, 02:59 PM

Remove the speedometer cable from the trany
Then remove the original tail shaft , and the drive line (a side not, remove the u-joint at the rear and pull the drive line out as one unit, I should have known this, but…you need to take the WHOLE drive line to the drive shaft shop so they can balance the WHOLE drive line….first stupid mistake I made)

.

Next, use the new gasket (a large rubber one found in a plastic bag, more on this on later) then mount the adapter on your trany. They say, using the original bolts.. problem is thickness, the bolts will bottom out before everything is tight. I had 2 shorter ones, and had to use washers for the other two..

Next is put in the coupler. You have to put it in, be sure its seated, then use a straight edge to measure the endplay… I had to use ALL the spacers they gave me to get the proper measure ment..0.00 to 0.015 inch.

mtdave2 · 09-18-2009, 03:03 PM

Now put the gasket on the GV unit and slide on..

For me, I did have a clearance problem with the xover..dam it, missed it by ½! A friend had my torch, so I did what any red blooded guy would do…beat with a hammer.. ill have the x over fixed later…

Then secure with 8 nuts and washers…

Now I am waiting on the drive shaft….. update progress tomorrow.

*2tons of fun* · 09-19-2009, 08:52 PM

"you dont have time to be sitting around waiting for parts"

then you are complaining about a flaw that has no bearing on the sealing ability or the structure of the component........

i wouldnt sweat it.

my shop sells and installs gv so we get our hands on a lot of them, i have never seen one that had a fubar on it like that or at all.

jojo · 09-19-2009, 09:12 PM

I wouldn't have waited either. If it were me, I'd want to see it installed asap.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

"you dont have time to be sitting around waiting for parts"

then you are complaining about a flaw that has no bearing on the sealing ability or the structure of the component........

i wouldnt sweat it.

my shop sells and installs gv so we get our hands on a lot of them, i have never seen one that had a fubar on it like that or at all.

thats not the point.. the point is, something that is supposed to be very high end, quality, and expensive, things like that are unacceptable.

69GMCLonghorn · 09-18-2009, 03:25 PM

Good luck, man! Looks good so far!

Someone on here has a tag line that reads, "Beat it to fit, paint it to match!"... almost applies to your exhaust.

Shaky · 09-18-2009, 05:04 PM

Watching with great interest as I'm planning on getting one.

For the price of the unit, I think I would've called GV up and asked for a new adapter.

BB72CHEVKT · 09-18-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaky

Watching with great interest as I'm planning on getting one.

For the price of the unit, I think I would've called GV up and asked for a new adapter.

I agree.

pmpski_1 · 09-19-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB72CHEVKT

I agree.

+1. I know you're in a hurry, but that was more than a machining flaw. I wonder how that got out the door. I hear all kinds of great things about GV, but that there makes me think twice. Especially for the price.

**DANTIP** · 09-18-2009, 06:04 PM

Great Information! Keep it coming!!!

Sinister · 09-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Looking good. I'd be worried about that H-pipe cooking the GV.

mclairmo · 09-18-2009, 07:13 PM

Yeah, I would have that H-pipe moved or removed. Will add heat to the fluid and other GV components.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 12:27 AM

i am going to have the xover fixed..and GV will be hearing about all the issues, i have several. i dont have time to send and wait for parts..

for the cost of the unit, everything, inlucding the instructions, should be perfect.

BCOWANWHEELS · 09-19-2009, 12:39 AM

You put this behind a th350 right ? ALSO YOU COULD PROBABLY GET AWAY WITH A 1 PIECE DRIVE SHAFT NOW.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

You put this behind a th350 right ? ALSO YOU COULD PROBABLY GET AWAY WITH A 1 PIECE DRIVE SHAFT NOW.

ya i was thinking this, but the truck is a long horn.. so its still too long.

TonyJohnson · 09-19-2009, 12:50 PM

Watching...

Jtrux · 09-19-2009, 08:42 PM

Yeah I guess you can have your torch back.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 09:35 PM

Next…put the drive shaft of, everything fit well, I measured correctly! Then bolted up the carrier bearing.

The speedo unit went it nicely, just put on the O ring, slide in the gear. lube, and put in the hole, tighten on with a hole down clap. Screw on the speedo cable extender, connect the other end to the speedo pickup that GV provides. Connect original speedo cable end to the other side of it, secure it to the the frame..and its done.

For some reason, gear vendors has changed their mind several times on what oil to put in the unit. In some of their instructions, they say use dextral II, then in other places it says a gear oil… then on the front of the book, they have a sticker saying us gm manual trans lubricant p/n 12346190. not sure why, but again, I would expect for $3k, they would have top notch instruction book, that are up to date…more on that at the end of this…

I got the stuff they last recommend, the gm stuff and put it in.. I was glad to see it was in an easy spot to fill.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 09:42 PM

Electronics.

I got all the parts out, and read the instruction, plugged in everything where they said to. I am very impressed, its straight forward, well labeled and almost moron proof (I messed it up lmao)
See the photo..

First step, I found the place that I wanted the control box. I ended up just using the Velcro GV provided. I like the location, its out of sight, but if I want to see it just lean left or right an few inches. Also I don’t have to look at the light when its on.. perfect!

After I did that next was to find a spot to mount control box. Turned out the best place was right behind the other box! This on I had to drill 2 small holes…grrr I hate holes.. but it fit well, and its out of sight. the photo is before i put the screw in and leveled it out.

Next, run the 2 wire sets through the fire wall, one goes the speedo sensor, the other goes to solenoid on the gv unit. Nice easy straight forward.. no way to screw this up, the wires have colored band too keep them straight.

How to mess up? Running the wires through the fire wall, I got the first one no prob, but the second one, the pre-attached connectors were too fat to get it though, so without thinking I just grabbed the snippers and cut them off.. no big deal, I have a pile of connectors..

The problem? They use phone jack like connectors at the control box,, with 3 wires per cable…$@% ! I took the old connector, all 3 wires seems to be connected to each other so I stripped them and spun then together, attached the connector and crimped it.. I hope im not screwing something up…

I connected the to the speedo wires,

And the solenoid, zipped the wires up, and that part was done.

I found a great easy ground, connected it. Found a keyed power line and tapped into it. Only thing left is the foot switch.

I choose a location that was at bit higher and a bit to the right of the high beam switch and made two more predrilled holes #$( and a 2 self tapping screws. Look and works good.

Problem. what to do with the floor mat. I don’t want to cut a hole in it..i am afraid it would eventual rip. So I just pulled the mat over it for now. I can hit the switch, and it works fine.. i may just leave it, have not decided yet.

After everything was connected, I hit power to it…no light! I hit the button with my foot..and the light came on!

*2tons of fun* · 09-19-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdave2

]

i guess we have 2 completely different ideas of what is accpetable and what isnt.

mtdave2 · 09-19-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

i guess we have 2 completely different ideas of what is accpetable and what isnt.

this is not the finshed shot.. its not mounted yet. yes, there needs to be some cleaning up of some wires, if that is what you are talking about.

jojo · 09-20-2009, 12:49 AM

So Dave, the gear vendor unit is an add on OD to the th350?
For some reason, I thought it was a complete tranny.

It makes sense that you might have a birds nest down there until you know it's all working. No point in cleaning and bundling wires if there's still a chance of having to take it all out again.

Too bad about having to wait until monday. You'll never get into OD at 20mpg

72timemachine · 09-19-2009, 09:57 PM

You have avery nice truck there. What made you go with a gv instead of a 700r4?

I took one out of an 88 camaro at the bone yard and all I had to do was move the trans member forward a bit, cut a little off the drive shaft, then adjust the tv cable to get the right shift points.

I love it, better mileage and lees stress on my tired little 350.

09-18-2009, 02:44 PM	#1
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	gear vendors install.....a real life one. ok, i called them up and asked a few questions. they were friendly and knowledgeable, i ordered the unit. i asked when i could expect the unit, to told me Wednesday, and would make sure the unit got out the next day. watching the tracking on ups i noticed it showed arrived in LA...on Tuesday i got an automated call to expect the package tomorrow, and someone had to be there to then nothing. so i called. its lost but may be on the truck.. it was...on Wednesday day they tried to deliver, but none home to sign for it. i called to have it taken off the truck. it wasn’t, and was out for delivery again on Thursday...fighting with ups, i finally did get the unit.. Showed up in one box... I started looking at the stuff, and the unit itself looks cool, and everything seems to be well make…except the adapter. you can see the machining flaw here. I doesn’t seam to cause a problem, the gasket should take care of it should take care of it __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-18-2009, 02:51 PM	#2
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. So first step, get the truck off the ground, and one real wheel so I can turn the drive line. Some before photos, I was concerned about the clearance of the xover pipe. Remove the speedometer cable from the trany Then remove the original tail shaft , and the drive line (a side not, remove the u-joint at the rear and pull the drive line out as one unit, I should have known this, but…you need to take the WHOLE drive line to the drive shaft shop so they can balance the WHOLE drive line….first stupid mistake I made) . __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-18-2009, 02:59 PM	#3
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Remove the speedometer cable from the trany Then remove the original tail shaft , and the drive line (a side not, remove the u-joint at the rear and pull the drive line out as one unit, I should have known this, but…you need to take the WHOLE drive line to the drive shaft shop so they can balance the WHOLE drive line….first stupid mistake I made) . Next, use the new gasket (a large rubber one found in a plastic bag, more on this on later) then mount the adapter on your trany. They say, using the original bolts.. problem is thickness, the bolts will bottom out before everything is tight. I had 2 shorter ones, and had to use washers for the other two.. Next is put in the coupler. You have to put it in, be sure its seated, then use a straight edge to measure the endplay… I had to use ALL the spacers they gave me to get the proper measure ment..0.00 to 0.015 inch. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-18-2009, 03:03 PM	#4
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Now put the gasket on the GV unit and slide on.. For me, I did have a clearance problem with the xover..dam it, missed it by ½! A friend had my torch, so I did what any red blooded guy would do…beat with a hammer.. ill have the x over fixed later… Then secure with 8 nuts and washers… Now I am waiting on the drive shaft….. update progress tomorrow. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban Last edited by mtdave2; 09-19-2009 at 11:33 PM.

09-19-2009, 08:52 PM	#5
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. "you dont have time to be sitting around waiting for parts" then you are complaining about a flaw that has no bearing on the sealing ability or the structure of the component........ i wouldnt sweat it. my shop sells and installs gv so we get our hands on a lot of them, i have never seen one that had a fubar on it like that or at all.

09-19-2009, 09:12 PM	#6
jojo printing is my trade Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 349	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. I wouldn't have waited either. If it were me, I'd want to see it installed asap. __________________ Jojo's '70 stepside build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344184

09-18-2009, 03:25 PM	#8
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Good luck, man! Looks good so far! Someone on here has a tag line that reads, "Beat it to fit, paint it to match!"... almost applies to your exhaust.

09-18-2009, 05:04 PM	#9
Shaky Six in a row makes it go... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vacationland: Maine Posts: 1,346	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Watching with great interest as I'm planning on getting one. For the price of the unit, I think I would've called GV up and asked for a new adapter. __________________ 67 C20 long step resto: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342086 66 C10 long step build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3814790 CT to Alaska in a 67 C10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399224 “The height of sophistication is simplicity." - Clare Boothe Luce

09-18-2009, 06:04 PM	#12
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Great Information! Keep it coming!!!

09-18-2009, 06:39 PM	#13
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Looking good. I'd be worried about that H-pipe cooking the GV. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

09-18-2009, 07:13 PM	#14
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Yeah, I would have that H-pipe moved or removed. Will add heat to the fluid and other GV components.

09-19-2009, 12:27 AM	#15
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. i am going to have the xover fixed..and GV will be hearing about all the issues, i have several. i dont have time to send and wait for parts.. for the cost of the unit, everything, inlucding the instructions, should be perfect. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-19-2009, 12:39 AM	#16
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. You put this behind a th350 right ? ALSO YOU COULD PROBABLY GET AWAY WITH A 1 PIECE DRIVE SHAFT NOW. __________________ I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16 Last edited by BCOWANWHEELS; 09-19-2009 at 12:40 AM.

09-19-2009, 12:50 PM	#18
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Watching... __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

09-19-2009, 08:42 PM	#19
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Yeah I guess you can have your torch back. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!



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09-19-2009, 09:35 PM	#20
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Next…put the drive shaft of, everything fit well, I measured correctly! Then bolted up the carrier bearing. The speedo unit went it nicely, just put on the O ring, slide in the gear. lube, and put in the hole, tighten on with a hole down clap. Screw on the speedo cable extender, connect the other end to the speedo pickup that GV provides. Connect original speedo cable end to the other side of it, secure it to the the frame..and its done. For some reason, gear vendors has changed their mind several times on what oil to put in the unit. In some of their instructions, they say use dextral II, then in other places it says a gear oil… then on the front of the book, they have a sticker saying us gm manual trans lubricant p/n 12346190. not sure why, but again, I would expect for $3k, they would have top notch instruction book, that are up to date…more on that at the end of this… I got the stuff they last recommend, the gm stuff and put it in.. I was glad to see it was in an easy spot to fill. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-19-2009, 09:42 PM	#21
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. Electronics. I got all the parts out, and read the instruction, plugged in everything where they said to. I am very impressed, its straight forward, well labeled and almost moron proof (I messed it up lmao) See the photo.. First step, I found the place that I wanted the control box. I ended up just using the Velcro GV provided. I like the location, its out of sight, but if I want to see it just lean left or right an few inches. Also I don’t have to look at the light when its on.. perfect! After I did that next was to find a spot to mount control box. Turned out the best place was right behind the other box! This on I had to drill 2 small holes…grrr I hate holes.. but it fit well, and its out of sight. the photo is before i put the screw in and leveled it out. Next, run the 2 wire sets through the fire wall, one goes the speedo sensor, the other goes to solenoid on the gv unit. Nice easy straight forward.. no way to screw this up, the wires have colored band too keep them straight. How to mess up? Running the wires through the fire wall, I got the first one no prob, but the second one, the pre-attached connectors were too fat to get it though, so without thinking I just grabbed the snippers and cut them off.. no big deal, I have a pile of connectors.. The problem? They use phone jack like connectors at the control box,, with 3 wires per cable…$@% ! I took the old connector, all 3 wires seems to be connected to each other so I stripped them and spun then together, attached the connector and crimped it.. I hope im not screwing something up… I connected the to the speedo wires, And the solenoid, zipped the wires up, and that part was done. I found a great easy ground, connected it. Found a keyed power line and tapped into it. Only thing left is the foot switch. I choose a location that was at bit higher and a bit to the right of the high beam switch and made two more predrilled holes #$( and a 2 self tapping screws. Look and works good. Problem. what to do with the floor mat. I don’t want to cut a hole in it..i am afraid it would eventual rip. So I just pulled the mat over it for now. I can hit the switch, and it works fine.. i may just leave it, have not decided yet. After everything was connected, I hit power to it…no light! I hit the button with my foot..and the light came on! __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban Last edited by mtdave2; 09-19-2009 at 10:09 PM.

09-20-2009, 12:49 AM	#24
jojo printing is my trade Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 349	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. So Dave, the gear vendor unit is an add on OD to the th350? For some reason, I thought it was a complete tranny. It makes sense that you might have a birds nest down there until you know it's all working. No point in cleaning and bundling wires if there's still a chance of having to take it all out again. Too bad about having to wait until monday. You'll never get into OD at 20mpg __________________ Jojo's '70 stepside build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344184

09-19-2009, 09:57 PM	#25
72timemachine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles ca Posts: 220	Re: gear vendors install.....a real life one. You have avery nice truck there. What made you go with a gv instead of a 700r4? I took one out of an 88 camaro at the bone yard and all I had to do was move the trans member forward a bit, cut a little off the drive shaft, then adjust the tv cable to get the right shift points. I love it, better mileage and lees stress on my tired little 350.

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