The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Overdrive rocks!

I finally finished installing my new Gear Vendors O.D. and this thing is too cool! I went on a couple of test drives last night and this morning. 2nd over isn't really needed, but 3rd over is AWESOME. It's perfect for 30 - 45 mph which is where 3rd would be too wound out and 4th wasn't quite enough. Going up the hills on the main arterials in 3rd over is now too much fun while staying in a good power band. I can actually accelerate just as if I were on a level surface. And then there is 4th over. Got it on the highway, went to left lane and really got it moving. Today is the 1st time my truck has ever gone 80mph. My previous top speed was 65-70 and at that speed, the truck was pretty loud. It felt about right at 55-60. Now, 65-70 is nice and smooth and 80 is a bit loud, but the truck does just fine there. I'm still driving on split rims with tubes and tires as I'm waiting (since December) for my rebuilt wheels from Stockton. Should be an even better ride once I get the radials on. Anyway, I'm just so excited that I thought I would share my experience.

You better keep on them at Stockton about your wheels. I would stop by every week or so and check up on them, that way you can see for your self how they are progressing. I am 3,000 miles away and was fed a bunch of bull over the phone when I would call about the progress on my wheels.

It took me about 6 months to get what they said would only take 2 months to get. And then they were wrong... I don't like to talk bad about anyone, but you won't see me going back there again.

Well actually I did, I was doing my around the country trip in my 52 and stopped by to check the place out, they seemed like really nice people in person. But I won't give them my money again.
Grigg

Grigg, I'm currently experiencing the same thing with them. The sad thing is that I was previously warned by yet someone else who I should have listened to. And I'm about 1,500 miles away so there will be no stopping by. What they say they will do and when is always different than the facts. To make it worse, they like to keep you on hold for 10 minutes when you ask a simple question which is usually, "When am I going to get my F#@*!#& wheels". Not really that way, but that is what I'm thinking everytime I have to call. There have already been MULTIPLE problems and miscommunication within their company concerning my wheels. But enough about them, did I say how much I like my Overdrive? Gear Vendors put me thru a little crap by giving me attitude when their parts didn't fit the way they were supposed to. They assumed I just didn't know what I was doing. In the end though, they made good and this unit really is high quality. Even better, Drivelines Northwest, here in Seattle that did my driveline turned it around in 1 day. They cleaned it, shortened it, balanced it, painted it, and intalled new u-joints and a new carrier bearing and called me the next day to come get it. I would highly recommend them.

bigmacdaddy, I am assuming you put the OD unit on an SM420 correct. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the Gear Vendors OD unit? My 54 GMC has a Chevy 261, SM420, 16" tires and 3.90:1 rear-end ratio and I only drove it ~ 1 mile w/o plates the day I picked it up. The engine seemed to be really winding out at 55 MPH. I am doing a frame up restoration on it now and I have rebuilt the engine, tranny, drive shafts, and I am currently rebuilding the rear-end. I am hoping to change my gears to 3.38:1 if they ever come off perpetual back order. :mad: If the gears never materialize I might just stick with the 3.90 gears and look into the Gear Vendors OD or I will have to do rear-end swap. Thanks.

Jim

Cujo8 - Yes, it is an sm420 and the unit is not cheap. 3k, and that doesn't include having the driveline shortened which is another $200.
I'm driving it to Portland next Saturday to pick up my cleaned 261 block that I will be building this year and into next. I'll report the performance and mileage when I get back. After installing this O.D., I'm not sure I really need the 261, but I'm getting it anyway It should help on the hills though, especially since it will be moderately warmed up BTW, I'm a big fan of this O.D. as opposed to higher gears or a 5 speed because it lets your truck be the truck it was meant to be in the 1st place, but with optional improvement at your fingertips (or thumb).

Here are pics of tranny and O.D. http://community.webshots.com/album/548504810ONOfEg

I'm sitting in my living room with my jaw on the ground. This is the first I've heard Stockton Wheel was so slow. I just sent them my wheels last week. Frank, I have no idea who that is, said to me, when I finally made the descision to send them my wheels, "Great I'll call you as soon as I get them"

What you're telling me is to not wait for Frank to call! I am going to have to call them every week!

Mor-drop was the same way. Every time I called to check on my axle, it was like it was the very first time they had ever heard my name. I ended up calling them everyday for about four days when they finally told me they were in the mail. Funny it took 3 weeks for my axle to actually get into my hands.

I'm in for the same?

I would bet that your in for the long haul. Let us know. I hope you have better luck than us! By the way Bill, your motor looks awesome!

Cujo8-

If you've got it apart and are thinking about doing something with the tranny- I highly suggest a t-5 or something along those lines that'll work for your application- ie nv4500 if you've got a bigger truck. The overdrive and lower ratios in 1-4 are very nice, and the swap is incredibly easy.

bigmacdaddy,

Cool handle by the way! I really need a more fitting forum name .

Thanks on the engine. I went looking on the web (I know too late) and found a couple other forums that knocked the slowness of Stockton Wheels, but no one complained very loud about quality. I will keep the forum informed.

NM51, Actually I just finish rebuilding my SM420, so I am planning on running it to check out my handy work. How much are people getting for used T5? Thanks.

Jim

Hey Bill, I have a 42 lb 2 1/2 year old boy named Mac. Hence the new handle.
I spoke with Stockton today and they said my wheels would ship on Wednesday. I won't hold my breath. 2 weeks ago they told they would ship last Wednesday. Yet I hope. I'll let you know.

I just got back from Portland today. The truck drove smooth (as long as the highway was smooth) and the transmission and the overdrive are shifting nicely. My hat is off the the assembly man. I owe a ton of thanks to my neighbor and most excellent mechanic, Gary.
I drove there last night through a series and thundershowers and wind storms. That wasn't too fun. Especially since my wipers were working poorly. Beautiful drive back today though. Averaged 65 on the way there and between 70 and 75 on the way back. 15mpg. Before the overdrive, I would get 14mpg at 55-60mph. I put 350 miles on it, so my current range at that speed is 315 miles(21 gallon tank). I'm hopeful that my radials will allow me to do the same trip with out having to stop for gas. If only Stockton would send my wheels. I spoke to them on Wednesday, the day they were supposed to ship, and was told they would ship Friday. Just maybe they are on their way. But I still wouldn't bet on it.

Congrats on the new OD! Glad to hear everything turned out the way you planned. I love it when that happens.

bigmacdaddy,

I just talked to Rob at Stockton wheel. They have my wheels and said the turn around is typically 30 - 45 days. I'm going to give them a few weeks before I call and ask about progress.

Any word on your wheels yet?