I was born in 1951 and I am familiar with the Borg-Warner Overdrive that some 3 speed manual transmission cars were equipped with. My father's 1966 Rambler American was a 3 speed column shift with overdrive. However this is the first time that I have heard about the Gear Vendor Overdrive that could be used on older cars that had a 3 speed automatic transmission. On these older cars an overdrive made for a more versatile transmission.
As I understand it, the gear vendors is a bit of a descendent of the Borg Warner overdrives. Both are add on units, that are electronically engaged and governed by road speed- they share a lot in common. *Someone correct me if I am wrong here* but I think that the BW was only offered with manual transmissions and that rather than being mounted behind the tail shaft(via a special tail-shaft housing) like the gear vendors is, that it’s mounted directly behind the transmission case with the tail shaft then mounted behind the BW so it’s a little more integrated into the trans than a GV unit.
Really interesting gear splitting video. I suppose with 3.23 gears in your diff your rpm's would hover around 2000 with significant mpg savings. thank you again for posting.
Absolutely, I’m glad you enjoyed it! The gear splitting really is what drew me to the Gear Vendors over other overdrive solutions. Even with the 3.5 gears that the Torino has, 55-60 mph is just above 2000 rpm’s where as with no overdrive, it was turning more like 2700-2900 rpm’s for the same speed.
I absolutely love my Gear Vendor OD. I have a 69 Torino GT, 408, 8-71 Hampton Blower, C6, w/3.89 gears. It made all the difference in the world. Had to modify the trans tunnel but it was worth it.
Matt-thank you for posting a very informative video on this installation. Currently installing one in my 55 Chevy sedan-I am trying to reach you to see if you have a part number for the L bracket you bought from Amazon. It is the perfect fit, but I have searched forever and cannot locate it. Thanks Sam
Its got 4v closed chamber heads and even with fairly mild cam(.505 ford grind), it runs strong. I like the gear vendors a lot, it made the car a lot more versatile and the gear-splitting adds some performance bands that it didn't have before. I'm pretty sure GV makes a kit for the 4-speed trans. Installing this into a Torino is not too bad of a job either.
Is it possible to just leave it on when in manual mode ? So lets say, you come to a standstill and just drive off with it still ingaged. Pretty much making your car feel as if it has a set of taller gears in te rearend ?
Thank you! Haha yes, I plan to fix it- the sending unit is the wrong temp range so the gauge reads a little cooler than the motor actually is(confirmed with a mechanical gauge). I’ve left it this long because while slightly incorrect, it’s always been consistent.
i CUT APART A 68 TORINO 428 CJ 4 SPD 391 FOR PARTS FOR 68 MUSTANG IN HIND SITE SHOULD HAVE WENT THE OTHER WAY CAR ONLY HAD 54000 ON SPEEDO 2yrs later was at a Ford lot in town which had a 70 torino 429 boss 4 speed with the single tail light hide headlights rear louvers car had 30 000 on speedo they were asking 3100
Gear vendors overdrive is a great piece of engineering! It has transformed the highway drive ability to my '68 Impala.😆
It really is a game changer for an old car
I was born in 1951 and I am familiar with the Borg-Warner Overdrive that some 3 speed manual transmission cars were equipped with. My father's 1966 Rambler American was a 3 speed column shift with overdrive. However this is the first time that I have heard about the Gear Vendor Overdrive that could be used on older cars that had a 3 speed automatic transmission. On these older cars an overdrive made for a more versatile transmission.
As I understand it, the gear vendors is a bit of a descendent of the Borg Warner overdrives. Both are add on units, that are electronically engaged and governed by road speed- they share a lot in common.
*Someone correct me if I am wrong here* but I think that the BW was only offered with manual transmissions and that rather than being mounted behind the tail shaft(via a special tail-shaft housing) like the gear vendors is, that it’s mounted directly behind the transmission case with the tail shaft then mounted behind the BW so it’s a little more integrated into the trans than a GV unit.
Really interesting gear splitting video. I suppose with 3.23 gears in your diff your rpm's would hover around 2000 with significant mpg savings. thank you again for posting.
Absolutely, I’m glad you enjoyed it! The gear splitting really is what drew me to the Gear Vendors over other overdrive solutions. Even with the 3.5 gears that the Torino has, 55-60 mph is just above 2000 rpm’s where as with no overdrive, it was turning more like 2700-2900 rpm’s for the same speed.
Nice car. Love the color
Me too!!
I absolutely love my Gear Vendor OD. I have a 69 Torino GT, 408, 8-71 Hampton Blower, C6, w/3.89 gears. It made all the difference in the world. Had to modify the trans tunnel but it was worth it.
That sounds like an awesome car. The gear vendors is such a great addition!!
Is your 408 Windsor based or Cleveland based?
Wow very cool video and car!
😎
Matt-thank you for posting a very informative video on this installation. Currently installing one in my 55 Chevy sedan-I am trying to reach you to see if you have a part number for the L bracket you bought from Amazon. It is the perfect fit, but I have searched forever and cannot locate it. Thanks Sam
Glad you enjoyed it!! I believe that I had put the Amazon links into the description of the installation part two video
How do you like it? Does your 351c Get after it any or is it tame? 2v or 4v? I’d love to add Gv to my 4 speed. But no idea how rough it’d be to do it.
Its got 4v closed chamber heads and even with fairly mild cam(.505 ford grind), it runs strong. I like the gear vendors a lot, it made the car a lot more versatile and the gear-splitting adds some performance bands that it didn't have before. I'm pretty sure GV makes a kit for the 4-speed trans. Installing this into a Torino is not too bad of a job either.
Nice video!How much mpg did you pickup with the GV?thanks.
Around 3-4 mpg’s pick-up. I still need to test it, but i think that it will push 20 mpgs on the highway now
I'm curious about this too
Is 2nd w/od taller than 3rd w/o od?
No, 3rd with OD turned off is still a little taller than 2nd gear with the OD turned on.
Is it possible to just leave it on when in manual mode ? So lets say, you come to a standstill and just drive off with it still ingaged. Pretty much making your car feel as if it has a set of taller gears in te rearend ?
No, even in manual mode the gear vendors will disengage the overdrive gearset when you drop below 20 mph.
If you could find one of those 2 speed rear ends you would like it even more,
A 2-speed rear end would turn this torino into a 12 speed!
Cool car and video. Are you going to fix the coolant temp gauge?
Thank you! Haha yes, I plan to fix it- the sending unit is the wrong temp range so the gauge reads a little cooler than the motor actually is(confirmed with a mechanical gauge). I’ve left it this long because while slightly incorrect, it’s always been consistent.
Better get right on that. Oh there is some dirt on the frame too. You should get right on that too.
In due time lol
i CUT APART A 68 TORINO 428 CJ 4 SPD 391 FOR PARTS FOR 68 MUSTANG IN HIND SITE SHOULD HAVE WENT THE OTHER WAY CAR ONLY HAD 54000 ON SPEEDO 2yrs later was at a Ford lot in town which had a 70 torino 429 boss 4 speed with the single tail light hide headlights rear louvers car had 30 000 on speedo they were asking 3100
Probably not picking up either car for 3100 dollars in 2023. Hindsight is 20/20 man... bummer
Oops 😬