Installed the RANGER GEAR SPLITTER and have about 300 miles on the unit now.

it is Nice to run down the freeway @ 1800-1900 rpms now with my 3.90 gear ratio in the back. Engine is quieter now...Fuel economey is up about 2 mpg if i drive the same speed as before..55mph.
The install was easy no problems. I Made a crossmember as I do not like the way others are modifying the stock unit. I wanted the factory rubber trans mount so I made a cross member that was lower than the factory one so my driveshaft angle stayed the same as factory and still used the rubber mount.
The unit is great...................

One bad thing....NOISE....whines when in gear over 1700 rpms
rattles like a desiel at idle....

This is my daily driver so the noise is unwanted.
I used Dyna-mat under the carpet on the floor..trans tunnel..doors..and behind the cab..under the headliner....I am going to try some dyna-mat Under the trans tunnel to help with the noise

If you dont like Noise this is NOT the swap for you.

It is nice if you have a low geared truck and drive the freeway..IF you can handle the noise.
Having 6 usable gears on the road is great if your climing hills
( gear splitting the granny is of no use...lol )


I spoke with Advance adapters and was told the are setting up the gears with a min of .015 backlash ?? they claim reason for the noise....seems loose to me but they have to warranty the units and I am sure they know what they are doing

The customer serive is GREAT..some of the best tech help i have ever had

1973 ford F100 shortbed Ranger 2wd 3.90 detroit locker T18 trans
390 fe 2bbl ....comp cams 255EDH..flowtech headers 2.5" exhaust with dynomax super turbos..pertronix ign....soon the be fuel injected

Now 18-19 mpg @55 on the freeway....No traffic....YES your welcome to come for a ride
No flames from unbelievers
Lonnie

 

Thank you for the write up and info...I have looked at the Ranger unit a few times thinking it would be a nice litte add on for my 74 4x4 as for the noise i drive a 94 diesel so i am use to it the mileage wont be the same on my truck for obvious reasons but still gives me some awesome info and helps me make up my mind more.

 

Thanks for the review. I know a lot of us are thinking of ways to keep our daily drivers on the road with gas going up daily.

 

Exactly why I did the install. And just in time..gas is 4 bucks a gallon and going up.
I want the low speed control when i go fishing off road...but a usable freeway truck

Lonnie

 

Thanks for posting the honest assessment.

 

I think if I ever decide to change I will build a 4R70W and then sell the Ranger for enough to buy the adapter plate to use the 4R70W-FE engine
Lonnie

 

Then you'll miss grinding the gears

How often do you split the gears? Do you mainly just drive direct and then just grab overdrive in 4th?

 

I mostly use the Gear splitter just for Overdrive
With 3.90 gear in the back there is Plenty of Low end..and with the Longer runners of the 2bbl intake the Torque at usable RPM's (700-2000) is much better than with a aluminum 4bbl intake..I know everyone wants the Power above 2500 RPM's that you get with a 4bbl intake...for me it is Of no concern
Hard to beat the 2bbl intake for low speed duties and fuel economy
Once the engine is fuel injected I think it will be a 390 like no other around here
Lonnie

 

if the gear splitter goes in front of the transmission, how well do the shifters work with the tranney moved back? is there room in front of the seat for the shifter to fit? Did you have to modify the shifter or the clutch linkage? I want to do this on a 79 f-150 4x4 when I put in my 4 cylinder cummins diesel.

 

The splitter shifter will be in front of and to the left of your transmission shifter
Please make sure you want one before purchasing one.

I had NO idea that the NOISE would be so BAD....the Ranger is VERY Loud
Make sure this is not for a every day driver on the freeway
Lonnie1952

 

What type of lube does it use? Would a heavy gear oil mellow it out some? Maybe some of that Red line with shock proof?

 

It uses regular gear lube and No you cannot mellow the sound.
too bad another company does not copy it and properly build the gears so they are quite. In my opinion advance adapters is just being lazy.
It is not hard to build a gear/gear mesh that is quite.
the Ranger uses the same gears the old T98 uses acording to Advance adapters
so if Warner gear could build thier transmission to be quite so could Advance adapters....When i questioned them thier answerr was the build the gear mesh on the Loose side so it will last forever...what a load of crap.
the T98 lasted FOREVER...Advance Adapters just uses poor assembly or machining practices.
yes it is reliable
Yes it does save on fuel
Yes after one year of using it I HATE the noise

Advance adapters has a Good Product..but they should IMPROVE on the noise

Maybe soon someone will copy them and build them in china for Half the price and they will be Quite...then Advance adapters will cry foul

 

You would think that for the price they charge it would be made better. Kinda like a Chevy!!!!!

 

How noisy is noisy? Are we talking detroit diesel or chainsaw in a basement? Is it ear piercing or move of a drowning sound?

 

i have the gearvenders brand over drives in 2 of my trucks 79 f250 reg cab 502/c6/354gears and my 79 f350 s/c 460/c6/373s i have no noise from either of them at any speed the reg cab has 550 hp and the s/c pulls a 10 ft camper/19ft boat combo no problems after 3 years