P30 Chassis

[shaneperch]

I would like to know. can you get high geared rear ends for the P30 chassis? someday I would like to get a higher geared ring and pinion to get the rpms down a little. anyone ever done that?

[shaneperch]

Yeah I never thought of adding my rig info. I will try to do that. it is a Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 built in 1982. I also noticed that the windshield wipers are in fact hydraulic. I would like to get rid of that stupid set up and go with electric. I have air wipers in my buses and hate them. I want regular no nonsense electrical wipers. is that going to be a real tooth clenching frustration loaded job or is it fairly easy. Also while talking about this chassis I do have one problem, the power steering whines like crazy after about 20 miles of driving. how can Ifix that issue? It had power steering. but it whines.

[sjholt]

I only got 1 mpg increase from 8.5 at 60 mph to 9.5 at 65 mph.
That was on a 32' chassis at 6.5 tons.
Up and down big hills is where the Gear Vendor shows its stuff.
I blew up the GV at about 100k miles on it. They changes from ATF to special Chevy manual trans lube(heavier weight but less than 75/90 gear oil) during that time I had the GV. If I had known that- It may have lasted longer.
GV has/had(?) a policy of exchanging a broken GV for a new one for $650.
I took the the one I blew up and I mean- blown up in pieces that the cases couldn't even be used and they exchanged it for a new one for $650...
I did use that GV really hard.

[tropical36]

shaneperch wrote:
I would like to know. can you get high geared rear ends for the P30 chassis? someday I would like to get a higher geared ring and pinion to get the rpms down a little. anyone ever done that?

That's the last thing, I would ever do as it will affect more than top gear. Maybe with an overdrive transmission if you don't have one now.
You might consider adding your rig in your signature, so that your questions can be answered better.

[Daveinet]

I know where you can find 10+ mpg for cheap. There is a '78 Revcon in Colorado for sale for super cheap. It needs brakes, tie rods and front suspension wear parts replaced. If driven at 55 mph, it should give a very solid 10 mpg, assuming the engine is in decent shape. Its got the Olds 403 in it, so the mileage wasn't bad with those. I have no idea the condition of the interior, but if its typical Revcon, the upholstery will be worn, but the cabinets will be like new.

[shaneperch]

I think the mileage I get on my Flxible versus the HR is comparable to the cost of diesel versus gas. So If I can get this HR up to 10mpg at 60 mph I would be grateful for that. anything in the single digits suck. I think my RTS was hitting around 9-10 on the flat. unladed weight on that is at 30,000 So if you start adding furniture generator tanks and all may be back where I am with the HR. frustrating. God I hope these fuel prices crash.

[Daveinet]

shaneperch wrote:

sjholt wrote:
You might look around for a used Gear Vendor overdrive unit. It worked nicely in the P30 I had..New ones run $2700.
They bolt up to the turbo 400 trans, then all you have to do is shorten the drive shaft- about $120.

How much mileage gain did you see using that overdrive?

And that is the exact question I have, based on my experience with TC slip.

[shaneperch]

Sorry for the double post. this internet connection went out and didn't see the first one . Sorry.

[shaneperch]

What was the mileage increase that you saw with the overdrive?

[shaneperch]

sjholt wrote:
You might look around for a used Gear Vendor overdrive unit. It worked nicely in the P30 I had..New ones run $2700.
They bolt up to the turbo 400 trans, then all you have to do is shorten the drive shaft- about $120.

How much mileage gain did you see using that overdrive?

[shaneperch]

I called Colaw and they don't have one of them and if they did it would be almost as much as a new one. I am thinking that getting a used older motorhome would be cheaper than dealing with these salvage yards they are so high. I mean really. He wanted 2 grand for one if they get one in. I would love to find a split rear end for this chassis. I will keep thinking as to what to do. I only need to go 600 miles and it will be parked for a long time. So it isn't a rush, but if I want to drive it places either hope that the prices of fuel crash or I figure something out.

[sjholt]

You might look around for a used Gear Vendor overdrive unit. It worked nicely in the P30 I had..New ones run $2700.
They bolt up to the turbo 400 trans, then all you have to do is shorten the drive shaft- about $120.

[shaneperch]

I need to find a way to get as close to 10mpg as possible. How much would a gear venders overdrive unit cost in an RV salvage yard?

[Sierra_Valley_M]

Check out Gear Vendors online

[Stim]

Ring and pinion, No. You will need the low ratio at some point.
That leaves you two options, newer model transmission with overdrive and aftermarket electrical control or a overdrive auxilliary transmission like a "GearVender".
Both options will be expensive even doing it yourself!