c6 gearvenders od

[fryedaddy]

do you have to shorten your driveshaft to install gear vender in 66 comet c6.or does it replace the tail shaft[same length]

[TJ]

In my case (NP435 tranny), gear vendors supplied an adaptor tail housing that replaced the original tail housing.  This is how gear vendors can make one gear box that works with so many trannies.  They also supply an adaptor that connects the tranny output shaft to the gear vender input shaft.  Shims are supplied to get the spacing correct. I then had to subtract about 18 inches from my driveshaft.  My truck had a factory two piece shaft and now it has a custom made one piece. 

The whole shebang went together as slick as snot.  Works great.

[cammerfe]

Even if you use the 'short' version of the GV---the one that uses an adaptor so that the GV unit is a replacement for the normal tailshaft /housing, the length is not likely to be exactly the same. I had a new driveshaft made for my '63 Effie/ICB.

You should also take into account that the 'short' version of the GV entails the use of a new stub output shaft. In order to install it in a C6 it is necessary to completely disassemble the C6 in order to put the stub shaft in place. Other than the 'doughnut', the output is the first thing to go into an otherwise empty C6 case.

{The DS was fairly grody and rusty anyway. A new 'shaft and a coat of paint on the rear axle and you'll be just like new.

KS

[Drew Pojedinec]

18 inches shorter sounds right.  I *think* my 63.5 driveshaft was 45.5 inches long after GV install.
Good excuse to go for the 4inch aluminum driveshaft

[67428GT500]

I have a hard time justifying a GV unit when I can change to a TKO for 3376.00. 

[66FAIRLANE]

Had to shorten mine. Heres my install if it helps.

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=169.0

[67428GT500]

Nice work but a pain in the posterior.

[Drew Pojedinec]

If you think installing a GV and buying a new driveshaft is a pain, converting from a c6 to a manual transmission may be eye opening for you :p
I've done it a few times, and it is a lot of work.

[e philpott]

Amen Drew !!

[Falcon67]

I have a hard time justifying a GV unit when I can change to a TKO for 3376.00.

Price on the GV site shows $3495 for the C6.  Some random TKO 600 trans and "Ford install kit" at Summit shows $3468.99 and no bell housing, clutch, etc, etc, etc.

To answer the OP - If I was dropping the $$$$ for the GV unit, I'd have a new driveshaft built for it - just because.  By the time you updated the old unit you'd be over half way to a fresh one and could save the old one in case you went back to stock later.

[fryedaddy]

I have a hard time justifying a GV unit when I can change to a TKO for 3376.00.

it depends on if you want to do the gv install in a few hours or if you want to tackle a full trans swap.i dont mind shortening my ds and my c6 has been bullet proof so i hate to give up on it.

[gt350hr]

   The GV I put in my '78 F350 car hauler was a non slip yoke version ( three drive shafts , long wheel base) and I did 17.5 shorter than my original. I bought a complete new shaft , keeping the old one and the extension housing boxed up "just in case" of an on the road failure of the GV unit. Thousands of trouble free miles so far.

[Drew Pojedinec]

I was actually considering adding a GV to my daily driver F100, if nothing else it'd be nice to do away with the two piece driveshaft.

[67428GT500]

I have a hard time justifying a GV unit when I can change to a TKO for 3376.00.

Price on the GV site shows $3495 for the C6.  Some random TKO 600 trans and "Ford install kit" at Summit shows $3468.99 and no bell housing, clutch, etc, etc, etc.

To answer the OP - If I was dropping the $$$$ for the GV unit, I'd have a new driveshaft built for it - just because.  By the time you updated the old unit you'd be over half way to a fresh one and could save the old one in case you went back to stock later.

You are throwing out crap here. I went through Modern Driveline. You don't need a bellhousing. I am having the new Centerforce re-hubbed being there is 390 miles on it and it requires NO modification to fit and sits in the stock location, bolts onto the OE bell housing and linkage.  There is no ect. It comes with everything you need and only a couple hours labor to change back to stock.
I also wind up with a final drive of .064.  Nice cruising gear.  It's also nice they recognize those of us who served this nation with a 10% discount.
By the way, Summit does as well. 
Now I agree with you that I wouldn't butcher my Shelby's original driveshaft for a conversion. There

[TimeWarpF100]

do you have to shorten your driveshaft to install gear vender in 66 comet c6.or does it replace the tail shaft[same length]

I am in middle of doing my 3rd GV install now.  Is your car currently a Automatic? If so no doubt a bunch easier and far less costly to go with the GV unit. They can be purchased for well under 3000.00 new from GV it comes with EVERYTHING needed inc the GV specific Yoke.

The tailshaft is replaced with the GV adapter but you still need to add length of the GV unit. Very very easy to install and setup. Give them your tire size and axle ratio and the speedo will be exact.

I have a new unit here in unopened box if you need any measurements.

There are a few diff length tailshafts on the C-6 most common is the 14" version

[TimeWarpF100]

I have a hard time justifying a GV unit when I can change to a TKO for 3376.00.

I cannot justify spending 1500+ more $ and a whole bunch of extra time switching to a TKO vs what he has now.

[67428GT500]

It's not 2,000.00 for a GV for a Top Loader.  It Is 3,235.00. I would have been all in at 2K as long as I didn't have to modify the floor board or drill holes or cut wiring harnesses.
                                                                                     -Keith

[cjshaker]

It comes with everything you need and only a couple hours labor to change back to stock.

LOL! We'll see how that works out for you.

[Falcon67]

You are throwing out crap here. I went through Modern Driveline. You don't need a bellhousing. I am having the new Centerforce re-hubbed being there is 390 miles on it and it requires NO modification to fit and sits in the stock location, bolts onto the OE bell housing and linkage.  There is no ect. It comes with everything you need and only a couple hours labor to change back to stock.
I also wind up with a final drive of .064.  Nice cruising gear.  It's also nice they recognize those of us who served this nation with a 10% discount.
By the way, Summit does as well. 
Now I agree with you that I wouldn't butcher my Shelby's original driveshaft for a conversion. There

I posted what I did based on your incomplete description of what you had and where you were going.  If you have the balance of the equipment, then of course it's a different cost perspective.  Only providing reference info without benefit of the back story.  Agree - your discount is more than well earned.

[TimeWarpF100]

It's not 2,000.00 for a GV for a Top Loader.  It Is 3,235.00. I would have been all in at 2K as long as I didn't have to modify the floor board or drill holes or cut wiring harnesses.
                                                                                     -Keith

https://www.gearvendors.com/product/automatic-3-speed-c-6-14-tailhousing/

2795.00 with free shipping. Its complete kit

Add 1500 by the time it's installed plus a TON more of labor.  He has a automatic now by the time you add pedals, bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, shifter and all other needed it would be very difficult to do for less than 1500.00. A few hours labor vs many days or weeks to get it done.

[fryedaddy]

yes it has a good c6 already in it.i wanted to keep it simple as possible.i dont want to start all over from scratch.good info,thanks guys

[TimeWarpF100]

yes it has a good c6 already in it.i wanted to keep it simple as possible.i dont want to start all over from scratch.good info,thanks guys

You will love the GV if you go that route. Ease of install too

[67428GT500]

I looked at GV and was wondering about the hone o drive as well. The GV site shows 3200.00. I'm not going to hammer or cut on a real GT500.  Modern does it as a kit.  Trans with shift lever, cross member, adapters for back up lights and speedometer cable and rear yoke. They offer it as plug and play. I can remove, replace and adjust a T&C in less than 45 minutes on the floor.  I wasn't referring to anyone else changing to a manual.

[gt350hr]

  The Hone OD is more bulky than a GV and noisier. I used to be a dealer for them 45+ years ago. 
   Randy

[AlanCasida]

Over the years I have purchased three GV units used, off of Ebay. I paid an average of $1000.00. They still pop up now and then and they were pretty popular in RVs so you might be able to find one at a salvage yard.There is not really much inside of them to go wrong so the chances of getting a good unit is pretty good. Just another option to consider. 

[Drew Pojedinec]

  The Hone OD is more bulky than a GV and noisier. I used to be a dealer for them 45+ years ago. 
   Randy

I always wondered about these.  Don't the ever changing pinion angles mess with these?  Seems like it would be an issue, but I don't know.

[Heo]

You put them on the rear end? I dont know the weight of them
but you get more unsprung wheight and thats not a good thing

[66FAIRLANE]

If I had my time again I would have bought the kit with the shortened output shaft & pulled the trans.

[gt350hr]

  The Hone OD is more bulky than a GV and noisier. I used to be a dealer for them 45+ years ago. 
   Randy

I always wondered about these.  Don't the ever changing pinion angles mess with these?  Seems like it would be an issue, but I don't know.

        Drew ,
           I did one on a Mustang ( with 4.57 gears) so the guy could quit trailering and drive his car to the track.  The Hone unit was so long ( IMHO) that it changed not only the driveshaft angle ( still acceptable) but the "leverage" caused by natural torque reaction broke the case and threw the pinion out on the starting line, The nodular iron case was not damaged but the Hone "flange" was destroyed.  Hone manufacturing ( local to me) had never seen it , trying to blame me for it happening. WRONG.
          I quit using them after that.
    Randy