Has anybody tried these?
Pros?
Cons?

http://www.marks4wd.com/lc-extra-low-tc-gears.htm

And yes I tried to search first.

TIA

I have a set on order. Going into my v8 60 with h55f... and 4.11... which means 63:1 (for perspective, an sm465, early 4 speed case, and 4.11= 53:1).

if i won the lottery and did the 203 doubler... i'd get 126:1

not bad.

AND, my 4.11 will seem more like 4.30 thanks to the undrive affect.

-B

B
Let me know how it goes.
Also, Where did you get it from..Marks4wd or AA or ???

AA is the only choice to get those gears if you want them shipped to the states.

Bummer. They're like the frick'n parts nazis...

anyway, i will keep the board informed. Should be an interesting comparo to my buddy Tom who runs h55f, 5 speed case (which means probably not the 2.2:1 low that i have), 4.88's and 36's and is doing the 203 doubler. He will end up with 94.7:1

-B

that is just to much money. if they could get it down it the 8 to 900 range it think it would be worthwhile.

AA wants about $1400 for the gears. At the current exchange rate the Marks4wd price converted to USD is about $765. Add shipping from OZ and that is still no where near what AA wants. There are a few of us in the DFW area trying to find another way to get these for a more reasonable price.
Has anyone heard anything about how well these sets fit in the case and if there are any other "issues" with running them?

From what I read on AA's site, it is necessary to grind the case for the 3.08:1 gear set. Other then that, and new bushings... it should slip right in.

we shall see.

AA sucks. man they suck. they are one big suck. They would be much more popular if they were cheaper. We should send someone to Oz to buy them direct and take them back. I'll volunteer.

-B

Originally posted by b_sulli@yahoo.com
We should send someone to Oz to buy them direct and take them back. I'll volunteer.

-B

or get someone in aus to do it

I can ship the Mark's 2.81:1 sets for $1050, but may take 3-5 weeks to get them. This was the price quoted me 4-5 weeks ago and I hope can hold up for a while. No grinding is needed (I had this double checked).

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~marks4wd/,
see 60/62 series; transfer sets.

rick
mrwagon@tritel.net

Originally posted by 85DieselRunner


or get someone in aus to do it

You volunteering?
If you are I'll let you know if my current thing falls through.

Supposedly one of the folks here in DFW has a coworker that travels to oz a few times a year on Business. Bring 'em back as luggage or something.

Originally posted by rick d
I can ship the Mark's 2.81:1 sets for $1050, but may take 3-5 weeks to get them. This was the price quoted me 4-5 weeks ago and I hope can hold up for a while. No grinding is needed (I had this double checked).

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~marks4wd/,
see 60/62 series; transfer sets.

rick
mrwagon@tritel.net

That is closer to my target price.
Two questions:
1. isn't the 2.81 set only about a .5 improvement over stock.
2. do you know if the 3.08 set requires grinding?

The plan right now is to swap my 4sp for a 5sp and I think that, with the lower gearset will give me crawl and decent highway rpms.

I have not done enough counts on teeth to determine 1981-1985 ratios (34mm cases). The 1986+ (38mm) US cases are 2.27:1, but there is a difference in idler gear tooth counts and the drive gears (input)between 34mm cases and 38mm cases. Input is 32 tooth on 38's and 34 tooth on 34's.

I know I have a 38mm case (non US) that is 1.99+/-:1 and I had a 34 mm case that was the same (and used the 34 tooth input gear).

I think the first generation gear sets by Marks were the 3.1:1 and did need grinding. I know the rock hopper gears are a must grind. The gear sets I can get (as described on Mark's site, and incorrectly described on MAF's) are 2.8:1 (I'd choose the manufacturers specs over ANY reseller). All in all the crawl was 78:1 with 4.11's/H55....I think (60series guy-what did we come up with?).

They also have an under drive, so a 4.8:1 first gear on a H55 is reduced to 4.4:1. Don't even consider the stock 3.55:1 US 4 speed (ugh). A sm465 might be a cool mating.

The ratio with an H55F and 4.11's would be 57:1, and 68:1 with 4.88's. The beauty of the setup is that it doesn't change drivelines, so it's a great setup if you want lower gears in a stockish 1981+ Land Cruiser without major expenses.

Personally, I think they would make a killer combination when combined with an NP203 doubler, because I could end up with 114:1 without changing the diff gears.

They're also a very good option if you already have to rebuild a split case.

I think $1,050 for it in the US is a pretty good deal, certainly cheaper than going with Advanced "Pass the Vaseline" Adapters!

>>The ratio with an H55F and 4.11's would be 57:1, and 68:1 with 4.88's. <<

You must be talking about the overdrive set. The set I am getting, has a 3.05:1 low range.

With my h55f, and late model 4 speed case, I will have:
4.843x3.05x4.11 = 60.7:1

I had the wrong number for first gear earlier.

Then with a 203 doubler, 121:1

And my 4.11:1 will feel like 4.44:1

The overdrive gears hardly seem worth it.

oh oh, and with 203 doubler and 4.88s... 144:1

and, and... and... uh what else could I add? Klune V? What are those 2.7:1? That would be 389:1

Alright, that is too slow.

-B

My 3.05:1 set came to $960 USD ($805 USD, current exchange and about $ 135 Fedex Air) + $29 for US Customs. Took two working days. Contact: Nick Mannell at : nick@mannellmotors.com.au .

He indicated that he'd be willing to sell Marks products directly to interested US customers. He is excellent to work with.

If you want a low TC gear set, you need to measure the diameter of your idler shaft. Early shafts are 34mm and later shafts (>'85, I think) are 38mm.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hi50
[B]My 3.05:1 set came to $960 USD ($805 USD, current exchange and about $ 135 Fedex Air) + $29 for US Customs. Took two working days. Contact: Nick Mannell at : nick@mannellmotors.com.au .

1. Thanks
2. Have you installed them? Still trying to get the grinding Q answer.
3. If you have installed them, how do you like 'em?

The overdrive gears hardly seem worth it.

An 8% difference in gearing is nothing in low 1st but VERY important in the highest gear, if you're trying to fine tune axle gearing and tires size. Them putting out both 0.92 and 1.08 high range gears is very useful. The 1.08s especially will come in handy for folks with 4.11s and H55Fs with big tires.


Alright, that is too slow.

Impossible! My F350 is 110:1 and I wish it was lower. My FJ45 will be 260:1, I guess that'll be almost enough.
Charlie

Actually, I'm just an owner-operator. A local cruiser shop, DJ's Traction Systems is doing the install. The TC mod is part of a conversion to a 5.3 liter Vortec and 4L60E. I chose the lower of the two Marks gear sets 'cause the 4L60E has a significant OD in 4th and the 1.08 high range will not be a handicap. I'm hoping that the '40 will be done in time for Moab 2002 in May. I'll post an evaluation of the TC when it's finished.

Good point Charles...

What I meant was that the overdrive gear set's low range... hardly seems worth it, especially if you have the 2.2:1 splitcase.

Either way... I'm just happy that there are some gears available to us Waggie owners (and you later model 40 owners).

-B

I originally got into split cases because it was attached to the H55 that I swapped out. Rumor was that all the split cases attached to the 5-speeds that were imported from OZ during the past 4+ years had a 1.96 low range. So, the 3.08 conversion provides a significant improvement in crawl.

My first choice would have been a Klune-V, but I didn't want to do the mods it would have taken to get extra length for the rear drive shaft. The 4L60E is much longer than the H55, unfortunately, and I really wanted the automagic tranny.

I agree with you that swapping a 2.2 for a 2.8 would not seem very cost effective. I've heard of the 2.2 low range, but never could determine which TC's might have this ratio.

The 'upgrade' to the 2.8:1 gear sets are a good idea under two conditions.

First, if you have a sub 2:1 case (like I do)

Second, if you have a comprimised gear set in the split case. 1986+ and Auto FJ62's have the 2.28:1 set (they use the same idler gearset). For pre 1986 cases, it is something maybe above 2:1 on US spec (3.70 diff)-but not sure. But if, you have a 200,000 mile plus t-case, you will have some to more than some lash in the gear set. If you want a tight set of gearing, I would opt for the Marks (OEM are still close to $800+ for 4 gears).

All H55's are fitted with the <2:1 set when fitted behind 3B's, 2H's, and 2F's. Most 1HZ's are also <2:1 (i.e. all mine truck applications in Canada).

Food for thought.

I should have checked this post erlier as I could have helped. I have just taken delivery today of 5 sets of Marks LC Xmas special gear sets for a guy and his buddies in the US. Marks have now closed down for Xmas and reopen around 14 Jan.

With shipping to me it works out about $US744 a set and if they choose airfreight on a shared basis the max will be around $824 delivered to their door.

This is a pic of one set I opened.

http://home.access1.com.au/~ozrunner/graphics/Gears3.jpg

Hey Ozrunner, thanks for the info. Do you know anyone who is actually running these gears? Any reports on installation or performance after that? Thanks, Don.

Rick-thanks for the info on gears in the split case.

Prospective gear buyers: OzRunner's price is very good. You may need to add US Custom's onto the price, but my charge was only $28 USD. Also, be sure you measure the diameter of your idler gear prior to ordering. Marks makes sets for both the 34 mm and 38 mm idler gear.

hi50

No mate I personally don't know of anyone using them as I only am helping out with shipping.


Panzer

I checked the instructions book and there are 4 small grinds required. One as per this pic to clear the idler gear and 3 less deep similar ones to clear the low gear. Looks easy enough using a small die grinder but they do say to be careful you don't go too far and create a hole. Only needs 1mm clearance.

http://home.access1.com.au/~ozrunner/graphics/Marksgears.jpg

OK, I had pretty much decided I could live without these gears until this thread came along. Sounds like some pretty good prices can be had if you stay clear of AA. Thanks for the info.

Originally posted by Ozrunner
I should have checked this post erlier as I could have helped. I have just taken delivery today of 5 sets of Marks LC Xmas special gear sets for a guy and his buddies in the US. Marks have now closed down for Xmas and reopen around 14 Jan.

With shipping to me it works out about $US744 a set and if they choose airfreight on a shared basis the max will be around $824 delivered to their door.

Ozrunner
If you don't mind being middleman again I could use some assistance with an order of about the same size. Probably after Cruise Moab in May or June. PM or email me with the specs on how we go about doin it.

I am interested in setting up a deal too.

Just a bump.
Still looking to see if anyone has these installed.
May be too new a product to get a consumer report on yet.

I'm sure someone else will have their TC up and running soon. But, you'll have my report shortly after Cruise Moab Y2K+2. That's the ET to completion of my '40 with Vortec, 4L60E and Marks gears.