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I have a 1980 Chevy/Carpenter 66 passenger that I am converting into a motorhome. Installed a tachometer, and are a little nervous turning 3400 at 55 mph. Bus has a 350 with a 2 barrel carb. Would like to bring RPM's down some with a two speed rearend. Anyone know where I might find one?
You might want to rethink this. 2 speeds are notorious for freezing up during cold weather.
For that kind of money, check on re-gearing the rear end, larger wheel/tires or an auxilllary overdrive.
I had another rear end remanufactured for me for about $1600.00 plus $300.00 core deposit. I changed from a 7.17 to a 5.29 in a 1977 International Model 1603 Schoolmaster bus. The reason that I had one "remaned" was the fact that I was ensured of new bearings and the proper "backlash" set up in the ring and pinion". All I had to do is remove the old one and put in the new one. It was a "piece of cake".
IF you go the two speed route, check the ratios before you buy/install it. You may find that you have a low and a very low rear!!! If you do go the two speed route, you'll find the extra gears you have by "splitting" are great and will keep you moving along, especially on uphills. Good luck.
I don't think you are really wanting a 2-speed rear end. A 2-speed is not like an auxillary overdrive/undedrive unit. In most cases, the 2-speed will have virtually the same direct gearing as you have now. The only difference is the low side will "split" each gear on the way up or down.
If you are thinking of traveling any place where you are going to be going up hills, your 350 w/ a 2-barrel is not going to get you up the hills very quickly.
Before you start spending lots of $$$ changing stuff around, invest in a manifold vacuum gauge. If you are running 5" or less when you are cruising, your engine does not have enough h.p. to pull a faster rear end. At 5" or less, if you had a 4-barrel carb you would be traveling with the secondaries open all the time. Changing to a faster speed rear end would just mean you would downshift sooner on any grade and most every grade will be pulled in one gear lower.
A 2-speed is not the best answer for what you want to do.
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