Sojourner - Page 42

cowlitzcoach · 05-02-2019, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

cowlitzcoach, you don't know of a reasonable place to get brake drums for these Dayton spokes do you? $400.00 each is a bit crazy when stud piloted hubs are much cheaper (another reason I'm considering changing over).

You might try Harlows Bus Sales. They are not only an IC Bus dealer but they have recently picked up an IHC truck dealership. Which should expand their parts inventory.

sojourner · 05-05-2019, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

You might try Harlows Bus Sales. They are not only an IC Bus dealer but they have recently picked up an IHC truck dealership. Which should expand their parts inventory.

Thx. I'll check into them.

sojourner · 07-27-2019, 09:01 AM

Been a while since my last post because of work being busy is leaving me little time and the heat here in the south has been CRAZY to actually get things done. But.... I have been making progress on a rear bumper like I built for the front that will incorporate a trailer hitch. Pics to come when I get that finished.
The main reason for this post if probably one of the most exciting developments in my build that I can think of. I've been struggling on what to do concerning the 4.78 gear ratio in the rear end of Gimel. While very adequate for slow speeds, secondary roads and pulling up (and going down) hills, this ratio is not that well suited for hwy speeds. When I drove the bus from Plainview, TX to Andrews, SC the engine really liked 52-53 mph around 2100 rpm's (it would do 65 flat out against the governor at 2600 rpm's with no headwind) . This can make for a very long drive between destinations. A 4.44 ratio (also common to skoolies) is a little better but not what I'd like to see when on the open road. A 4.10 would be nice for flats but would also be an issue in the hills, especially with my DTA408.
The solution? Drum roll please...... an auxiliary transmission AKA "Brownie Box". This is a transmission that's installed behind the existing main transmission that gives you options of either underdrive (in my case 2:1), direct drive (1:1) and overdrive (.86:1). Well, as good fortune might have it I scored a Spicer 7231D from a fellow in Denver and just got it home yesterday. Not only does this unit come with a PTO (still deciding if I want to keep it or not), it came with both a driveshaft (cut in two pieces to salvage yokes from) and a PTO shaft and..... totally unexpected, a shift unit. I was stunned when it came with it since it was not mentioned in the sale and much harder to find than these boxes. The 7231D is designed to work behind engines with up to 720 ft. lbs of torque. My DTA408 is rated at 502 ft. lbs @1900rpms (which is why it really likes 2100 rpm's).
I'll have to do some creative installation since these things are shifted using linkages between the shifter and trans which are commonly both installed inside the frame rails. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that with my FE. I'll probably develop some sort of cable connection possibly modifying outboard motor steering cables to control the shifting. Time will tell what I end up doing.
With the 2:1 underdrive, I'll be able to crawl if need be, the 1:1 will allow me to use the existing gear ratio as designed but the .86:1 will give me essentially a 4.11:1 ratio for the open flats and should render me speeds about 10mph faster than the 1:1 ratio. I'm really not interested in trying to run this thing at 80 mph but 65 consistently on the open flats would be a very nice change.

[IMG]ttp://www.skoolie.net/forums/members/2049-albums1316-picture22078.jpg[/IMG]

HazMatt · 07-27-2019, 09:13 AM

Niiiii-ice score! [emoji106]

Sleddgracer · 07-27-2019, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

Been a while since my last post because of work being busy is leaving me little time and the heat here in the south has been CRAZY to actually get things done. But.... I have been making progress on a rear bumper like I built for the front that will incorporate a trailer hitch. Pics to come when I get that finished.
The main reason for this post if probably one of the most exciting developments in my build that I can think of. I've been struggling on what to do concerning the 4.78 gear ratio in the rear end of Gimel. While very adequate for slow speeds, secondary roads and pulling up (and going down) hills, this ratio is not that well suited for hwy speeds. When I drove the bus from Plainview, TX to Andrews, SC the engine really liked 52-53 mph around 2100 rpm's (it would do 65 flat out against the governor at 2600 rpm's with no headwind) . This can make for a very long drive between destinations. A 4.44 ratio (also common to skoolies) is a little better but not what I'd like to see when on the open road. A 4.10 would be nice for flats but would also be an issue in the hills, especially with my DTA408.
The solution? Drum roll please...... an auxiliary transmission AKA "Brownie Box". This is a transmission that's installed behind the existing main transmission that gives you options of either underdrive (in my case 2:1), direct drive (1:1) and overdrive (.86:1). Well, as good fortune might have it I scored a Spicer 7231D from a fellow in Denver and just got it home yesterday. Not only does this unit come with a PTO (still deciding if I want to keep it or not), it came with both a driveshaft (cut in two pieces to salvage yokes from) and a PTO shaft and..... totally unexpected, a shift unit. I was stunned when it came with it since it was not mentioned in the sale and much harder to find than these boxes. The 7231D is designed to work behind engines with up to 720 ft. lbs of torque. My DTA408 is rated at 502 ft. lbs @1900rpms (which is why it really likes 2100 rpm's).
I'll have to do some creative installation since these things are shifted using linkages between the shifter and trans which are commonly both installed inside the frame rails. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that with my FE. I'll probably develop some sort of cable connection possibly modifying outboard motor steering cables to control the shifting. Time will tell what I end up doing.
With the 2:1 underdrive, I'll be able to crawl if need be, the 1:1 will allow me to use the existing gear ratio as designed but the .86:1 will give me essentially a 4.11:1 ratio for the open flats and should render me speeds about 10mph faster than the 1:1 ratio. I'm really not interested in trying to run this thing at 80 mph but 65 consistently on the open flats would be a very nice change.

[IMG]ttp://www.skoolie.net/forums/members/2049-albums1316-picture22078.jpg[/IMG]

Great score - that should make a difference and make your bus a more pleasant driver

HazMatt · 07-27-2019, 09:53 AM

And, by extention, you a more pleasant driver... [emoji6]

Sleddgracer · 07-27-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMatt

And, by extention, you a more pleasant driver... [emoji6]

....................

sojourner · 07-27-2019, 12:35 PM

I also forgot to mention, with using this transmission, I'll have two speed indicator inputs. One from the original transmission to send an input to my cruise control module and the one from the auxiliary transmission to drive the speedometer. I won't have to buy the Dakota Digital signal splitter.

Sleddgracer · 07-27-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

I also forgot to mention, with using this transmission, I'll have two speed indicator inputs. One from the original transmission to send an input to my cruise control module and the one from the auxiliary transmission to drive the speedometer. I won't have to buy the Dakota Digital signal splitter.

but will it program the computer for the next space shuttle?

( an 80 year old guys jab at computers taking over our lives and generally failing miserably - I think your new addition is great )

sojourner · 07-27-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

but will it program the computer for the next space shuttle?

( an 80 year old guys jab at computers taking over our lives and generally failing miserably - I think your new addition is great )

I'm thinking someone else has seen "Space Balls"
The "Winnebago" should have been a skoolie.

PNW_Steve · 07-27-2019, 02:29 PM

I suspect his motivation........

If not trusting the government was a good reason to bury 42 school buses in your backyard then most of the members here would be busy burying buses............

HazMatt · 07-27-2019, 02:46 PM

I've worn out 2 shovels already on this damned caliche! [emoji27]

Sleddgracer · 07-27-2019, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojourner

I'm thinking someone else has seen "Space Balls"
The "Winnebago" should have been a skoolie.

perhaps my jab has been stated before, but it was pretty much uninfluenced by others - lol

sojourner · 10-06-2019, 07:17 PM

OK, update on Gimel.
I've spent the last few (over eight) weekends reworking my storage door frames. I didn't like how the first batch turned out so I basically threw them in the scrap pile and made new door frames. Once I get everything adjusted and properly tweeked, I'll have them sand blasted, primed and painted and get ready to bond the aluminum diamond plate to match what I'll skin the undercarriage with (I'm planning on taking the old galvanized steel skins I made off and replacing with diamond plate). I don't have any pictures of this redo as I've already posted how I made the frames before welding in the sheet metal skins.
What I do have pics of is...... drum roll...... my rear bumper build. I'll be adding a hitch to it next weekend but did get the main assembly done and bolted into place. Can't wait to get this finished, blasted and painted so I can check off another of the bazillion boxes I have yet to do before I can move to the inside. Here's the pics (my son now calls this the zombie apocalypse bus, LOL!!):