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05-02-2019, 11:32 PM
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#821
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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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).
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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.
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05-05-2019, 05:52 PM
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#822
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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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.
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Thx. I'll check into them.
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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07-27-2019, 09:01 AM
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#823
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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Scored!!
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]
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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07-27-2019, 09:13 AM
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#824
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Niiiii-ice score! [emoji106]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-27-2019, 09:34 AM
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#825
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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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]
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Great score - that should make a difference and make your bus a more pleasant driver
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07-27-2019, 09:53 AM
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#826
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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And, by extention, you a more pleasant driver... [emoji6]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-27-2019, 10:07 AM
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#827
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HazMatt
And, by extention, you a more pleasant driver... [emoji6]
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.................... ....................
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07-27-2019, 12:35 PM
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#828
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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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.
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07-27-2019, 02:09 PM
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#829
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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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.
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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 )
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07-27-2019, 02:26 PM
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#830
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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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 )
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I'm thinking someone else has seen "Space Balls"
The "Winnebago" should have been a skoolie.
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07-27-2019, 02:29 PM
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#831
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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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............
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07-27-2019, 02:46 PM
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#832
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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I've worn out 2 shovels already on this damned caliche! [emoji27]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-27-2019, 02:54 PM
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#833
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sojourner
I'm thinking someone else has seen "Space Balls"
The "Winnebago" should have been a skoolie.
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perhaps my jab has been stated before, but it was pretty much uninfluenced by others - lol
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10-06-2019, 07:17 PM
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#834
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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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!!):
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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10-06-2019, 07:31 PM
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#835
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
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I like it......very nice job.
Those curved ends look sexy.
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10-06-2019, 08:07 PM
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#836
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 32
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466, AT545
Rated Cap: 8 windows
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wow, bumper looks awesome
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10-09-2019, 04:18 AM
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#837
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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Thanks for the compliments. Can't wait to get the hitch installed this weekend!!
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10-09-2019, 05:57 AM
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#838
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Gimel is looking great.
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10-09-2019, 08:13 AM
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#839
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 7,000
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
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Looks great.
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10-10-2019, 03:13 AM
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#840
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
Gimel is looking great.
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Thanks. Bit by tiny bit it's coming together. I just wish I had more time to work on it. One day a week makes for slow progress.
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