Help with speed (trans and rear end)

capttrips25 · 01-11-2005, 09:57 AM

Some of yall have seen "willow" my bus. right now I have a new crate motor (IH 345) gasser. I was thinking of changing the rear end to a 2 speed and hoping the 4 speed transmission would be enough.

For further post, where do I find out what transmission and rear end I have? is there a number plate somewhere on them?

Steve · 01-11-2005, 12:24 PM

I have a IH 345 with 4 speed and 2 speed rear end. The low gear is really low 50 mph tops and I can do about 70 max in high.

Not sure what you are going for but having a two speed rear end will probably only help you driving around town.

capttrips25 · 01-11-2005, 01:25 PM

I was going for highway speed. As of now I can only do about 54 max and thats with the engine wound up at high RPMs. I have power, I can pull a mountain easy enough but I just cant make any highway speed.

phillip266 · 01-11-2005, 07:48 PM

i would take a look at changing the
ring and pinion gears before swaping to a 2speed it should be a lot easer than swaping the whole rearend that will be a Big job on a bus not to metion the ring and pinion gears you should beable to get what you need to get just the right amount of speed worth a try

Jarlaxle · 01-11-2005, 09:08 PM

If you have to change-out the R&P anyway, is it that much more work to swap to a 2-speed axle?

For highway speed, you probably want one (R&P or 2-speed axle) from a diesel truck...IF you have enough engine to pull it!

phillip266 · 01-12-2005, 12:24 AM

ya its a lot more work to change to a 2speed then to change the r&p

lapeer20m · 01-12-2005, 06:15 PM

I rode in steves bus with the 2 speed rear end. I was amazed. His bus is like a speed racer compared to my 6.6 liter ford with the at545.

It's been months since i rode in his bus, and i'm still jealous!

capttrips25 · 01-12-2005, 08:09 PM

Well I have access to a pair of 2 speed rear ends. It was explained to me the Ford rear ends will basicly bolt up to an International Harvester.

I may try it out

Jarlaxle · 01-12-2005, 10:31 PM

Lapeer: Your problem is the tranny. Bluntly, the Allison AT545 sucks. It sucks fuel & it sucks power because the converter NEVER locks up, so the engine is screaming, but you're not getting anywhere. Short of a tranny swap, I think you're stuck.

lapeer20m · 01-13-2005, 05:41 PM

I agree! The at545 sucks up a lot of power.

You may also like: