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Old 03-26-2016, 11:12 AM   #1
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Did you know......

You all know the Allison 545 is, well, what it is. However, I just found out that the Allison 1545 is actually a 545 with lockup.

Quick, go find one now!

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Old 03-26-2016, 12:30 PM   #2
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Found one.

Allison 1545 info: (maybe outdated) on these 1545 trannies.

Gear ratios: 3.45, 2.25, 1.41, 1.00 to 1.00 and R 5.02

It shifts 1c, 2c, 3c, 3L, 4L . C = converter, L = locked clutch

L 27.2", W 20.7", H 18.9" and weighs 302 lbs Mounts to a #3 bellhousing
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Old 03-26-2016, 12:44 PM   #3
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I'm thinking crazycal has one. Somebody started a thread about it a while ago. Cal, was that you?
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Old 03-26-2016, 01:03 PM   #4
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It seems the M35A2 crowd uses the Allison 1545.
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Old 03-26-2016, 01:09 PM   #5
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That would be the perfect swap for those with smaller HP wanting a lockup instead of going to a 643.
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Old 04-05-2016, 07:45 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opus View Post
That would be the perfect swap for those with smaller HP wanting a lockup instead of going to a 643.

im glad to know this! is the lockup mechanical or does it require an electronic input of some sort to trigger it?

this seems a lot easier swap than a 643 as I believe the cross member on a 643 is in a different spot and driveshaft length would be different...

be interested to know if the 1545 is a direct fit..

-Christopher
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:00 PM   #7
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Penske Allison of Cerritos is a Cerritos dealer and a new car and used car Cerritos CA dealership.

The AT500 / 1500 Product Family

The AT500 / 1500 Product family is comprised of several individual transmission models. The following explanation may be helpful in understanding the basic characteristics and suggested uses for each model in the Product Family. The name of most transmission models consist of two elements, the Base Model Number and the Model Family. The following list has been broken down into the three basic steps that must be determined to match you with the transmission specification that you need.

The
AT500(R) and AT1500P Series transmissions are fully automatic and torque-converter driven, with hydraulic shift controls.

These models have four forward speeds, and are best suited for light - medium duty, on-highway applications.

For the AT542 & AT545 models, torque and speed are transferred from the engine to the transmission gear pack through the torque converter at all times.

The AT1542P & AT1545P models incorporate a lockup clutch in their design which is automatically engaged, when operating conditions permit, to provide direct drive between the input and output sections of the torque converter -effectively providing direct drive from the engine to the transmission gear pack.

The input section of these two lockup-equipped models also includes a damper to minimize the need for additional engine vibration control.

The PTO drive provision is standard for the AT1500P series models.


Four basic four-speed transmission models are available in the AT transmission family, each containing features which have been designed for specific vocational needs: Without lockup clutch with lockup clutch

• AT542 • AT1542P • AT545 • AT1545P

AT542 & AT1542P– This four-speed model is best suited for light duty on-highway applications such as school and shuttle buses, motor homes, recreational vehicles, general pickup and delivery, and fire/rescue/ambulance vehicles.

AT545 & AT1545P – The four-speed AT545 model is best suited for medium duty on-highway applications of a multi-nature, such as: school bus, fuel delivery, beverage delivery, one-way rental trucks, fire/rescue/ambulance vehicles, road sweepers, general pickup and delivery, and limited transit.

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Old 04-05-2016, 01:05 PM   #8
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from what im reading it looks like the AT1545 was only used in government military vehicles.. I cant find any resources on where to buy reman units or how the lockup operates.. (if its purely internal, or if its electrically controlled like its automobile cousins (700R4)...

it looks like busses mainly got the MT643 when they wanted lockup.. which looks like a bit of a tough swap from what im reading...

I dont know what it would take to swap to a 2000 series (5 or 6 speed)... obviously driveshaft / mount move and probably a different bell if going on an older engine like a DT360? and of course needing the computer for it..

-Christopher
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:22 PM   #9
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Well since we're talking transmission's I have a Allison 647, what can you tell me about that & is there any upgrades / improvement's to it???
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:27 PM   #10
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Bingo, the 5 or 6 speed would be the way to go. Is that possible in the older mechanical (non computer) transmissions?

GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation

Long since sold; Just and example
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
Quantity in Lot: 1 (View Details)
Auction Type: Internet Auction
Open Time: 08/20/2013 12:00AM Eastern Time
Close Time: 08/22/2013 05:11PM Eastern Time
Time Left: This lot is closed.
Item Location: Jacksonville, FL US
Opening Bid: $25.00
Current Bid: $666.00 - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation

GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
Photo not available.
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:41 PM   #11
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these older units are 4 speed only..

the allison 2000 series can be programmed as a 5 or a 6 speed transmission.. they are computer controlled.. there is one 6 speed controller I know of on the market.. the controller itself is $1600.. you would then (non electronic engines) need to fashion up some sort of TPS so that the trans knows your throttle position... (electronic engines can provide a feed for this from the PCM)... you will have $2000+ in a good reman allison 2000 series...

im not sure what it takes to bolt it up to your engine and bus.. some engines have a bolt pattern that will match.. others require an adapter plate or a different bell..

I figure I'll drive my bus on the AT545 for awhile and then determine if I want to take on a swap of this magnitude..

electronics-wise these transmissions are fairly easy to control.. so for me I could likely build my own controller for it and save that cost. (electromechanicals and software are my specialty)... mechanically I dont have access to the heavy tools and lifts required to move truck-size transmissions around..

-Christopher
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Old 04-05-2016, 01:56 PM   #12
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This is my first automatic on a bus and it seems terribly mushy. It shifts smoothly, which from what I hear is very unusual. I get down the highway just fine, but I'll be pulling 35 mph on most long hills. Down to 25 in the mountains. I'm told I'll get used to it. I plan on driving my 545 for as long as possible, and in the mean time I'll be looking for a better transmission as a replacement. In the event of transplant, such as breakdown on the road, I'd hope the controller would come from the same donor vehicle as the transmission but that could only happen if it was the same engine with the better trans, without all the recoding and stuff.
It's so much easier to just get a better bus. I need automatic chains and air conditioning.
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Old 04-05-2016, 02:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T View Post
Well since we're talking transmission's I have a Allison 647, what can you tell me about that & is there any upgrades / improvement's to it???

A MT643 on steroids.
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Old 04-05-2016, 02:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
Bingo, the 5 or 6 speed would be the way to go. Is that possible in the older mechanical (non computer) transmissions?

GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation

Long since sold; Just and example
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
Quantity in Lot: 1 (View Details)
Auction Type: Internet Auction
Open Time: 08/20/2013 12:00AM Eastern Time
Close Time: 08/22/2013 05:11PM Eastern Time
Time Left: This lot is closed.
Item Location: Jacksonville, FL US
Opening Bid: $25.00
Current Bid: $666.00 - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation

GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation
Photo not available.
GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with
shipping container. GL will provide loading. - See more at: GM Allison transmission model AT1545, with shipping container. GL will provide loading. - Government Liquidation

Those are the same lot number=same transmission. Besides, they have the mark of the beast.
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Old 04-05-2016, 02:31 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Booyah45828 View Post
I'm thinking crazycal has one. Somebody started a thread about it a while ago. Cal, was that you?

That's me. I have two in the crate. One definitely rebuilt. The second, I'm not sure. I've been too lazy to climb under the bus and trade measurements.
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