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05-18-2019, 04:51 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Posts: 415
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner HDX
Engine: CAT C7 300hp w/retarder
Rated Cap: 46 + 1 36,200 lbs
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Repurposing Heavy Duty Pickup Transmission For Bus Duty
Has anybody tried repurposing any of the heavier duty pick up truck transmissions for school bus duty? I'm thinking mainly of the Allison 1000, and Aisin Seki AS69RC. The latter is a six speed transmission that came in 1 ton Dodge pickups with the high output version of the 6.7 Cummins trucks and in cab-and-chassis models. The HO Cummins puts out around 900 pounds feet of torque and those trucks are rated for a gross combined vehicle weight rating somewhere in excess of 30,000 pounds. First gear is 3.75, fourth is direct, and fifth and sixth are overdrive gears at 0.77 and 0.63 respectively. If I was going with the Alison, I would want to get it rebuilt. There are any number of outfits doing high performance rebuilds that can substantially increase its capacity and reliability. There are also one or two companies that make stand-alone controllers for the Ally. I think there are some companies working on making standalone controllers for the Aisin as well. Would any of this offer the Improvements over the existing bus transmissions that could justify the expense and the effort? At least for the small to midsize buses
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05-19-2019, 12:57 PM
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#2
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Posts: 415
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner HDX
Engine: CAT C7 300hp w/retarder
Rated Cap: 46 + 1 36,200 lbs
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Well it was just a passing thought. What I really want anyway is an Eaton Fuller 10-speed. If people can put them in Dodge pickup trucks, they surely are suitable for a Skoolie.
Here's an example. The sweetest sounds start at about 1:30 in the video.
https://youtu.be/GDEHv4Yifc4?t=83
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05-19-2019, 03:22 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,780
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
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manual six speed
I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....
william
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05-19-2019, 03:26 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Posts: 415
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner HDX
Engine: CAT C7 300hp w/retarder
Rated Cap: 46 + 1 36,200 lbs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magnakansas
I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....
william
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How is that working out for you?
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05-19-2019, 05:24 PM
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#5
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by magnakansas
I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....
william
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I have the NV5600 in my truck. I think that a shorty is a great application.
I would have reservations about installing it in a larger rig.
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05-20-2019, 05:42 AM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,325
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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I am on my second Dodge one ton with cummins, and can say that the manual trans (nv4500) does not hold up well. I tow a lot, and am often in the 20,000 to 26,000 total gross weight range. So I have been looking at what medium duty truck trans might be a good fit. So at least from my experience I would not use a pickup truck trans in the bus.
For those with the NV 5600 is towing in any of the overdrive gears recommended or discouraged?
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05-20-2019, 06:38 AM
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#7
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie
I am on my second Dodge one ton with cummins, and can say that the manual trans (nv4500) does not hold up well. I tow a lot, and am often in the 20,000 to 26,000 total gross weight range. So I have been looking at what medium duty truck trans might be a good fit. So at least from my experience I would not use a pickup truck trans in the bus.
For those with the NV 5600 is towing in any of the overdrive gears recommended or discouraged?
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I know the nv4500 isn't as popular as the muncie in chevy trucks.
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05-20-2019, 03:46 PM
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#8
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie
I am on my second Dodge one ton with cummins, and can say that the manual trans (nv4500) does not hold up well. I tow a lot, and am often in the 20,000 to 26,000 total gross weight range. So I have been looking at what medium duty truck trans might be a good fit. So at least from my experience I would not use a pickup truck trans in the bus.
For those with the NV 5600 is towing in any of the overdrive gears recommended or discouraged?
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As best I understand.....,
In factory trim there is some issue with lubrication that presents a problem when towing in OD.
To address this I was directed to drain the old lube then pull the plate off of the top of the transmission and refill. Filling from the top allows two additional quarts.
I did also use Amsoil synthetic lube.
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05-20-2019, 04:15 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2014
Location: West Ohio
Posts: 3,712
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 1753
Engine: 6.9 International
Rated Cap: 65
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Christopher(cadillackid) swapped a beefed up allison 1000 into his redbyrd bus.
I've never heard of anybody using aisin transmission in any swaps. Not sure how much aftermarket there is for them or if they have standalone controllers. The ram cummins guys seem to love them, though, the dodge automatics were junk for several years, so anything was an improvement.
Any swap is possible if you have the room, fab skills, and money to do it. There was a guy on here that had a 5 speed main box and a 3 speed auxiliary box for 15 forward speeds. You could swap an 18 speed fuller in if you wanted to, the possibilities are as endless as your bank account.
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