Repurposing Heavy Duty Pickup Transmission For Bus Duty

wrenchtech · 05-18-2019, 04:51 PM

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

wrenchtech · 05-19-2019, 12:57 PM

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

magnakansas · 05-19-2019, 03:22 PM

I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....

william

wrenchtech · 05-19-2019, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnakansas

I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....

william

How is that working out for you?

PNW_Steve · 05-19-2019, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnakansas

I am using the nv5600 in my short bus....

william

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.

Ronnie · 05-20-2019, 05:42 AM

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?

EastCoastCB · 05-20-2019, 06:38 AM

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?

I know the nv4500 isn't as popular as the muncie in chevy trucks.

PNW_Steve · 05-20-2019, 03:46 PM

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?

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.

Booyah45828 · 05-20-2019, 04:15 PM

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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