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01-12-2020, 07:11 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Bennington, NH
Posts: 47
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466E Navistar
Rated Cap: 28,900
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A transmission question for you DT466 heads
Were there ever any busses produced in the early 2k's with a standard transmission? The experience I personally have with the DT466 was back then, I was working for a line clearance tree company and my tree truck was set up with the DT466 and a 6 speed manual transmission. I loved this set up, it worked really well around town as well as out on the highway. I have not spent too much time looking for a bus specifically with a standard transmission, but in the searching I have done I have not seen one. Just curious if they were ever offered. Or, on the other hand, how much of an ordeal would it be to convert?
Thanks to anyone who might shed a little light on the situation.
Smitty
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01-12-2020, 07:28 PM
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#2
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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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It took me 18 months to find my '97 466/Spicer 5 sp combo 3800 shorty, but I've seen quite a few Spicers in the full-length buses. Don't think I've ever seen a 6 sp manual advertised in a school bus.
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01-12-2020, 07:35 PM
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#3
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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 Smittybilt
Were there ever any busses produced in the early 2k's with a standard transmission? The experience I personally have with the DT466 was back then, I was working for a line clearance tree company and my tree truck was set up with the DT466 and a 6 speed manual transmission. I loved this set up, it worked really well around town as well as out on the highway. I have not spent too much time looking for a bus specifically with a standard transmission, but in the searching I have done I have not seen one. Just curious if they were ever offered. Or, on the other hand, how much of an ordeal would it be to convert?
Thanks to anyone who might shed a little light on the situation.
Smitty
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YEah I've seen DT466's in buses with manual transmissions. Especially around VA.
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01-12-2020, 07:37 PM
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#4
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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 plfking
It took me 18 months to find my '97 466/Spicer 5 sp combo 3800 shorty, but I've seen quite a few Spicers in the full-length buses. Don't think I've ever seen a 6 sp manual advertised in a school bus.
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I have seen two school buses with what was described as a "6+1" manual transmission. I don't know why they didn't call it a "7 speed".
I daydream about a Crown with a 671T and a ten speed..
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01-13-2020, 12:27 AM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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01-13-2020, 04:09 AM
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#6
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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 Brad_SwiftFur
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Yep. VA for the win.
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01-13-2020, 06:14 AM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,324
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
I have seen two school buses with what was described as a "6+1" manual transmission. I don't know why they didn't call it a "7 speed".
I daydream about a Crown with a 671T and a ten speed..
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6+1, or in my case 4+1 really means it is driven as a 6 speed or 4 speed for normal driving. the +1 is a granny gear which is not normally used unless starting on a steep hill.
I have not driven the 6 speed in question but did consider it for my truck.
My bus if you look at the shift pattern 2 through 5 is in the standard "H" pattern. 1st and reverse are on the left with 1st being at the top, so shifting from 1 to 2 is a U. If you go straight down as would be normal for a 5 speed you get reverse.
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01-13-2020, 06:19 AM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,324
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur
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Nice bus, ok I have enough but would want this if I did not.
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01-13-2020, 06:21 AM
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#9
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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
6+1, or in my case 4+1 really means it is driven as a 6 speed or 4 speed for normal driving. the +1 is a granny gear which is not normally used unless starting on a steep hill.
I have not driven the 6 speed in question but did consider it for my truck.
My bus if you look at the shift pattern 2 through 5 is in the standard "H" pattern. 1st and reverse are on the left with 1st being at the top, so shifting from 1 to 2 is a U. If you go straight down as would be normal for a 5 speed you get reverse.
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My truck is a 3+1. I only ever use the "1" when pulling a trailer from a stop on a hill in traffic.
Or the other night when I pulled a fullsize van out of a ditch.
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01-13-2020, 08:53 AM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,259
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 8.3 Cummins ISC
Rated Cap: 75
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A few forum members have bought early 2000s International buses with the Spicer manuals from VA/NV area. They did report that they are geared pretty low.
Not sure if a rear end swap would help or not. These buses were mainly build to run routes in the Appalachian mountain areas and don't spend much time on flat land.
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01-13-2020, 11:46 AM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WIbluebird
A few forum members have bought early 2000s International buses with the Spicer manuals from VA/NV area. They did report that they are geared pretty low.
Not sure if a rear end swap would help or not. These buses were mainly build to run routes in the Appalachian mountain areas and don't spend much time on flat land.
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I did, in fact, buy one as reflected in my profile, from southern WV. T444e engine, 5-speed manual, 5.38 gears, 10R22.5 tires, 55 MPH top speed at ~2600 RPM. A gear swap to ~3.91 (or numerically lower) is planned. When the tires wear out I'll probably swap to 11R22.5's, there's plenty of room.
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01-13-2020, 12:00 PM
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#12
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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 Brad_SwiftFur
I did, in fact, buy one as reflected in my profile, from southern WV. T444e engine, 5-speed manual, 5.38 gears, 10R22.5 tires, 55 MPH top speed at ~2600 RPM. A gear swap to ~3.91 (or numerically lower) is planned. When the tires wear out I'll probably swap to 11R22.5's, there's plenty of room.
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I've got 3.42 and 3.91 would be about perfect.
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01-13-2020, 12:14 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,760
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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I wish I had a 3.90 or a 4.10 in mine.. my 3.54 with Double OverDrive is Too Tall
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01-13-2020, 12:44 PM
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#14
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
I've got 3.42 and 3.91 would be about perfect.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
I wish I had a 3.90 or a 4.10 in mine.. my 3.54 with Double OverDrive is Too Tall
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With my 1:1 top gear (No OD), I figure a 3.91 gear will give me around 75 @ 2600 RPM, or a more modest RPM at 65, without being too tall of a gear set.
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01-13-2020, 02:25 PM
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#15
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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 Brad_SwiftFur
With my 1:1 top gear (No OD), I figure a 3.91 gear will give me around 75 @ 2600 RPM, or a more modest RPM at 65, without being too tall of a gear set.
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I've got 10R's, 1:1 with no notable slip, and 3.42. I'm at 1800 rpm going 65. If I had 3.91 I'd get some 11R's on this bus but I'm thinking I'm already geared as high as I'd want it. 3.91 with 11R's sounds perfect with 1:1, at least to me. Either way- gears are an AMAZING upgrade as you know!
Now that I think of it I have a NICE set of used Goodyear 11R's I could buy for a decent price. Selling them for Native who got new ones while he was down. Haven't done anything with them yet they're just chillin in my bus. I guess I could get them thrown on the bus for $80 or so and see how it feels.
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01-13-2020, 04:14 PM
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#16
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Eagle River Wisconsin
Posts: 66
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Gillig
Chassis: Low Floor Bus
Engine: Cummins ISL diesel 540 cu in
Rated Cap: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur
With my 1:1 top gear (No OD), I figure a 3.91 gear will give me around 75 @ 2600 RPM, or a more modest RPM at 65, without being too tall of a gear set.
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3.91's on the classified right now..
Just sayin,
BaconFarms
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01-13-2020, 04:27 PM
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#17
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BaconFarms
3.91's on the classified right now..
Just sayin,
BaconFarms
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Reply posted, basically, how easy would it be to swap the gears in the existing carrier?
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01-13-2020, 04:57 PM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,324
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur
Reply posted, basically, how easy would it be to swap the gears in the existing carrier?
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Parts are heavy, and proper set up is very important. However it is straight forward and if you pay attention to details it really is not hard. A transmission jack would be handy to get the "3rd member" out. Once out and on the workbench not bad to work on. An engine hoist will be needed or a helper to lift it onto the workbench.
Figure a day's job
Before getting into it you need to find what ratios will work with the carrier you have.
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01-13-2020, 05:17 PM
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#19
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie
Parts are heavy, and proper set up is very important. However it is straight forward and if you pay attention to details it really is not hard. A transmission jack would be handy to get the "3rd member" out. Once out and on the workbench not bad to work on. An engine hoist will be needed or a helper to lift it onto the workbench.
Figure a day's job
Before getting into it you need to find what ratios will work with the carrier you have.
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Yeah, I'm aware this thing is heavy and at some point there's a difference between carriers for certain gear ratios. But my intent of my question is do I need specialized measuring instruments for play, gear lash, preload, or anything technical like that? Some of the older axles required all that and to be honest it would be better for me to have an axle shop do that. But fresh bolts, a torque wrench, form-a-gasket and 5 gallons of fresh axle oil are within my abilities.
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01-13-2020, 06:02 PM
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#20
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,324
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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A dial indicator is needed for backlash
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