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Old 09-14-2019, 03:50 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Would my 2 speed fit?

I have a 97 international blue bird. 175hp t444e, AT545, F155S 4.33 rear.

I also have an 88 P30 Allegro 37 foot RV with a Dana 2 speed rear.

Can I swap them without having to buy any special parts?

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Old 09-14-2019, 07:06 PM   #2
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That would be an interesting swap but I seriously doubt it'd be a quick n easy bolt in.
Is it cable operated or electronic?
Assuming you've got the camper drivetrain intact, you could measure the leaf spring perches to see if the int'l. is the same. Not sure on u joint compatibility or any other connections, but let us know how you go on this!
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Old 09-15-2019, 12:05 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Necro View Post
I have a 97 international blue bird. 175hp t444e, AT545, F155S 4.33 rear.

I also have an 88 P30 Allegro 37 foot RV with a Dana 2 speed rear.

Can I swap them without having to buy any special parts?
If you're 545 is slipping and you run a higher gear ratio it will slip more.
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Old 09-15-2019, 09:11 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peteg59 View Post
That would be an interesting swap but I seriously doubt it'd be a quick n easy bolt in.
Is it cable operated or electronic?
Assuming you've got the camper drivetrain intact, you could measure the leaf spring perches to see if the int'l. is the same. Not sure on u joint compatibility or any other connections, but let us know how you go on this!
I would not worry about the U-joint compatibility. Any competent drive line shop can deal with that if the 2 speed axle fits on the bus springs. Some 2 speed rears are shifted with air, which would only require running a plastic line and installing a pneumatic switch in the cab.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Free Bird View Post
If you're 545 is slipping and you run a higher gear ratio it will slip more.
That is an excellent comment. OP should also swap the AT545 with a MT643 and together with the 2 speed rear will have the best non-electronic combo. I assume that the 2 speed rear from an RV is Overdrive and not a reduction like on some heavy rigs.
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Old 09-16-2019, 09:24 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
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If I had a slipping tranny I would already be pricing a 643...

Its an electric 2 speed.
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Old 09-16-2019, 10:00 AM   #6
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What are you trying to accomplish with the swap?

A 4.33 axle ratio is pretty good for acceleration and 55 mph cruising.

Biggest thing I would check is the weight ratings of each axle. The f155s is around 15k GAW and most of your G30/P30 chassis used axles around the 10k GAW area.
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Old 09-16-2019, 10:05 AM   #7
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Im trying to be able to do 75 without having it to the floor.
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Old 09-16-2019, 11:13 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Necro View Post
If I had a slipping tranny I would already be pricing a 643...

Its an electric 2 speed.
Do you know the ratios of the Dana rear?

Any AT545 will have slip in the torque converter. The more load you put on the transmission (like going up a hill or running flat with a higher rear ratio), the more it will slip. That converts engine hp into heat that you have to shed through the radiator.

The MT643 has a locking converter that avoids this problem.
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Old 09-16-2019, 11:20 AM   #9
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Depends on frame width and such. Measure the perch width on both axles.


You'll need to replace U-bolts (not a big deal).. and possibly brake lines/e-brake cables.


If the perches aren't in the correct locations, they are easy enough to cut off and relocate as long as you've got the equipment and welding skills.


May also check overall width (outside of tire/wheel) to make sure they'll be close.
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Old 09-16-2019, 11:46 AM   #10
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Im trying to be able to do 75 without having it to the floor.
What's the ratio in the DANA axle?
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Old 09-16-2019, 11:51 AM   #11
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75 in a full size chassis with an AT545. is likely a recipe for its failure.. you are pushing a Box down the highway... the taller the rear gear the lower the driveshaft speed and higher the potential AT545 slip... == LOTS of heat..
the more weight you try to push faster also equals more converter slip just because of the energuy required to push that box at 75..
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Old 09-17-2019, 04:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
75 in a full size chassis with an AT545. is likely a recipe for its failure.. you are pushing a Box down the highway... the taller the rear gear the lower the driveshaft speed and higher the potential AT545 slip... == LOTS of heat..
the more weight you try to push faster also equals more converter slip just because of the energuy required to push that box at 75..
Yeah... forgot about the AT545 not locking... Such a shitty design... Looking into trannies now.
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Old 09-17-2019, 05:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Necro View Post
Yeah... forgot about the AT545 not locking... Such a shitty design... Looking into trannies now.
Not a shitty design at all, just not designed for what we want it to do. It has no locking converter because the bus was never intended to go long distances at speed. It was designed to do a massive amount of stop and go mileage. For a school bus it is perfect and probably more of them out there than all the others combined.
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Old 10-07-2019, 11:37 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Necro View Post
Yeah... forgot about the AT545 not locking... Such a shitty design... Looking into trannies now.
Yeah that's why when I went bus shopping the trans was what I cared for more than what engine was in it....
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