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Old 01-10-2015, 03:43 PM   #41
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Bought 3/4" thick rubber horse stall mats from Tractor Supply and fit them to the floor. Sure quieted things down a lot. Also added more insulation to the engine cover. Converted both A/C units to run on the same compressor and the side mounted condensing unit. Bought a junk yard cruise control module so that is fixed. Installed a huge trans cooler from a 6.0 liter Ford Super Duty. Things are working out pretty well
I've got a 96 E 350 with a 7.3 Powerstroke that is really noisy. Could you tell me what kind of insulation you added to the engine cover and was it added to the engine side or the cab side.

Mines not a skoolie but I've been lurking around here trying to get ideas.

Thanks

Tom


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Old 01-11-2015, 08:04 PM   #42
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Inside the engine cover I used a Thermotec heat barrier. Pretty easy since it had an adhesive on it.
On the floor, I removed the rubber floor covering and insulated the floor with a sound/heat barrier about 3/8" or 1/2" thick that was a jute-like material with foil on both sides and then re-installed the rubber mat. Don't have the brand name for it since it was leftover from something I bought years ago. I think I bought it from Summit Racing.
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Old 01-11-2015, 09:19 PM   #43
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Thanks a lot.
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:13 PM   #44
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Update: Just returned from another 2,000 mile Colorado trip about a week ago and love the bus even more. Floor sound deadening was very successful. No real problems except for the A/C has a small leak so I had to add a couple of cans of R-134 during the trip. Drove 62-65 mph and averaged 7.75 mpg. Not great, but not terrible.
Since I got back, I scored a great looking and comfortable set of 4 Captain's chairs (2-front and 2-quick release 2nd row seats) at the local U-Pull-It parts yard.
Also decided that it's time to do the Cummins diesel/ Ford 5 speed automatic swap so I am gathering the rest of the parts to get started on that.
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Old 07-12-2015, 07:45 PM   #45
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Trying to take care of some of the changes to support the Cummins swap. Mounted the dual battery setup on the framerail. Removed the 4.63 rear gears and installed 3.73 rear gears yesterday. I like driving it better with the new gears. This gear set is much quieter.
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Old 07-12-2015, 08:59 PM   #46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidshelton View Post
Update: Just returned from another 2,000 mile Colorado trip about a week ago and love the bus even more. Floor sound deadening was very successful. No real problems except for the A/C has a small leak so I had to add a couple of cans of R-134 during the trip. Drove 62-65 mph and averaged 7.75 mpg. Not great, but not terrible.
Since I got back, I scored a great looking and comfortable set of 4 Captain's chairs (2-front and 2-quick release 2nd row seats) at the local U-Pull-It parts yard.
Also decided that it's time to do the Cummins diesel/ Ford 5 speed automatic swap so I am gathering the rest of the parts to get started on that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidshelton View Post
Trying to take care of some of the changes to support the Cummins swap. Mounted the dual battery setup on the framerail. Removed the 4.63 rear gears and installed 3.73 rear gears yesterday. I like driving it better with the new gears. This gear set is much quieter.
Great news.

You will love the mechanical Cummins.

Nat
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Old 08-23-2015, 05:34 AM   #47
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I still haven't started the Cummins conversion yet as I am waiting for cooler weather. Been working on the A/C system. Replaced O-Rings, Drier, Sightglass, Accumulator, and orifice tube. Then evacuated the systom for 5 1/2 hours, checked for leaks for 2 hours and re-charged. It now blows pretty cold!! I still think I need a little more compressor capacity, so I am going with a larger size compressor when I do the Cummins swap, but it's pretty darn good for now. Yesterday I took all of the family on a little 200+ mile trip in the bus to see how all of my little changes worked out.
Let me start by saying that the rear gear change is the best thing I have done! Yes, it is a very little down on power, but not enough to really matter. Fuel mileage at 65mph went from about 8 to a little over 10mpg (25% improvement!!!!) Also the engine is a bit quieter turning the slower rpms. Also the A/C works well. All in all a good day with good results. I'm liking this bus more and more!!!!
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Old 08-23-2015, 05:40 AM   #48
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Thought I would try and add a picture
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Old 08-23-2015, 08:56 AM   #49
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Nice package! --- Is that a rotary pump model? And I see the tranny came with the driveline brake. Sweet. I'm guessing you might be able to double your mpg with that set up.
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Old 08-23-2015, 04:02 PM   #50
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Yes, the Cummins engine is from an low mileage Intercooled 91.5 Dodge. I turned the pump up a touch, replaced the fuel pin, governor spring, installed a larger turbo, and changed valve springs for a little more power. The 5R110 trans is from a 2006 6.0 diesel Ford. I had to add the driveline brake. It just so happens that it bolts right on to a 4WD transmission after you unbolt and remove the transfer case.
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Old 08-23-2015, 04:15 PM   #51
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I have to chop out and re-construct my main frame crossmember in order to mount a park brake on the rear of my Allison. Hope you have a better clearance situation on your rig.
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Old 08-23-2015, 06:04 PM   #52
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The trans in the bus now already has a driveline brake on it, so other than moving the crossmember back about 3"to 4" everything should clear. I think the same cable will work too.
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Old 08-23-2015, 07:18 PM   #53
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I had hoped to just move my existing crossmember back as you described, but the way it is riveted, I can't see any way to get about half the old hot-bucked rivets out. And to be honest...making a replacement makes me a bit nervous.
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Old 08-23-2015, 07:35 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidshelton View Post
Yes, the Cummins engine is from an low mileage Intercooled 91.5 Dodge. I turned the pump up a touch, replaced the fuel pin, governor spring, installed a larger turbo, and changed valve springs for a little more power. The 5R110 trans is from a 2006 6.0 diesel Ford. I had to add the driveline brake. It just so happens that it bolts right on to a 4WD transmission after you unbolt and remove the transfer case.
What are you using for a computer for the 5R110? What kit did you use to connect the two?
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Old 08-29-2015, 06:38 AM   #55
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The engine/trans adapter is from Diesel Conversion Specialists. We are using a Ford computer from an 04 F350 with stand alone wiring to operate the transmission.
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Old 04-11-2016, 10:00 AM   #56
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A lot of things have happened since the last update. I swapped in the Cummins and 5R110 Automatic trans. Took a few different "tunes" from my Trans tuner guru to get the transmission working well. Managed to get all of the instruments and cruise control working.
I really like the results. Getting about 12-14 mpg now vs. the 7mpg the 460 gas engine got. Raised the front end about 1 1/2" to 2" to level things up. Went to a larger TM-21 A/C compressor. Made several changes to insulate the noise from the firewall/engine cover area. Even added a TV and DVD player for my passenger (wife) to enjoy. This has become my favorite vehicle! I even drive it to work at least one day a week.
Now that all of the bugs are worked out I am starting on the paint work. Painted the sides Gray and black. Still have to paint the back and front gray and maybe add a stripe or 2 for color.
I'll try to add a couple of pictures later.
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Old 04-11-2016, 11:01 AM   #57
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No camo buses?
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Old 04-11-2016, 11:36 AM   #58
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No camo buses?
Camo is just a little too Redneck for me.
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Old 04-11-2016, 11:44 AM   #59
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what a kickass build! good call on the TM-21. I did the calculations for my Bus and to drive the custom dash air I'll build-in plus a rear unit.. a 10cid compressor just doesnt cut it for dual air.. esp at idle or the lower RPM;s a Diesel runs compared to the 460 on the highway.. did you put outside vents in your A/C so you dont get over-come with gasoline fumes when the cobra is in the back..

I helped a guy with a Car-hauler a few years ago and his biggest nemesis was as he drove, the gas in the "toy" sloshed around and would create fumes from the tank vent.. so I had to fashion outside air intakes on the A/C evaporators to bring in some fresh air... we made them closeable so when he was running it without his car in the back it cooled better..

-Christopher
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Old 04-11-2016, 12:14 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidshelton View Post
A lot of things have happened since the last update. I swapped in the Cummins and 5R110 Automatic trans. Took a few different "tunes" from my Trans tuner guru to get the transmission working well. Managed to get all of the instruments and cruise control working.
I really like the results. Getting about 12-14 mpg now vs. the 7mpg the 460 gas engine got. Raised the front end about 1 1/2" to 2" to level things up. Went to a larger TM-21 A/C compressor. Made several changes to insulate the noise from the firewall/engine cover area. Even added a TV and DVD player for my passenger (wife) to enjoy. This has become my favorite vehicle! I even drive it to work at least one day a week.
Now that all of the bugs are worked out I am starting on the paint work. Painted the sides Gray and black. Still have to paint the back and front gray and maybe add a stripe or 2 for color.
I'll try to add a couple of pictures later.
Really??? Oh yeah the Cummins is in. Where are the pictures? Do you have a thread about the install. We want pictures. How hard was the install?
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