Allison MD3060 unlock tutorial

[concrete]

Originally Posted by enigmamdw

Im having trouble re-finding my source, so take it with a grain of 'who cares' but "later model" MD3060s have a max HP/TQ spec of 350/1100. I found it on Allison's site, deep in some PDFs, which are on my other computer. Don't know if this is helpful for your situation. If not, ignore.

Try Googling “Allison 5th Gen Vocational Model Guide“
I downloaded the 2017 version, mostly out of curiosity ��.
It has a TON of specs for all manner of newer Allison trannies. And Yes, some of the newer 3000 series do have higher hp/tq ratings.

[PoppaSmurff]

Just wanted to post here with some info for unlocking our MD3060, I contacted Expresss Equiptment in Va, The gentleman there unlocked mine for 400.00. I had to remove the TCM and ship it but other than that no problems. Not sure of the system he used but it would seems he clones the programing from another TCM.

[cadillackid]

I got into a con versation online with someone a week ago or so and what he used to do was he had a contact at an allison dealer who had all of the certifications known to man.. he would download the CIN from allison and make the changes.. apparently if you have the top level of PCCS and allison login (dealer level) you can program the shift points.. when the changes are submitted, allison's CIN records are updated and a new calibration is created that can then be loaded to the TCM (or any TCM of the same type and OS) using the normal PCCS program.. or for those of us without dealer contacts the Winrw32 program which is a sub-program of the PCCS...



that particular contact retired and no longer has a login.. sounds like dealers pay allison per user they have on their system and each dealer must keep sending at least one or 2 of their techs to continuing online or in-person classes for them to keep their high level logins.. thus why 3rd parties or even hackers cant simply crack the software and send it around the forums..



once you gain a library of calibration files for enough TCMs.. and keep good records of them in regards to engine, gearing vehicle type, shifter, network, throttle, etc youi would be able to "sell" your services unlocking 6th gear even without an allison dealer connection.



im sure these guys pay their dealer contact something to keep it all going..



I still believe that liability plays a big part in why allison dealers are reluctant to do custom programming.. unfortunately in the USA we are a very litigious society.. everyone is looking for a free payday without working for it.. so each and every accident or mishap seems to end in lawsuits.. if an allison dealer just has to say "no" to a paltry $300 or $400 and keep it easy thats what they do.. (esp when a medium / heavy duty rebuild will grab them upwards of 10k plus)

[TaliaDPerkins]

Originally Posted by PoppaSmurff

Just wanted to post here with some info for unlocking our MD3060, I contacted Expresss Equiptment in Va, The gentleman there unlocked mine for 400.00. I had to remove the TCM and ship it but other than that no problems. Not sure of the system he used but it would seems he clones the programing from another TCM.

Could you please carefully retype their business' name?


Or it this their website ?


https://www.eets.biz

[PoppaSmurff]

I found them on Facebook. Express Equipment Sales. They sell alot of busses for the skoolie market.

[TaliaDPerkins]

Originally Posted by PoppaSmurff

I found them on Facebook. Express Equipment Sales. They sell alot of busses for the skoolie market.

Thank you!

[PoppaSmurff]

Sure thing.

[skoontz]

So, I have joined the club! Yet another 6th gear unlock from Express Equipment Sales. He does it the same way cadillackid described. You can drive to his location in VA, or ship the TCM to him. It did take a few tries to get the right file, but he was willing to work with me to find the right config file. Now, I have 6 gears, and the transmission shifts properly. I don't think he has a website (besides on Facebook), but his contact info is below:

Express Equipment Sales
Charlie Ball
571-251-5811
cballexpressauto@aol.com

[TaliaDPerkins]

Originally Posted by skoontz

So, I have joined the club! Yet another 6th gear unlock from Express Equipment Sales. He does it the same way cadillackid described. You can drive to his location in VA, or ship the TCM to him. It did take a few tries to get the right file, but he was willing to work with me to find the right config file. Now, I have 6 gears, and the transmission shifts properly. I don't think he has a website (besides on Facebook), but his contact info is below:

Express Equipment Sales
Charlie Ball
571-251-5811
cballexpressauto@aol.com

Do you have a Blue and Yellow vehicles and a toad? Went through Boyce, VA at very roughly noon a few days ago? If so, I saw you

[skoontz]

Nope, not me. I am in Alabama. I shipped my TCM to him. Hope it was someone having fun though.

[PoppaSmurff]

First run after unlock!!!!! What a differance!!

[Scott_funkhouser]

I found a guy on Facebook. You send him your tcm and he reprograms it for all 6 gears and sends it back. $400. He can also change the bus' governed speed in the ecm. He doesn't want his name spread all over so DM me if you're interested. It is irresponsible abs probably illegal to drive your bus faster than the speed rating on the tires. Fwiw

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

@skoonts & @poppasmurf - approx how long did the job take from shipping to receiving your TCM?

@Skoontz - did you have to ship the TCM back and forth to get it right? Or was he able to troubleshoot all on his end?

I appreciate yall sharing this info! Getting ready to make the jump to 6th on our '95 3800 MD3060, I have a trip coming up mid-July and would really love to get above 60mph lol

[PoppaSmurff]

It took about a week maybe , it was plug and play no back and forth. Very happy with it.

[1dmpo]

Originally Posted by A_Bus_Called_Quest

@skoonts & @poppasmurf - approx how long did the job take from shipping to receiving your TCM?

@Skoontz - did you have to ship the TCM back and forth to get it right? Or was he able to troubleshoot all on his end?

I appreciate yall sharing this info! Getting ready to make the jump to 6th on our '95 3800 MD3060, I have a trip coming up mid-July and would really love to get above 60mph lol

Just unlocking sixth gear may not be the answer. If the ECM has the governor set at 60mph the 5 or 6 gears won't matter. I had 6th unlocked on mine and it still only ran 65 mph, it would do that in fifth. I had to take it to a Cat shop and have the ECM reset and the governor set from 65 to 100 and then it would run out at 85mph, which is to darn fast in a 40' flatnose bus but I did find the sweet spot was 70 on the interstate. So unlock 6th gear and then take it to International and have the ECM set for the maximum that your dt466 will run and just use your common sense to run down the road at a decent speed getting the best fuel mileage.

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

Originally Posted by 1dmpo

Just unlocking sixth gear may not be the answer. If the ECM has the governor set at 60mph the 5 or 6 gears won't matter. I had 6th unlocked on mine and it still only ran 65 mph, it would do that in fifth. I had to take it to a Cat shop and have the ECM reset and the governor set from 65 to 100 and then it would run out at 85mph, which is to darn fast in a 40' flatnose bus but I did find the sweet spot was 70 on the interstate. So unlock 6th gear and then take it to International and have the ECM set for the maximum that your dt466 will run and just use your common sense to run down the road at a decent speed getting the best fuel mileage.

Good to know about the governor - my local W.W. Williams will do the unlock and reset for $300 - $400 but requires the manufacturer's approval letter. We have a BlueBird body and I've heard they don't give out approvals very easily - if at all. I am going to try that route first, as I would rather take it to a local shop so I have some recourse if anything goes wrong.

[concrete]

Originally Posted by 1dmpo

Just unlocking sixth gear may not be the answer. If the ECM has the governor set at 60mph the 5 or 6 gears won't matter. I had 6th unlocked on mine and it still only ran 65 mph, it would do that in fifth. I had to take it to a Cat shop and have the ECM reset and the governor set from 65 to 100 and then it would run out at 85mph, which is to darn fast in a 40' flatnose bus but I did find the sweet spot was 70 on the interstate. So unlock 6th gear and then take it to International and have the ECM set for the maximum that your dt466 will run and just use your common sense to run down the road at a decent speed getting the best fuel mileage.

Important point!
But this should only apply to ENGINES with electronic controls.
For those with the older, mechanical injection pumps this shouldn’t be a problem as the engine has no ECM: max engine speed is determined by the settings on the mechanical injection pump which is oblivious to road speed.

For International DT466 engines the change from mechanical to electronic happened from about 1996-98; both engines were available for a period. I’ve heard the DT466E was available even in 1995, but can’t confirm that.

“A bus called Quest” should have the mechanical version.

And you’re right on- just because you CAN go faster doesn’t mean you should. But it is nice to have the option, especially for passing.

[PoppaSmurff]

I don't go faster, but having the 6tb gear sure helps with fuel !!!°

[skoontz]

Originally Posted by A_Bus_Called_Quest

@skoonts & @poppasmurf - approx how long did the job take from shipping to receiving your TCM?

@Skoontz - did you have to ship the TCM back and forth to get it right? Or was he able to troubleshoot all on his end?

I appreciate yall sharing this info! Getting ready to make the jump to 6th on our '95 3800 MD3060, I have a trip coming up mid-July and would really love to get above 60mph lol

Mine took longer because my transmission is actually a 3000PTS transmission, which is subtly different. It took 3 tries to find the right calibration file. I ended up with an MD3060 file, which works well. If yours is a MD3060, it should be more straight forward. Reach out to Charlie to make sure. On the TCM, there should be a label. If you can snap a picture to send to Charlie, it might help him ID the right file.

And, as stated elsewhere, you will still need to have the ECM reconfigured if you are governed. While I have 6 gears, I have not had the ECM reconfigured, so I am still limited to 55. In mine, 5th gear runs 2100 @55mph, and 6th gear runs about 1900@55mph. That extra 200 rpm should let me cruise at about 2100@65mph once I reconfigure the ECM.

[BigFireTruck]

Originally Posted by A_Bus_Called_Quest

Good to know about the governor - my local W.W. Williams will do the unlock and reset for $300 - $400 but requires the manufacturer's approval letter. We have a BlueBird body and I've heard they don't give out approvals very easily - if at all. I am going to try that route first, as I would rather take it to a local shop so I have some recourse if anything goes wrong.

I know this was awhile ago, but how'd it work out for you?