4 speed + H and L?

[the_experience03]

Your 1lo-1hi-2lo-2hi, etc pattern is correct for all the two speed rear ends I've ever seen. If it were a range box within the transmission, chances are you'ds go through all the gears, shift ranges, and go back through them again. I honestly think that you could probably leave it in high range most of the time. Just because you have 8 ratios doesn't mean you need to use them. I am pretty jealous though .

As for needing the clutch...I drove a bus with a New Process 534 (I believe) transmission....might be the same one you have. Like all those big truck trannies, it was unsycnrhonized so it required double clutching. Once I got a feel for the "sweet spot" double clutching, it was nothing to shift without the clutch...let the engine wind down here, give the throttle a blip there...

As for getting back into low range when coming to a stop...We had issue with that other bus too. If you have a countershaft brake (clutch-brake), you might want to try engaging that when you are at a COMPLETE stop. I don't know that that will help at all, but it's worth a shot. The other thing I would do is when you're stopped, let the clutch out in neutral. Usually this is the difference between clash and mesh in the reverse gear of most transmissions (I've yet to see a synchronized reverse...you are essentially doiuble clutching reverse). It's frustrating because the rear and is shifted by a motor that has no feeling. A hydraulic shifter for the rear end might atleast allow you some feel for the gears...anyway....try that and maybe someone else will pipe in with a suggestion or trick they've learned in their experiences if it doesn't work.

[lapeer20m]

one of our old fire trucks had a 5 speed transmission with a high and low knob.

we drove it in low 1,2,3,4,5, then high, 1,2,3,4,5 (6,7,8,9,10)

that truck had a 2 speed transmission, not a 2 speed rear end.

I never used the clutch on this truck once i started out in 1st gear. It was an unsynchronized transmission.

i'm not too knowledgable about fixing transmissions, but one thing i would check when it come to the grinding between low and high is that the air line going to the transmission is not leaking, and that the valve is making air go in the direction it is designed to go.

[Steve]

Your bus probably is syncroed in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. You should be clutching between switching rear end gears. (My bus came a complicated set of scenarios on how to use it but I just always clutch it)

On my bus I will usually go Low 2, 3, 4 High 4 in the city and when out on the highways I just go High 2, 3, 4

First gear is so low that I hate having to change gear right after getting going, especially when making a corner and trying to watch the other cars so I normally just start in 2nd unless I'm manuvering a parking lot.

[lapeer20m]

one more thing....since you don't have air brakes, it could be an electric gizmo that changes you from high to low range

[the_experience03]

That's what I was figuring on, Jason. That bus I drove had an electric motor. Granted it was a Ford chassis with a 370 gasser, the axles, transmissions, etc interchange pretty universally since they aren't made by the vehicle manufacturer. His was a treat with some really corroded wiring...