Crazy conversion idea!?

[cadillackid]

What are your rpm at 110 km? If it’s at or near 2600 then you are out of gears otherwise you need an rp1210 like a nexiq clone and then you download the free servicemaxx j1708 software

Pretty much all the 3900s from late 2000 on got the 9 pin connector as the allison 2000 series transmissions talk J1939 to the ECM.

The diag port to laptop for bluefire, servicemaxx etc will use the j1708 protocol and your trans to engine data is on j1939

The pin out is not OeM it is industry standard , the 9 pin has noth 1708 and 1939 data available. So you can use any tool to read base parameters that supports 1708. The bluefire 9 pin works and then in its software you enable 1708 mode. Bluefire is read only it doesn’t make changes

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by zeeii

It's got air brakes and air suspension with 130000 km (~80000 miles) on the odometer. If anyone can chime in as to the quickest/cheapest way to check the true odometer reading off the diagnostic port that would be very helpful. I have the 9 pin data link - so I am assuming it's using SAE J1939 for communication? I'm a bit confused here as from what I've read they didn't start putting the 9 pins until a few years after I also noticed the H and J pin locations are labelled but no pins inside and after reading the pin designations those pins are OEM defined so I guess they decided to not use those pins? Another thing I noticed while driving was that it seemed to have a speed limiter at around 110 km/h (68mph). Might have to disable that for maximum fun! It also struggled a bit going uphill but I will have to do more testing there.

A BlueFire is a gadget that plugs into your data port and broadcasts on bluetooth to an Android or iOS device (or Windows, I guess). You can get your true mileage this way and also set up a digital dashboard. If you buy direct from the bluefire site (https://bluefire-llc.com/store/9-pin...j1708-adapters) use the code AMAZON for 15% off or something like that (not sure if that code still works, though).

Your 68 mph might be because of a low (numerically high) rear gear ratio rather than a governor. My bus (also a 2003 with DT466e and Allison 2000-series) has a 6.17 rear gearing and 67 mph is as fast as it goes with the RPMs maxed out. If so, the only practical thing you can do to go faster is swap out the rear gearing.

[BeNimble]

Originally Posted by Bus'n it

Let’s wait for BeNimble to jump in on this one! He may say something crazy like go buy a tractor for the job or something like that! Crazy, right?! $hit, I have to say, he ain’t crazy at all…

BeNimble would build a DIY snow plow..here is my 85 Ford Range 4x4 that I was building into a tractor thingy. It is run backwards, rear steer, front is the fixed rear axle. You can see I shortened the frame, the shortened rear section was used for the boom mount (see it behind the engine).
Like many projects the reason for needing it changed before it was finished and I just sold it for the engine. I posted this reply because I noticed I had a pic of it today when looking for another pic. btw, I bought this truck for $50 and sold it for $200, and used the bed for a small trailer which I still have.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by BeNimble

BeNimble would build a DIY snow plow..here is my 85 Ford Range 4x4 that I was building into a tractor thingy. It is run backwards, rear steer, front is the fixed rear axle. You can see I shortened the frame, the shortened rear section was used for the boom mount (see it behind the engine).
Like many projects the reason for needing it changed before it was finished and I just sold it for the engine. I posted this reply because I noticed I had a pic of it today when looking for another pic. btw, I bought this truck for $50 and sold it for $200, and used the bed for a small trailer which I still have.

I had a '58 Dodge with a plow mounted on it. Didn't know the original builder, he left it with a house he sold, and I picked it up helping the new owners move in. Never really needed to use it because I moved to California shortly thereafter. Cool rig. Gave it to a friend who used it as a dedicated snowplow for one of his properties. Love them funky setups.

[o1marc]

School buses typically see 10k miles a year, your seems to be about 100K short of average. You are either very lucky, or your bus has had a speedo replacement that is very common.

[zeeii]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

What are your rpm at 110 km? If it’s at or near 2600 then you are out of gears otherwise you need an rp1210 like a nexiq clone and then you download the free servicemaxx j1708 software

Pretty much all the 3900s from late 2000 on got the 9 pin connector as the allison 2000 series transmissions talk J1939 to the ECM.

The diag port to laptop for bluefire, servicemaxx etc will use the j1708 protocol and your trans to engine data is on j1939

The pin out is not OeM it is industry standard , the 9 pin has noth 1708 and 1939 data available. So you can use any tool to read base parameters that supports 1708. The bluefire 9 pin works and then in its software you enable 1708 mode. Bluefire is read only it doesn’t make changes

Thanks for the explanation. Do either servicemaxx or bluefire also read the engine serial number? I am trying to determine the HP/Torque but both the labels are disintegrated - the one on the valve cover and the one above the oil cooler on the right hand side. Is there another way to find the serial number and determine the engine power ratings?

[zeeii]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

A BlueFire is a gadget that plugs into your data port and broadcasts on bluetooth to an Android or iOS device (or Windows, I guess). You can get your true mileage this way and also set up a digital dashboard. If you buy direct from the bluefire site (https://bluefire-llc.com/store/9-pin...j1708-adapters) use the code AMAZON for 15% off or something like that (not sure if that code still works, though).

Your 68 mph might be because of a low (numerically high) rear gear ratio rather than a governor. My bus (also a 2003 with DT466e and Allison 2000-series) has a 6.17 rear gearing and 67 mph is as fast as it goes with the RPMs maxed out. If so, the only practical thing you can do to go faster is swap out the rear gearing.

Thanks for the link and the code. I think it's likely the rear gearing that's restricting me. I didn't pay too much attention to the rpm. Once I get it registered as a motorhome, I plan to take it out again and will report back with the rpm number.

[zeeii]

Originally Posted by o1marc

School buses typically see 10k miles a year, your seems to be about 100K short of average. You are either very lucky, or your bus has had a speedo replacement that is very common.

I hope it's the former! But more than likely the speedo had a replacement done. I plan to confirm it using one of the data readers.

[84chevyguyid]

Here is a pic of one of our loaders built on a shortened truck frame. Pretty handy machine. Its got a Cat diesel with an Allison trans behind it.

[shorthair]

Probably be cheaper to go rent one and it would be a lot more maneuverable.

[LargeMargeInBaja]

I would need...
.
Engineering required...
.
Manoeuvring...
.
I cannot fathom in my wildest...
.
[has no idea how to say this nicely]

[nevittja]

Here is a picture of our cut-off bus

[zeeii]

Originally Posted by nevittja

Here is a picture of our cut-off bus

Thanks for the pic! I looked through your profile to see a build thread but it looks like you bought the bus this way. Is the end cap welded on or put on by screws on your bus?

[nevittja]

Yes we built the bus but the back was cut and welded. We took it from there. Put the flat bed on and did the inside.