multiple TC2000 - Page 3

PNW_Steve · 02-14-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokedown

Here's what I'm talking about. This was the second step after I popped the pins with the pointy chisel tool which was about the same speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTndp9zYAUE

That is how the ceiling my BB went. I did have to spend quite a bit of time waiting on my compressor to catch up. Even with that it took me about 4 1/2 hours to pull all of the ceiling panels.

Robin97396 · 02-14-2018, 05:48 PM

It took me forever to pull the first couple panels, then the rest of them came off quick. Like they say, just when you start getting good at one particular job it ends.

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

I called ALLISON, they first didn't know the answer other than he didn't think there was one, but the MT started with the 6 series. He then switched me to someone who could better answer my question, got voice mail and didn't wait. forgive me if you felt slighted after your reply, but my reply was merely asking you how you explain all the contradictory info. One offered typo as an explanation,which
i would have bought if it were only one instance that it happened, but it was multiple sites using the designation. Hell for a second I thought they had a manual 545.

The search is going slow but full speed ahead. You say " just a BBAA" as though it is inferior to a Thomas. While there are features I like on the Thomas, I didn't really think the BBAA was a lesser bus. There's plenty out there if I'm willing to settle for a 5.9/545, which at this point for my first build, I am not. I want an 8.3 in one of those buses, chances are it will have the correct tranny if it has that motor.

Thomas is my least favorite bus maker, FWIW. BBAA is about as good as it gets. Or a nice IC/AmTran.

PNW_Steve · 02-14-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Thomas is my least favorite bus maker, FWIW. BBAA is about as good as it gets. Or a nice IC/AmTran.

I cannot disagree. All American rules!

Maybe that is cause I own one.....

Twigg · 02-14-2018, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I cannot disagree. All American rules!

Maybe that is cause I own one.....

I have a very solid Saf-T-Liner and I can't find anything to complain about. It was spec'd pretty high when new, and it's all held together.

brokedown · 02-14-2018, 08:09 PM

My air system keeps up with the chisel pretty damn well. The cutoff wheel and grinder tools you have to let it catch up with....

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

I have a very solid Saf-T-Liner and I can't find anything to complain about. It was spec'd pretty high when new, and it's all held together.

All the school buses are built more or less as well as each other... My liking Thomas the least is purely just personal preference.
I wish no one any offense, I promise!

I've bid on at least a dozen Thomas buses and my first bus was a Thomas.
But Chris' Redbyrd is probably the nicest bus I've ever ridden in.

Twigg · 02-14-2018, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

All the school buses are built more or less as well as each other... My liking Thomas the least is purely just personal preference.
I wish no one any offense, I promise!

I've bid on at least a dozen Thomas buses and my first bus was a Thomas.
But Chris' Redbyrd is probably the nicest bus I've ever ridden in.

lol ... I wasn't offended.

We hear more about Blue Birds, and I looked at a good number ... AmTrans too.

If you are contemplating a roof-raise, I wouldn't recommend a Thomas. But there are a lot of high ceiling Thomas' around and if you go that way they have a number of advantages.

Especially the ones with a Cummins 6CTA and MD3060 ... Yeah, now I'm showing off.

Did I mention ... no rust

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

lol ... I wasn't offended.

We hear more about Blue Birds, and I looked at a good number ... AmTrans too.

If you are contemplating a roof-raise, I wouldn't recommend a Thomas. But there are a lot of high ceiling Thomas' around and if you go that way they have a number of advantages.

Especially the ones with a Cummins 6CTA and MD3060 ... Yeah, now I'm showing off.

Did I mention ... no rust

For me the "one that got away" was a 230hp 5.9 with 3060 in a Thomas shorty out in Colorado. I think it even had a retarder.

BennysTire · 02-15-2018, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

What's the difference between an AT545 and an MT545?

Answer:

Google "AT545" and not far down the list is "Why it sucks..."
"How to swap out..."
"Transmissions to avoid..."
"ATxxx bad, MTxxx good"

Google "MT545" and you get...
"Starts every time, very clean, Allison transmission...NO RESERVE!!!"
"Ran when parked..."
"Sorry, no photos available..."

It's easier to make a sale if you "accidentally" make a typo.[emoji6]

Sent from my E6883 using Tapatalk

PNW_Steve · 02-15-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

I have a very solid Saf-T-Liner and I can't find anything to complain about. It was spec'd pretty high when new, and it's all held together.

I have a Thomas in my driveway as well. No disrespect to Thomas.

Twigg · 02-15-2018, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennysTire

Answer:

Google "AT545" and not far down the list is "Why it sucks..."
"How to swap out..."
"Transmissions to avoid..."
"ATxxx bad, MTxxx good"

Google "MT545" and you get...
"Starts every time, very clean, Allison transmission...NO RESERVE!!!"
"Ran when parked..."
"Sorry, no photos available..."

It's easier to make a sale if you "accidentally" make a typo.[emoji6]

Sent from my E6883 using Tapatalk

From the deluge of criticism of the Allison AT545, and not just on this Forum, it would be easy to conclude that Allison just built a dog of a transmission, then forced millions of units on an unsuspecting nation

So let's all remind ourselves that it didn't happen like that.

The AT545 was designed to do a job, at an economical price, and it does that job exceeding well. As a result it has been the chosen transmission for a great number of lower-powered school buses.

If a vehicle is running stop/start on very short-haul journeys, it doesn't need overdrive. That same vehicle would see very few benefits from a locking torque convertor. They don't haul much weight, and they have comparatively low-torque engines.

The benefit is that they are a good deal cheaper than the higher spec'd units, and school districts jealously guard the public money they spend.

So for the purpose the transmission is bought for, the AT545 has been a phemomenal success, and rightly so.

This gives us a bit of a problem because we want to take that vehicle and use it for an entirely different purpose, and in those circumstances the AT545 becomes the least good choice.

It gets a little tiresome answering the same questions both here and in other places ... Which is the best engine? What's the best transmission, what about an FD Ratio?

The only smart answer to any of those questions is "For what?"

Tell us how you want to use it. What kind of vehicle and where will you take it? Will it be required to tow, or go over mountains? Once those questions are answered you can be pointed in the right direction.

And Benny ... I know you know this stuff. This was for others who read what we post.

Jdawgsfanasty · 02-15-2018, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

All the school buses are built more or less as well as each other... My liking Thomas the least is purely just personal preference.
I wish no one any offense, I promise!

I've bid on at least a dozen Thomas buses and my first bus was a Thomas.
But Chris' Redbyrd is probably the nicest bus I've ever ridden in.

I like Chris' displays

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk