Quote:
Originally Posted by brokedown
Awesome work man.
I was one of the people recommending against the Vista up front, probably the only one who has actually owned one, specifically because of the AT545 and your intention to tow your boat up hills. While I believe that most people would not be able to do the work you've done (hell most people on FB can't even change their own oil), you really made it work. Your thread will help a lot of folks who may be considering the same thing, either by showing them what they need to do or revealing it is a bigger job than they can tackle.
The difference between the transmissions is astounding and I know you're feeling it having driven it both ways. Congrats!
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thanks.
I'd actually agree about the vista on some parts. Without Air ride it would be the most bouncy POS out there.
However bus89 was bouncy as hell and driving it home I KNEW the missus would not approve with her back.
What led us to the Vista was the flat front and the Air ride.. I could just see it was the perfect bus for the plan. Flat nose at boat ramps is ideal. And the rear lift for the motorcycle and garage. Brokedown's thread also I gleaned info out of that led to this choice.
I Also wanted a T444E as I am most familiar with IH and the 7.3 out of any other bus stuff out there... Also research shows that parts are plentiful, and mechanics also seem to be more available on a t444E.
I knew about the AT545... I brainstormed in this thread many options... and most of the buses I looked at that were T444E were also AT545
Chris's thread got me thinking. And although I did not understand most of it past page 4 I did glean off that physically A-2000 would fit.
as Chris said Redbyrd was a long time ago... and a different application. I didn't have his skills... I kinda cheated.
What I didn't know was that when they built buses in the years of 99-2002 they used up the last of the AT545 harness on some buses... and so there are some that have A-2000 Transmissions but like mine have an "add on" harness for the A-2000 TCM and Economy switch and whatnot.
So in the end I only had to figure out a couple of wires. And they were power wires not signal or Can-bus wires or anything 3 laptop related.
I think the best thing for anyone contemplating an upgrade in an IH bus would be best to read the redbyrd thread FIRST and then Mine..
combined it shows that there are options to the IH folks with converted buses
and until today we did not know this. I thought for sure I would have a NIGHTMARE of cutting into both harnesses trying to sort it all and that didn't happen.
If you are shopping a 2000-2002 donor bus for this swap look at the A-2000 sensors.... do they plug into the BUS CHASSIS, or do the plugs from the trans sensors go into the bundle, and plugs for the bus chassis dangle. This is the AT545 Adapter set I discovered.
a post note on bus 89: After a trans service and flush the AT545 is running great and pulls awesome vs before.. cheers to those that mentioned old fluid and slippage. New fluid was the trick, and its still a new Reman.
Test drove and it gets about 55 or so no leaks, no issues. It's just a basic bus. And I fixed the dash and a bunch of little things.
I sold it to someone converting to a tiny home. I did not disclose the trans swap, but I did disclose bus 89 trans type and all its pros and cons. She does not plan to fly across country, mostly park. I took payments to help out her as a single mom achieve her dream, and I have been helping her with the rough stuff out front until she pays it off next month. We have removed the seats, I have donated and installed a stereo and a few other things as well.
I like a happy ending
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