New to Skoolies, and excited!

MarmotWA

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2024
Posts
3
Location
Seattle
Hello folks, I'm Marmot, and I purchased a used 2007 Shuttle bus with a Ford F350 6.0 L engine, in January 2024. I'm starting to convert to a camper. I'm a total newbie, need all the help I can get. Plus I'm on a bit of a deadline - I need to be camping ready - at least basic camping - by mid July 2024.

cheers!
 
Welcome and congratulations! 2007 was about when Ford got their 4R100 transmission issues sorted so you should be good there. Also the 6.0 was pretty sorted by its final year too so you should have a good platform. All around good choice imho so have fun with her!
 
Welcome and congratulations! 2007 was about when Ford got their 4R100 transmission issues sorted so you should be good there. Also the 6.0 was pretty sorted by its final year too so you should have a good platform. All around good choice imho so have fun with her!


they werent running the 5R110 yet in 2007?
 
they werent running the 5R110 yet in 2007?

I think you are right, they replaced the troubled 4R100 with that newer transmission around that time. Everyone I knew with the earlier 4R100 trans had issues, including myself, so the 5R100 was no doubt a complete redesign for the fix. I referenced the 4R100 because I have in 2 vehicles with them, a 2000 F250 and a 2004 E450 cutaway shuttle bus.

Thanks for catching that!
 
I think you are right, they replaced the troubled 4R100 with that newer transmission around that time. Everyone I knew with the earlier 4R100 trans had issues, including myself, so the 5R100 was no doubt a complete redesign for the fix. I referenced the 4R100 because I have in 2 vehicles with them, a 2000 F250 and a 2004 E450 cutaway shuttle bus.

Thanks for catching that!


the 4R100 could be buint into a beast of a transmission.. I know people pushing 500 HP through them but they were not stock.. I never heard of people buulding up the 5R to be so beastly but it seemed to be better and more reliable as far as a stock unit.. and maybe transgo and sonnax made kits for the 5R, not sure.. I dabbled in the 4AOD stuff a little but most of my tranny experience was with GM's. (TH350/400) and into the 700 / 4L60(e) a bit. and unless an internal filter change increases my line pressure a built, i'll soon be building an allison AT540.. considering it appears to hsve never been cracked open since its 1977 build date, id guess that the apply pistons seals are probably done for.. it still works just runs low pressure hot. ive had those apart before.. they are somewhat similar to a TH400 inside.. (torque converters are swappable between the 2 even).
 
the 4R100 could be buint into a beast of a transmission.. I know people pushing 500 HP through them but they were not stock.. I never heard of people buulding up the 5R to be so beastly but it seemed to be better and more reliable as far as a stock unit.. and maybe transgo and sonnax made kits for the 5R, not sure.. I dabbled in the 4AOD stuff a little but most of my tranny experience was with GM's. (TH350/400) and into the 700 / 4L60(e) a bit. and unless an internal filter change increases my line pressure a built, i'll soon be building an allison AT540.. considering it appears to hsve never been cracked open since its 1977 build date, id guess that the apply pistons seals are probably done for.. it still works just runs low pressure hot. ive had those apart before.. they are somewhat similar to a TH400 inside.. (torque converters are swappable between the 2 even).


Oh come on certainly you want to replace the AT540 with a 6 speed, have an MT 40 just waiting for you....
 
Oh come on certainly you want to replace the AT540 with a 6 speed, have an MT 40 just waiting for you....




ive never seen an SAE2 Housing for an SV only an MV engine. but I would really miss the iconic AT540 sound .. that bus is a sister to one I rode to school
 
How many miles does it have, and do you have maintenance records? I have an ‘05 excursion with the same engine and transmission. They’ll last a good long while with proper maintenance. Read up on the engine, and issues it could have. In a nutshell, from what I researched when I got mine, they used silica based coolant, and if not changed as recommended it could break down and plug the oil cooler, thereby starving the egr cooler, causing it to overheat and break. Coolant would then get in the intake and blow the head gasket. As far as the transmission, if it’s like mine, it takes motorcraft SP fluid. Every 30k miles take the plug out and drain what’s in the pan, change the little secondary filter, top off with 8 quarts of fluid, and keep driving it.
 
Congrats! I’m right there with you. Picking up my skoolie on Wednesday and also sort of on a deadline. Looking to be built enough by September. Also a complete newbie!
 

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