Any thoughts on positioning of automatic shift pad?

belfert · February 19, 2010, 10:38:49 AM

I have a B500 tranny along with the requisite shift pad. I am redoing the dash and the shift pad is currently below the driver's window along with some other controls no longer in use.

Any reason I shouldn't move this to the dash? Is there a good reason to have it below the window? I have only used it a few times while driving to downshift on a grade.

fe2_o3 · February 19, 2010, 04:47:50 PM

My only thought is to put it where it would only be a quick glance from the road to the shifter and back. I wouldn't want to have to look for it or to reach behind me to shift up or down...Cable

buswarrior · February 19, 2010, 06:52:56 PM

My preference is for the shifter to be right under where my hand will fall.

But, I'm a shift-it-yourself driver, both for the HT740 and the B500.

No need to look, the up and downshift buttons can be found by your fingers.

If you have to reach for it, you'll have to look.

FWIW, the latest warning to appear on the newest MCI J model ZF AStronic shifters is to keep the cell phone/similar devices away from the shifter to avoid interference induced malfunction.

These shifters all seem to be the same topside, so maybe something else to wonder about?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

TomC · February 20, 2010, 06:27:33 AM

The natural place is where a stick shift would be. It is where my shifter is on my transit and is used while driving. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · February 20, 2010, 06:33:29 AM

Maybe a problem moving it anywhere you cannot splice the harness on a B500 so I am told by Allison

good luck

belfert · February 20, 2010, 07:16:25 AM

Luckily, the wiring harness is more than long enough to move it. It would interesting to know why the harness can't be spliced.

TomC, wouldn't it be relatively hard to put the shift pad where the stick shift would normally be?

belfert · February 20, 2010, 07:19:03 AM

I think I am just going to leave the shift pad below the driver's window where is at. I looked at pictures of about 15 late model diesel pushers and they all had the shift pad there except one. One had the pad on the dash to the right of the steering wheel.

buswarrior · February 20, 2010, 07:29:48 AM

The MCI D models have the shifter to the right of the driver's seat, but that model also still has a modesty panel that the shifter tower may be installed behind.

happy coaching!
buswarrior