Changing Gears

[m-werx]

Hi can we get a number for the shop thanks Darren.

[rdbishop]

Thanks Ray,

This is the kind of information I've been looking for. Thanks again!!!!

Richard

[rayshound]

Wow! in luck, I actually found the receipt for the rear end mod.         I.M.E. Truck
                                                                                             5215 N. McCarty
                                                                                             Houston, Tx. 77013
                                                                                             713-675-1258

invoice date 3/10/2004 man time flies!  If you call them you may reference the invoice # 15350. The total cost for the machine shop (IME) was $1460.54 This price included 2 used axle shafts welding supplies, gear mounting plate, studs, and machine labor. It did not include the cost of the  late model rearend out of an 18 wheeler, it was the (rear) rearend, I bought the whole unit including drums, abs brake sensors etc, for $850.00 but as I discribed earlier all of my mci stuff was reused and the meritor rearend banjo housing, hubs, drums etc were discarded. Hope this answers some of your e-mails and be happy to answer any further questions.  Ray

[rdbishop]

Ray,

You said the running gear was in your bus.  Are you driving the bus, and how in the world did you get that 60 in there?  Are you going to the Texas Round-up? I sure would like to see your set-up.

Richard

[rayshound]

Richard, no the bus is not moving yet. Good things take time! Actually I am reskinning. Also the S-60 would have fit with no lengthing if I would have put the radiator on the side but I choose to have the radiator in the rear like a stick & glue so I extended the rear to hold the radiator & charge air cooler. I have the R&M rear kit which I am making the rear louvers functional. plus 4 long rolls of fiberglass from R&M. to put over metal skin. I'm sorry to say I will not be making the trip. I had really considered it but my job is getting in the way. Hope you all have a good time & I will definately be driving up one day. As a matter of fact I will be retiring in 4 years & we have already made up our minds to full time.   Ray

[rdbishop]

Hi Ray,

I had considered a 60 when I put in the 8v92. It just looked like it would really be tight. I-d still like to see your set-up when time permits. I don't know yet if we are going to make it to the round-up. The rear end guy in houston never called me back friday so I called around s. a. and finally found a place that had done the same thing before. Anyway, they are closed for the weekend so monday morning early, I have to be there with the rear end. I will finish taking it out this morning and get it loaded on the trailer. I then have to build a wood frame for my birthday present (32" flat screen for the bus} that I had to take out of it's case so as to shorten the height. I have parts and pieces all over the kitchen counterand my BOSS says to get it out!!!! I need to get going so we'll talk to later. Hav a good weekend.

Richard

[luvrbus]

Richard, any luck on your gear change missed you at the roundup

[rdbishop]

Hi luvrbus,

I had taken the rear end to a guy in SA that said he could do what I wanted, said he'd get right on it. Icalled after a week and he hadn't done anything..said he needed more time. So I went and picked it up and took it to Houston like I should have done in the first place. These guys said it would take 15 days because of their work load. Sooo here I sit with a---in the air. I really really wanted to make the rally. I even tried to borrow my uncles Eagle, but it needed to much work to get it going. he passed away last year but my aunt said I could use it. The bus has been sitting for 6 years and needed alot. I'll make it next year even if I have to buy another Bus!!!!!!

Richard

[Ncbob]

Because I'm one of the older guys around, with homage paid to those older than me, I wonder if anyone has given much thought to ...the belt drive tag axle?

When I grew up most of the big trucks I knew were chain drive Mack's. Fortunately we outgrew that era. Then came the first tandems. Some were just tag axles to carry the weight and to be legal.  But some enterprising individual came up with the idea that in the winter months, when you might need the additional traction, you could belt from the drivers to the tag and make it a marginal drive axle when needed.

In my  small cynical mind, spending money of changing axle ratios for the reward would seem like chasing the wind. How about finding a way to belt the tag axle to the drive axle for the additional drive.

Changing ratios for better milage seems like poking money down a rat hole. The gains would not be offset by the cost.

FWIW

NCbob

[rdbishop]

NCbob,

This has nothing to do with milage. If I was worried about the cost I would have gotten rid of this money thirsty beast about 30,000 dollars ago. As it is, the rear end was going out and needed fixing anyway. With the setup I have, I was trying to lower my RPM's. So on it goes.

Richard.