Switching from Manual to Automatic?

[lostagain]

It would probably be cheaper to buy a bus with an automatic. Unless you are looking for a project and enjoy the wrenching...

JC

[luvrbus]

I can understand him wanting to rid himself of the oil clutch 

[TomC]

Big rig trucks are the last vehicles that are still using manual transmissions. Most of the very large companies (like J.B.Hunt, Werner, U.S.Xpess [since 2002], Swift, Schnider, etc) have switched to automated manuals. The new Mercedes-Benz based DT12 for Freightliners, is the most civilized automated transmission I've driven. It has Ecoast which the transmission pushes in the clutch and you coast until you touch anything-like the brake, accelerator, Jake, cruise control. When Allison finally brings out their TC10, twin countershaft 10spd with a torque converter, I think it will blow every other transmission out of the water-but it will be more expensive then other automated transmissions-but not as expensive as the regurlar Allison automatic. For our use, I'd just stick with the regular Allison transmissions. Virtually all buses, trash trucks, military vehicles, off road equipment are now using Allison type transmissions. On road trucks are really the last bastion of vehicles to switch. Good Luck, TomC

[Gwaltnak]

It really comes down to the fact that I want to clean things up and make it easier to drive for both myself and my wife. I love my 4107, and want to keep it, but I also want to make it work for me. Not worried about spending a little more to make it what I want, at least while I still can.

[CrabbyMilton]

Indeed, there are fewer and fewer vehicles that offer manual transmissions. Maybe a few sporty and small car still offer it or smaller suv's and pickups. But if you want a full size American pickup truck, you had better want an automatic because that's all you can have.I think RAM may offer it in the heavy duty with the diesel but FORD and GM is auto only across the board. That's fine with me since I'm an automatic diehard and being a delivery driver for going on 29 years I would hate the idea of stick. Fire trucks have been almost completely automatic for over 40 years and the manual option went away in the 1980's though few actually specified it after 1973 anyway.

[lostagain]

It is interesting to note that the US and Canada are the only countries in the world where vehicles are mostly automatic transmissions. The rest of the planet still happily drives manual cars, buses and trucks. I think it is a culture thing: North Americans have for a long time wanted the easy and convenient. The rest of the world enjoys the more simple aspects of life, where people are more hands on and willing to shift gears for themselves, be more engaged with their daily tasks.

JC

[olebusman]

 Uncle Ned  Huggybear would love a Bill Teal o-drive and so would you. 4106 and I don't shift into o-drive till 65 mph top speed is speedo only goes to 85. Mileage is 8+ mpg with a 6V92 and 9A90 injectors. Try it you'll like it   olebusman

[CrabbyMilton]

Good point Lostagain. But then again if the rest of the world is so wonderful, why did so many come here rather than reverse?
Another reason is that many European automatics were not as good in quality as ALLISON at least the one's they sold here. ZF,VOITH, and RENK had limited sales. VOITH still is offered in some transits but ZF seems to have moved away from fully automatics for buses.

[uncle ned]

I am ready   just how will I get one here on the east coast.

Have heard plenty about them but never seen one.

uncle ned

[olebusman]

Uncle Ned you just build it. It takes some VS2-6 and VS-8 parts and a little work. Bill Gerrie has one also. I'm in Fl. if you want to see one or the build plans. Nothing that will disable the 730 ,only a few holes in the inside of the case and 3 holes through the bellhousing.  olebusman    sorry for the hijack

[Utahclaimjumper]

 When Bill Teal got out of the trans business he sent me ALL the remaining parts he had at that time,(for the cost of shipping) I had enough VS2-8 parts to overhaul or build at least 4 transmissions. When I sold my 4106 5 years ago it all went to the new owner plus a complete set of new brake shoes, S cams, shocks, and misc. parts. I would bet dinner that he still hasn't sorted thru all the "stuff" he has in those large boxes.>>>Dan

[Gwaltnak]

Anybody know of someone trustworthy on the west coast that can completely go through a VR731RH and make it "like new"? Maybe even bulk it up a little?

[luvrbus]

You have a right handed engine in the 4107 I thought the V731RH was a electronic transmission used with right engines in buses like the RTS ?

[Gwaltnak]

Working on a deal with a right handed engine... All depends on the circumstances... But if it does happen, I want to make sure the tranny is dialed in properly.

[RJ]

Anybody know of someone trustworthy on the west coast that can completely go through a VR731RH and make it "like new"?

Where on the West Coast?