The state of the bus (long)

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:15 pm

Yeah, I'd agree with the above. I'd also add that any of these is going to be at least a little bit of a "money pit", though. I honestly doubt we're going to buy anything that gets this kind of use (infrequent but pretty hard) and not spend around $2k per year on it. So if we can average that with this bus *and* keep everything working well, I really think it's a fine choice. Especially since the transmission thing was more "accident" than "normal wear and tear." I did not know that originally.

I doubt there are many better options out there other than bigger versions of the same shuttle bus, and anything bigger *and* newer is going to cost a LOT more. The really good part about it is those windows, and you just don't find that much in those trucks without getting a shuttle. I *hate* the idea of a big straight truck like Triangle has, even customized with windows. You just can't get enough in there, IMHO, to make it *good* for T&S.

Even a motorhome would suck in that regard. And unfortunately a motorhome really doesn't help with the lodging portion of costs since you can't stay on site at most of our sites anyway (perhaps ALL of our sites). Add to that the hotel room the club pays for at each event would probably cost about the same as the maintenance on the additional "living" items of a motorhome. I've owned several now...they are annoying to maintain at best.

--Donnie

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:22 pm

So Mike and I spoke on the phone about the bus earlier. At the present time, I'd say as long as folks who drive it are nice to the transmission, as described in my original post, we can make it through the remainder of the season at the very least.

It occurs to me also that maybe a trans modification might be in order with the current transmission. If I understand them correctly, they increase line pressure. Shifts will become decidedly firm, which for our application is a good thing. I tried to get Banks Engineering on the phone but got a machine instead. So I looked up Bully Dog, and for 90 bucks, something like this

http://www.bullydog.com/shopping/pgm-mo ... num=1&=SID

Seems like it may be a worthwhile experiment. What remains unclear to me is whether or not these kits would in fact help us, or exacerbate the existing problem. I'll try and get some answers on that one this week.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Thanks Karl -- please do keep doing some research and let us know what you find out. You're far more of an expert on these trannys than I am!!

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:39 pm

I have never been a fan of pulling a trailer with the vehicle in overdrive because of it working the trans to much.

Also does the van have a trans cooler??? if so is there room for a bigger one so it doesnt get too hot?

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

jeremy gast wrote:

I have never been a fan of pulling a trailer with the vehicle in overdrive because of it working the trans to much.

Also does the van have a trans cooler??? if so is there room for a bigger one so it doesnt get too hot?

That's pretty much the rule when pulling a horse trailer - my rig is too old for OD, but when I drive someone else's I *always* turn OD off.

Dump some Lucas Oil trans fix in there :wink:

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:50 pm

I don't subscribe to the "always turn off OD when trailering" theory. I only do it if the load is sufficient to cause the transmission to do excessive shifting. If you can put it in OD and the thing rarely needs to downshift and you're able to hold your target speed without issue, then I don't see a reason to think the tranny is overworking in any way. If that isn't the case then obviously you should probably turn OD off. And then buy a bigger tow rig.

--Donnie

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:59 pm

The manual for the 4Runner specifically says to tow in 4th gear instead of OD. Of course, it is a relatively small vehicle for towing.

JamesFeinberg · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:14 pm

I have a little experience with shift kits. I installed one in my Ford AOD in the Volvo and while the shifts are definitely more firm, it isn't too bad. Most of the time you don't really notice it and if you need to be extra smooth for some reason (like Mom is riding along), you can modulate the throttle slightly on the shift and it winds up being very close to stock.

It is my understanding from the research I did into the shift kits is that it is actually *better* for the transmission. Apparently most of the sloppiness we feel in auto-trannys is simply to cater to the average driver that wants a smooth ride. There is a ton of extra clutch-plate slippage when the transmission is trying to shift smoothly which leads to extra heat and an earlier breakdown of the transmission fluid.

I'm guessing that given the fact that the club's "bus" original primary use was to carry people around, there is a ton of unneeded "smoothness" built into the transmission. I'd be curious to hear what you turn up in your research, Karl.

Jim

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:20 pm

If it takes a $100 kit to make the bus happy, where do we send the $.

Thanks for hunting this down Karl. I am totally ignorant about towing and transmissions.

Ron Spencer · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:24 pm

Coming late to the party but it seems that Mike W has already thought about a long term plan. Mike have you put together one of your famous spread sheets on what the desired capabilities of a "new" THSCC bus should have? If not perhaps that's a task for someone to take on.

If we have such a list then we can ask folks to start keeping an eye out for something that meets 90% or so of what we are looking for. Instead of waiting to buy when we think its time we could buy when a good opportunity presents itself and then deal with fixing the present bus. We could then do whatever upgrades were needed/ wanted for the new bus while still using the old bus.

Just my way of nosing in here........

Ron

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Forgive a noob for always putting his 2cents in :lol:

-

Considering how miserably f-ing hot it was on Sunday, couldn't the club get a retractable awning for the trailer? That would cover one of the things wanted from an RV, and it would be there no matter what tow vehicle is used.

David Teague · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:46 pm

KendtEklund wrote:

Considering how miserably f-ing hot it was on Sunday, couldn't the club get a retractable awning for the trailer? .

Kendt made a funny...

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

David Teague wrote:

KendtEklund wrote:

Considering how miserably f-ing hot it was on Sunday, couldn't the club get a retractable awning for the trailer? .

Kendt made a funny...

Is there a history here - or was I just so heatstroked that I didn't notice there was one or something?

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

KendtEklund wrote:

David Teague wrote:

KendtEklund wrote:

Considering how miserably f-ing hot it was on Sunday, couldn't the club get a retractable awning for the trailer? .

Kendt made a funny...

Is there a history here - or was I just so heatstroked that I didn't notice there was one or something?

This should be sticky and mandatory reading for noobs. ;-)

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Me shut up now

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The state of the bus (long)

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