Schoolie

[jonb8]

After a couple summers of enjoying the teardrop it's time for something bigger for the longer trips... Then flat tow the jeep instead of it being the tow pig.... I finally got a gravel pad done around back in front of the garage so it's time to start..... I'm kinda jazzed on this one because unlike the teardrop I don't have to worry about strength or it leaking...LOL

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

What engine and transmission?

 

[jonb8]

466 and an Allison

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

466 is a good engine.

Which allison? 545 or 1/2k model

 

[jonb8]

Not really sure, I haven't ran the numbers on the transmission yet.. I'm sure it's the 545, I should do that today so I know for sure.

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

If its a 545 I would recommend switching it out. It doesn't have OD or lockup converter. The 545's are noted for very loose torque converters.
A 5 or 6 speed Allison would give you OD with a lockup converter. Much better options for that engine and the size of the rig.

A fast way to tell. If it does not have a trans oil filter on the driver side of the trans. By the bell housing. Its most likely a 545.

 

[jonb8]

I crawled under it today and it has the Allison MT 643,,, I'm pretty jazzed up now, I always assumed I had a 545 and wasn't looking forward to swapping it out. I was going to buy the bus either way because everything else was exactly what I wanted.

 

[KennethW]

You could beaver tail the back and load the Jeep. Then put beds over the hood. Just a thought.

 

[jonb8]

Gotta have a bathroom in this one, the wifes tired of a bucket potty on are trips....

 

[jonb8]

This is my current camping setup and she's been patient with my need to camp in the middle of nowhere with no modern conveniences...

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

643 is a good trans. Here is a link for the spec's.

http://www.candbsales.com/images/interi ... %20643.pdf

One thing to keep an eye on is engine and bell housing mounts. I have seen 643's break the trans case if the mounts get very loose. Other than that those trans are good. It does have lockup converter in 4th and 5th gears.

You picked a good platform to start your build with.

 

[jonb8]

Beginners luck on most of it, I did want a mid size bus with a 466.... Thanks for the info Phillip I'll check those bellhousing bolts..

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

Beginners luck on most of it, I did want a mid size bus with a 466.... Thanks for the info Phillip I'll check those bellhousing bolts..

The front engine mount is a horse shoe type mount. If the mount to frame bolts come loose on it. That throws stress on the right side bell housing mount. What will happen is the SAE #2 engine adapter will crack around the mount. If the problem is not found and corrected soon enough. Then the crack will spread threw to the trans case. Seen that happen a couple of times on SAE#2 engine setups.

At least you have plenty of space underneath to hang tanks for a full tolet/shower setup.

I would love to find a 30's something bus to convert.

 

[jonb8]

I looked for a long time, and wasn't really ready to buy a bus. This one popped up for a great price so I pulled the trigger.. I stopped by a local RV salvage dealer yesterday and I'm very pleased with his prices. I ended up coming home with a brand new 40 gal water tank for 50 bucks....and alot of smalls....We made a list and he said he would price everything I needed and give me a great deal if I buy it all at once.. I hope his "Good deal" is the same thing as mine.....

 

[jonb8]

Picked up a new 40 gallon water tank today, found a local RV salvage dealer and he's going to get me all the RV associated parts...

 

[bigdave_185]

Can’t wait to see how this turns out, in Utah we have lots of crawler guys running school busses with the back turning into a flat bed for hauling jeeps and crawlers, seen one where the jeeps piggy back each other to haul two by standing them almost straight up.


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[jonb8]

We just left Utah a couple weeks ago, took the jeeps through CO and played around a little on Hells Revenge... Tooooo Hot ...

 

[jonb8]

We bailed out early on Hells Revenge and found a camping spot on the Colorado river. This is how us Easteners survive out west in the heat....LOL

 

[pchast]

Nice

 

[jonb8]

Got around to removing the wheelchair lift yesterday.. It wasn't bad with an engine hoist...