| Author | Message | ||
| peff Rating: N/A |
Howdy, Yes, folks you read that right--I am wondering what is involved to change a bus that has been converted to V730 BACK to the old Spicer 4-speed. I am searching for a 4104/4106 and have seen several converted to auto with a V730 but I know I want a manual shift. Sadistic as it sounds to some of you, that's what I want. Why? Mileage, simplicity, reliability, cooler engine temps, shifting fun, plus I'm young enough to still have knee joints so gotta enjoy 'em while they last... Has anyone done this? If so, what is involved in terms of work, money, parts? thanks Peff | ||
| morgan Clough (Mclough777)
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hmmm maybe you wanna trade. i got a 4104 with 4 speed. would LOVE 4106 | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
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You would have to locate and install a clutch pedal and mechanism, clutch cable, clutch assembly, transmission and small parts. Another idea would be to find a 4106 owner with a stick shift that would trade parts with you. Since you are still shopping for a bus, it would be far simplier to find a bus that hasn't been converted, there are tons of them for sale. --Geoff '82 RTS AZ | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
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Geoff is dead on. The majority of both models have stick shifts and everyone wants an automatic. Keep looking, that is half the fun anyway. | ||
| Paul Gilchrist Rating: N/A |
Peff is dead on, also. When I first got my 4104 I used to think that an auto tranny would be a good upgrade. The more I read and learn, and the more I drive her, I realize now that I wouldn't take an automatic "upgrade" if you gave it to me free. Poorer fuel mileage, more complex, saps the power, and it would take the true fun out of really driving. Sure, my leg gets a workout in heavy traffic, but when I finally park, 3 beers usually fixes that. Gil | ||
| t gojenola
Rating: N/A |
It really depends on what components were removed at the time the V-730 was installed. The 4106 uses 1/2" (or maybe 3/8) steel rods to control the shifters and to operate the clutch in addition to the bulkhead levers, linkage, shift tower, clutch pedal and mechanism up front. If these have been removed, forget it. You can neither remove nor replace the rods without either pulling the engine or removing some of the nose-skin. Mine was done this way with the engine and cradle out of the coach. No way would I ever consider putting it back. And, by the way I could not be happier than I am with the v730 setup. The difference in driving ease is akin to that between a 31 Packard and a new Camry. But then I'm 71 and, yes, I have driven them both. tg 4106-1888 Anchorage | ||
| peff Rating: N/A |
Thanks Geoff and TG for the excellent comments--just what I was looking for. I was wondering about the linkages. Yes there are several manual 410x for sale but I figured it may be easier to find one with the best interior layout and deal with the tranny if it made sense. No time/space to do a conversion myself. Peff | ||
| jimmci9#2 Rating: N/A |
ive got exactly everything you need ..... i have a 4104 that someone put a 8v71/wet clutch 4speed in... its out of suburban, 4106, 4107, 4108, or a 4905... can't tell exactly as that are all the same... i'm in south texas, 125 miles west of houston.... my email is jimcat2@webtv.net or call me at 832.746.6658... jim | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
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I had an unconverted 4905 with a manual transmission and an unconverted one with a factory v730. I could not tell any difference in performance and I am not sure there is really a difference in fuel economy enough to be worth having a manual. I like a manual transmission, but these seemed to give the same performance. The GMs are sooo light that the performance was great with a 3 speed automatic. Except in reverse. The 4 speed spicers reverese was way to fast, faster than 1st gear. | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
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There have been a handful of times last year when I would have loved having the automatic over my '06's stick. Getting stuck at lights on hills... having to start on a good grade at the beach and then at a ski resort... and nearly anytime I've had to back up with any precision. The stick coach will limit where you can go, I've found. Probably more so than the coach's size. But getting 9-10MPG was sure nice last summer when the fuel was over $3/gallon, and I drove her 12,000 miles. It probably saved me nearly $2k in fuel over what a 40-footer with a slushbox would have burned. Yup... there's trade-offs. There's busses out there with whatever you want in 'em. Just keep lookin'. I would NOT want to convert one to the other... esp. auto back to stick. And I hear you about buying one that's already RV converted... that's what I did. A few upgrades here and there and it's plenty personalized. Some day I would like to convert one from scratch. Maybe an Buffalo or an MCI9. But not anytime soon. Good luck, Brian Brown PD4106-1175 Longmont, CO http://www.brownland.org/bus/ | ||
| peff Rating: N/A |
Well, I guess that it doesn't hurt to be patient and take time to look for close to what I really want in a converted bus. BTW Brian, great bus and website... I want something like that  Peff | ||
| Brian Brown (Blue_velvet)
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Thanks, Peff. There's a couple of nice, 4-speed '06's on Kevin Webb's site: www.gmbusguy.com You might check 'em out. The "SportsCar" makes a nice RV, IMHO. Keep us updated on your coach hunt! bb |