Automatic trans retrofit in a grain truck

JD's post on that IH 190 got me thinking about my grain truck situation. I have a 1600 loadstar that I like but my wife can't drive it comfortably on account of the clutch bothering her knee. I've looked at late model automatic straight trucks but they are a bit spendy right now. Good older used automatic grain trucks a pretty hard to find. There are a number of used MT allison transmissions out there in used or rebuilt condition for 2k or less. Other than the bell housing, flywheel, shift tower, and drive shaft modifications what else would it take to retrofit a 4+2 loadstar with a used allison MT trans? Could it be done for say 3k? Any other ideas to solve this issue?

-Paul

Zeb,

I wouldn't know a Loadstar if it bit me. But, just as a general observation, I would think that you might also need a different transmission mount to accommodate the automatic.

You mentioned the flywheel, and I imagine that would include the torque converter as well.

Any change needed for the speedometer to work? I don't have any idea.

Just guessing, here. Good luck.

Tom in TN

Not a real problem. I would leave the rear two speed - getting a two speed rear is/was an option on those trucks that had autos.

An Allison 545 is a medium duty trans that would work well. I wouldn't get used simply for the amount of time that it will sit. You want interior seals in top shape. One that has internal leaks won't last. Whenever I had to replace an Allison trans it was from internal leakage preventing it from building enough pressure to shift.

I used 545s in my bus fleet on those that had autos. It is a good trans. Not real quiet or a smooth shifter, but it would have no problem with the pounds you are hauling. Also, when that chassis was used for buses your engine was mated to a 545 so you know it won't be too much for the trans.

I used to replace 545s with rebuilt units for $1700 out the door and that includes incidentals during install. I would find a good fab shop. They should do it for $2000. Better yet, go to the school district and find an older mechanic to do it on off time. Those are the boys that know that chassis in and out.

The price of good grain trucks is just going through the roof. I wouldn't hesitate to throw a new auto trans in an old manual.

The torque convertor will bolt to the flywheel.

Don't forget the PTO for the hoist

Don't forget an oil cooler ...What about a vacuum assist clutch for your current trans ?? Lighten the effort on the pedal ...

I looked on the cummins forums, a vacuum booster for the clutch is only about $200, would be a quick cheap way if she could push that.

I think you would better off to just buy a truck with an AT in it.The neighbor has a 10 year old or so Chevy C60(gas engine) AT.Seems to work well.When I worked in a 'diesel shop',we did some engine/transmission convertions.In EVERY case,it turned into can of worms,a nightmare that cost the costomer lots more money than originally estimated.The worst was an older IH 2010 loadstar with a DV550 and 5x4 trans.It got converted to an 8.2L Detroit and 10speed Road Ranger.People on both sides almost lost their lives over that one.....

Putting an Allison behind a diesel engine works a little better than a gasser but both work well. If you do buy a used one make sure the torque converter is the one needed for your engine. They have to be in the correct RPM sweet spot. Make sure the gear is in it that drives the PTO or you'll have to open it all up to add one. Autos work great getting out of soft fields. I even have Allisons in my semi tractors!

find an old schoolbus with a 345 or 392 and get it all,including the radiator. should be cheap.It is a virtual boltin. Many of the newr S-line busse from the '80's,early '90's still had that engine. The flywheel and misc from the MV404 engine are different,so watch out for that.

Place local here that junks about 1,000 buses a year. Only problem is now most buses have the diesel set up. ONLY way to even think about it a total donor vehicle then I don,t think it would be worth the effort. Be a lot easier to trade trucks. Automatics in two ton farm trucks usually go cheap at auction. Everbody wants the gear drives.

I would keep the truck as is and buy a 2nd truck with an auto. A guy can find an older truck with an allison, I have a 76 Ford cabover with one.

How far do you haul grain? My wife hated driving grain trucks, so I brought a big gravity wagon and put it behind my 7140 case magnum tractor. Powershift so no more clutch, and she didn't have to ever back up with a swing away auger. Ac and good radio in the tractor helped as well.
Chris