Skoolie News

old transmission is out

Hello, friends.  I'm sorry it's been so long, since I gave an update on The Bucket List Express.  Also, blogger is having issues, so the pic placement and font size is less than ideal.  Changing the transmission affected more than just the transmission.  The drive shaft that came with the newer transmission was different than the original, so Joseph had to combine the two, making something that would work with our bus.

It was a real bear to remove all the bolts on the transmission adapter plate.  This required a heat gun, an impact driver, and a new bit.  Mission accomplished.

With the transmission out, and the bus immobile, we received a forecast of a major ice storm.  What to do, with the bus parked next to some iffy pine trees?  With 25 chicks arriving soon, and a coop expansion needed, Joseph had bought lumber for the project.  He had the idea for us to cover the solar panels on the roof with the plywood and lumber, to protect the panels and roof if any large limbs fell.  If an entire tree fell, all bets were off.  The storm ended up being less than predicted, and we sailed through without any damage.

The new transmission was staged, ready to be installed.  The needed seals were delayed, due to the winter storm.  

Once the seal arrived, it was installed, then the torque converter was installed.  With the help of a jack, and ratchet straps, the transmission was raised into place.  Many other steps, involving hoses and fittings, filters and fluid, and bolting the starter in place happened.  Changing the transmission required changing out the wiring harness.  The old transmission was mechanical, and the new is electronic.  There's a whole lot of wires, but he's steadily hooking them back up.  

With the chicks due next week, the bus project has taken back seat to the coop addition.  We missed out on going to the late February skoolie swarm in FL.  Maybe next time.  We don't have any plans yet, except for another shakedown trip somewhere, to make sure everything is running properly, once it's back in commission.