Duonic trans question - low gear ratio? Off pavement capability?

[John E Davies]

I was talking to the sales folks from Global Expedition Vehicles at Overland Expo in Arizona. They told me that first gear is a granny gear and the truck normally starts from a stop in second. They also assured me that first was low enough for serious off pavement use, especially with the optional ring and pinions.....

If this is true, I might be able to overlook the lack of a two speed transfer case.

Can anyone comment on the off pavement dynamics of the new Duonic "AWD" drivetrain with oversized tires and a medium load on the chassis?

What are the ratios in this transmission?

My goal is a vehicle that can drive the White Rim road in Canyonlands without effort.

I guess I need to find one of these to drive myself......

BTW - the truck in the picture had a list price of $269K and a show price of $209K. That is a pretty good deal IMHO - too bad it is about $180K more than I can afford ...... ;(

Thanks

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[mog]

A thread on the Duonic transmission 'issues'
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/90471-Fuso-3-0-Duonic-transmission-SCR
...
from page 4 "He suggested that our local hilly environment was substantially different than the norm and that was why we were experiencing the issue. He did not feel the software update would fix it. He agreed to document and forward the problem to engineering" http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/90471-Fuso-3-0-Duonic-transmission-SCR?p=1351762#post1351762

 

[haven]

It looks to me that the 2013 Fuso Canter's first gear ratio (transmission * transfer case * optional axle ratio) is about the same as the 2007 Fuso FG140's second gear in low range. So the older model does have a lower gear for creeping. That means there might occasionally be situations where in the 2013 model you'd have to ride the brakes and use the exhaust brake to help control your downhill speed. Uphill, the 2013 model's automatic transmission would slip a bit to give you a lower range.

-----------------
2013 Fuso Canter
Duonic 6 speed automatic transmission
1st: 5.397
2nd: 3.788
3rd: 2.310
4th: 1.474
5th: 1.000
6th: 0.701
Rev: 5.397

Transfer case
1:1

Final drive
standard: 5.285 (top speed 85 mph)
optional: 5.714 (top speed 80 mph)

1st gear ratio -- 5.397 * 1 * 5.714 = 30.83

-------------

2007 Mitsubishi Fuso FG140

5 speed manual transmission
1st 5.380
2nd 3.028
3rd 1.700
4th 1.000
5th 0.722

Transfer case 2 speeds
high 1:1.097
low 1:2.088


Final drive ratio
standard 4.875 (top speed 68 mph)

1st gear, low range -- 5.380 * 2.088 * 4.875 = 54.76

2nd gear, low range -- 3.028 * 2.088 * 4.875 = 30.82

 

[familyvan]

This guy used his FG as a support vehicle on the white rim prior to building his camper
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/13691-Fuso-on-White-Rim-Trail

 

[Haf-E]

This guy used his FG as a support vehicle on the white rim prior to building his camper
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/13691-Fuso-on-White-Rim-Trail

That was a 2007 Fuso with the dual-range t-case... the question is about the latest 6 speed version.

 

[familyvan]

Thanks Haf-E I did not realize that

 

[John E Davies]

Thanks for the comments. I still want a true 4WD Low range. The difference between a 31 and 55 crawl ratio is pretty significant IMHO, especially for going down steep descents.

This guy used his FG as a support vehicle on the white rim prior to building his camper
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/13691-Fuso-on-White-Rim-Trail

I saw that truck or a similar one at White Rim last year, supporting a mountain bike group, and I was impressed with how easily it maneuvered on those narrow sections. I would have lashed a tarp over the gear tho - there was a lot of dust.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[EarthCruiser]

G`day All
We have this 2013 in the Bend Oregon shop for our Outback demo. We plan a live ground up build and test, there a few decent hills around here.
Looking forward to it.

 

[McCulloch]

A thread on the Duonic transmission 'issues'
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/90471-Fuso-3-0-Duonic-transmission-SCR
...
from page 4 "He suggested that our local hilly environment was substantially different than the norm and that was why we were experiencing the issue. He did not feel the software update would fix it. He agreed to document and forward the problem to engineering" http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/90471-Fuso-3-0-Duonic-transmission-SCR?p=1351762#post1351762

To clarify this problem. This presents itself in automatic mode while rolling uphill to a stop with no brake or throttle applied. The transmission is essentially in neutral waiting for inputs. When you apply throttle the transmission is very slow to select and engage a gear resulting in the vehicle continuing to slow, coming to a stop and then rolling backwards. This problem does not happen when the transmission is in manual mode.