MG Metalworks Van Build

mgmetalworks

Explorer
I got an email notification that these little beauties were available for sale again....

20150321_144820 (1024x859).jpg

https://www.canb.us/

In simple terms, some of the data I want that is streaming from the Cummins ECM is in a different format and broadcast at a different rate than where I want to use that data (for instance, the Instrument Panel Cluster). This device allows me to monitor the Cummins data stream and extract out what I need, change up the format and then inject that data into the Ford data stream just like if it were coming from a factory PCM. Now...there is a LONG ways to go programming-wise before I have all of the dozen or so things working as they should but this is the first time something like this has been on market...for $79...and open source...with a support community sharing ideas and code... Freaking cool stuff!!! Other than doing all of this with an assortment of Arduinos and add-on CAN Bus parts, the next closest thing to do something sort of close to this costs over $400 with $250 in software to make it work.

In other news... the A-frame gantry hoist is in and ready to do some heavy lifting. I need to knock out some slider hinges, seat mounts, two different customer seat installs and fixing my wife's rig before I can get back to the Cummins project but I'm ready to get this thing done and reclaim my shop space...
 

mk216v

Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
In other news... the A-frame gantry hoist is in and ready to do some heavy lifting. I need to knock out some slider hinges, seat mounts, two different customer seat installs and fixing my wife's rig before I can get back to the Cummins project but I'm ready to get this thing done and reclaim my shop space...

Ohhhh yeah! :wings:
 

mgmetalworks

Explorer
I recently had a chance to plug into a '14 Ram/Cummins and collect some CAN data. I was able to find the specific thing I was looking for with the limited time I had but DANG there is a lot of data to sort through. For the Ford van, in normal conditions there are ~25 or so unique message identifiers at any given moment. I started up the Ram truck and ran it for less than 30 seconds and saw 120+ unique message identifiers. Yikes!

I was looking for a "button state" message on the bus. The Ram turns on/off the exhaust brake via a switch on the dash. Every time you push the button, one of the modules in the truck tells another module that the button state changed and then that module updates the ECM. Here's what it looks like:

"OFF"
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0

"ON FULL"
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0

"ON AUTO"
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0

So it appears as though the 3rd column after the identifier is the switch state but something is also going on in the 5th. The pattern repeats but I'm not sure why or what it does yet.

I also stumbled across the VIN# packet:
3 0 33 43 36 55 52 35 4E
3 1 4C 58 45 47 33 32 30
3 2 36 35 34 0 0 0 0

I need to do the same thing for the AC switch controls and the cruise control buttons. Then it is a matter of programming my CAN devices to send out these "button state" packets when I push on some switches.

The biggest hurdle to doing this is sorting through data and I quickly learned with the Ram truck that I need to automate some of the sorting if I ever want to get through all of this. Time to dust off the programming skills and come up with some lines of code to filter out all of the stuff that isn't important. For instance...the VIN# packet is the same every time but it is sent out every 0.1 secs or so. If I filter that out (and all of the other static messages) and only show on the screen the values that are changing, I should be able to see right away if button states change. That's the idea anyways. I have most of the program's functionality already from the SDK that came with my CAN device, I just need to insert my filter code in there somewhere. Excuse me while I retire to the dimly lit basement with my Cheetos and Mt. Dew.

:mixed-smiley-030:
 

screwball48

Explorer
Soooo..... When the numbers reach zero is that when the Canadians are going to invade riding the Ram/Cummings buses?


All of the programming is over my head. My hat is off to you for not only taking on this project but also progressing to the point that you are at. I would wish you luck on this project but with the skills and knowledge that you have displayed it is all a matter of time so I will wish you God speed with this endeavor.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

mgmetalworks

Explorer
Ok, Ok... I can see the geeky CAN sniffing stuff doesn't get you guys fired up... How about some machined parts?! Will that do it?!

As you might recall, I wasn't very happy with some Cummins/Allison adapter parts I purchased so I designed my own. Here are some shots of the torque converter adapter ring and the torque converter nose-to-crankshaft pilot bushing fresh out of the CNCs. These are raw machined parts now but I'm sending them for plating next week to finish them off.

DSC_0709 (1024x685).jpg DSC_0710 (1024x685).jpg

DSC_0712 (1024x685).jpg DSC_0713 (1024x685).jpg

I've got the bellhousing adapter ring designed too and it is going to be awesome!!!.... but awesome has a high price so I'm saving up a bit before having that machined. I can use the very rough cast piece that I purchased for set up purposes. Then during final assembly I'll bring in the new part.
 
Last edited:

fmboss429

Observer
I recently had a chance to plug into a '14 Ram/Cummins and collect some CAN data. I was able to find the specific thing I was looking for with the limited time I had but DANG there is a lot of data to sort through. For the Ford van, in normal conditions there are ~25 or so unique message identifiers at any given moment. I started up the Ram truck and ran it for less than 30 seconds and saw 120+ unique message identifiers. Yikes!

I was looking for a "button state" message on the bus. The Ram turns on/off the exhaust brake via a switch on the dash. Every time you push the button, one of the modules in the truck tells another module that the button state changed and then that module updates the ECM. Here's what it looks like:

"OFF"
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 80 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 0 0 40 3B 0 0

"ON FULL"
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 80 0 82 3B 0 0

"ON AUTO"
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 82 3B 0 0
30A 0 0 A0 0 42 3B 0 0

So it appears as though the 3rd column after the identifier is the switch state but something is also going on in the 5th. The pattern repeats but I'm not sure why or what it does yet.

I also stumbled across the VIN# packet:
3 0 33 43 36 55 52 35 4E
3 1 4C 58 45 47 33 32 30
3 2 36 35 34 0 0 0 0

I need to do the same thing for the AC switch controls and the cruise control buttons. Then it is a matter of programming my CAN devices to send out these "button state" packets when I push on some switches.

The biggest hurdle to doing this is sorting through data and I quickly learned with the Ram truck that I need to automate some of the sorting if I ever want to get through all of this. Time to dust off the programming skills and come up with some lines of code to filter out all of the stuff that isn't important. For instance...the VIN# packet is the same every time but it is sent out every 0.1 secs or so. If I filter that out (and all of the other static messages) and only show on the screen the values that are changing, I should be able to see right away if button states change. That's the idea anyways. I have most of the program's functionality already from the SDK that came with my CAN device, I just need to insert my filter code in there somewhere. Excuse me while I retire to the dimly lit basement with my Cheetos and Mt. Dew.

:mixed-smiley-030:

If I had not been following your thread so religiously, I would be lost! Don't get me wrong, I still have to reach to grasp it all, but I now understand what the factories are doing with their fancy computers. Really cool information! Thanks again for keeping us updated.
 

fmboss429

Observer
Ok, Ok... I can see the geeky CAN sniffing stuff doesn't get you guys fired up... How about some machined parts?! Will that do it?!

As you might recall, I wasn't very happy with some Cummins/Allison adapter parts I purchased so I designed my own. Here are some shots of the torque converter adapter ring and the torque converter nose-to-crankshaft pilot bushing fresh out of the CNCs. These are raw machined parts now but I'm sending them for plating next week to finish them off.

View attachment 280762 View attachment 280763

View attachment 280764 View attachment 280765

I've got the bellhousing adapter ring designed too and it is going to be awesome!!!.... but awesome has a high price so I'm saving up a bit before having that machined. I can use the very rough cast piece that I purchased for set up purposes. Then during final assembly I'll bring in the new part.

That's some beautiful machine work! So you a machinist too???
 

mgmetalworks

Explorer
That's some beautiful machine work! So you a machinist too???

I had these parts made on machines I can't afford... :)

I do have some manual machines and I've owned/programmed/operated a simple CNC in the past. Not quite a machinist but I know the process pretty well.
 
Last edited:

fmboss429

Observer
I had these parts made on machines I can't afford... :)

I do have some manual machines and I've owned/programmed/operated a simple CNC in the past. Not quite a machinist but I know the process pretty well.

Manual Machines require a lot more skill in my opinion. I've pushed that green button a many a time, even programmed a few jobs here at our shop, but I am scared to death to try and run a machine manually though... As always, Impressed by your talent
 

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