MG Metalworks Van Build

[mgmetalworks]

Putting the Allison trans together today... In order for this trans to work with an NV271/NV273 T-case, the tailhousing needs to have an output speed sensor mount machined into the housing. I had been stalling on this chore for a while now because I didn't have a good way to verify that my custom designed tone wheel and the sensor were in the right place relative to each other. When things are fully assembled, you just don't have access to the tone wheel so getting a good measurement of the gap between the tone wheel and the sensor isn't happening.

Until now...





I 3D printed a part that mimics the whole assembly and slips over the output shaft with the bare housing in place. On one side I have the 'teeth' of the tone wheel to check the gap and another spot on the wheel has a bump that i'll use to hold the right depth while I tack the mount in place.

This is a great example of the value of a 3D printer (and Solidworks) for my business.

 

[DzlToy]

Gottransfercases on Ebay has NV271 that will bolt in place of a NV261/263, which came from GM behind the Allison.

Transfer case reference list: (caveat emptor)
http://www.provenforce.com/transfer_case/TC_silverado_3500.html

And Howard makes an adapter:

http://howards-conversions-allison.com/products.php?id=1

 

[sixstringsteve]

Hm... an e350 with an rsc dana 60 front axle, coils, cummins, 4x4, and an allison. Does it get any better than this? The only thing it needs is a MG metalworks designed pop top.

Keep up the fantastic work. I can't wait to see your pop top design one day.

 

[mgmetalworks]

Gottransfercases on Ebay has NV271 that will bolt in place of a NV261/263, which came from GM behind the Allison.

Transfer case reference list: (caveat emptor)
http://www.provenforce.com/transfer_case/TC_silverado_3500.html

And Howard makes an adapter:

http://howards-conversions-allison.com/products.php?id=1

I've got the adapter ring to mate things up...that was the easy part. (lower left is the adapter)



The NV273 with a Dodge long snout input shaft (29 spline), a custom tone wheel and the OSS all had to be adapted some how. The problem I was having was setting the depth of the sensor in the housing. I've got that figured out now... just need to weld in the sensor bung.

My experience with Howard's conversion parts hasn't been that great. His castings are pretty low quality.

 

[mgmetalworks]

Hm... an e350 with an rsc dana 60 front axle, coils, cummins, 4x4, and an allison. Does it get any better than this? The only thing it needs is a MG metalworks designed pop top.

Keep up the fantastic work. I can't wait to see your pop top design one day.

Last Tuesday I had parts of the van body 3D scanned so I could have accurate models for building such things in Solidworks...

 

[sixstringsteve]

Best news I've heard in a long time. Put me at the top of your list for a pop top.

 

[DzlToy]

Your customer service is better than his for sure. He is a PITA to get on the phone and does not answer emails. If you did not have everything figured out, it would certainly be worth doing it just to sell a few to the Dodge guys.

:beer:

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Need Moar!:ylsmoke:

 

[paroxysym]

Hm... an e350 with an rsc dana 60 front axle, coils, cummins, 4x4, and an allison. Does it get any better than this?.

You can say that again... Truly a work of automotive art

 

[tgreening]

I 3D printed a part that mimics the whole assembly and slips over the output shaft with the bare housing in place. On one side I have the 'teeth' of the tone wheel to check the gap and another spot on the wheel has a bump that i'll use to hold the right depth while I tack the mount in place.

This is a great example of the value of a 3D printer (and Solidworks) for my business.

Just out of curiousity what 3D printer do you use, and why?

 

[mgmetalworks]

Just out of curiousity what 3D printer do you use, and why?

I recently purchased a Zortrax M200. There are dozens of printers to choose from but after reading a lot of reviews, this one stood out to me. There are several materials it can print, the interface is very simple and it is very well made. As with any printer though, there are some things that are a little annoying. The prints are difficult to remove from the build plate and if you're not paying attention, the filament can get tangled and ruin your print (this is because of the cheesy spool holder and filament guide). It isn't a perfect machine but it is darn good compared to the others I've used. Print quality is excellent on this machine.

I'm most impressed by the build quality of this machine. Whereas most printers are made from plastic parts, this one is almost entirely machined parts or formed sheetmetal.

 

[mgmetalworks]

One pan gasket shy of a fully assembled Allison trans. Finishing this task cleared up about 100 sqft of floor space in the shop. Hoarding parts for this swap has taken up the majority of my storage space so as I get things checked off the list, my usable work space grows and grows! double bonus!

 

[tgreening]

Why is it that the people doing the all the cool stuff are all over on the left side of the country? Man, the east is BORING.

 

[DzlToy]

FIFY

Why is it that the people doing the all the cool stuff are all over on the left side of the country? Man, Canton, Ohio is BORING.

Aside from roundy round racing and some boutique shops like U-Joint, there is definitely a massive difference between the two halves of the country. One of the reasons I try to get to Overland Expo West, SEMA, Pomona Off Road Show and other left coast events. There is just so much that you don't see out here.

 

[silvrzuki77]

After pulling my small trailer up in the Utah mountains with my 5.4 I was utterly disappointed. I am hoping your still thinking of making this conversion available to everyone?


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