Scoutkid's van is HERE!!!

[nely]

It converts your speed sensor output into a usable form by your speedo/electronic tach which just HAPPENS to control your vans shifting ability. You are going NOWHERE without it. Today's project was installing said part, the ERA (Electronic Radio Adapter)

Im hmming and haaing about this piece, mostly because im unsure how it works and why its needed...

Some vans use a speedometer sensor in the transmissions, others use the sensor in the rear diff. If your using your transmission and rebuilding it to 4x then you should still have the speedo sensor in the trans still and should be good. If you stay with the stock rear axle then you still dont need that convertor?

I suppose if your using the vss in the rear axle and did the sterling axle swap then youll need this convertor?

Or if you cant run a vss in the transmission you gotta run it off the rear axle sensor?

Im unsure if its needed. Can you explain its operation? I have noticed its hard to find a 4x output shaft with speedo gears on my e4od. Maybe thats why?

 

[scoutkid]

Im hmming and haaing about this piece, mostly because im unsure how it works and why its needed...

Some vans use a speedometer sensor in the transmissions, others use the sensor in the rear diff. If your using your transmission and rebuilding it to 4x then you should still have the speedo sensor in the trans still and should be good. If you stay with the stock rear axle then you still dont need that convertor?

I suppose if your using the vss in the rear axle and did the sterling axle swap then youll need this convertor?

Or if you cant run a vss in the transmission you gotta run it off the rear axle sensor?

Im unsure if its needed. Can you explain its operation? I have noticed its hard to find a 4x output shaft with speedo gears on my e4od. Maybe thats why?

Chris can answer it in the fancy terms better than I can, but basically the pickup on the VSS is different on the 2wd output shafts and 4wd output shafts. The speedo works off the VSS on the tranny, and if you don't use the converter box then when you drive forward your speedo will read like 70 mph when you are going 10 and it will downshift like crazy.

I believe the VSS on the rear diff is for ABS operation. I may be wrong. It has happened several times today even.

Even if you WERE able to use the diff or tranny VSS, your speedo will still be off when you add larger tires or change gear ratios, so this will get that corrected for you, too!

Buy one!

 

[arz]

Even if you WERE able to use the diff or tranny VSS, your speedo will still be off when you add larger tires or change gear ratios, so this will get that corrected for you, too!

A quality programmer will fix this bit. Sadly, I don't have a quality programmer, so my speedo is off (not the swimsuit kind) by about 6-7%.


but your original post makes me curious as to how my quigly conversion handled it... hmm. Need to yank my transfer case to rebuild it before winter as I don't currently have 4Hi - will check it out then.

 

[scoutkid]

Woke up to the first snow of the season - what better time to go for a shakedown run?!

Berthoud Pass, meet Vantom.

I chose this route because I spend nearly every weekend skiing at Winter Park.

I couldn't find anywhere that I even needed to use 4wd

But the big guy did GREAT. This was mostly just a chance for me to get the feel for how he handles on slippery roads, slow, fast, etc.

Grabbed him a drink in Winter Park:

And the clouds broke on the way back home. All in all an incredibly uneventful trip!!

 

[bobDog]

Wow...Berthoud Pass! What memories that brings......Had a Baja Bug done to the max with gates rubber tires (made at the Denver Plant for tractors)aircraft tires on the front doing that pass every time I could! That's when I grew up all over CO. before I figured out that cold sucks and green trees and Oceans ruled.....warm ahhhhhh. Big trees, big fish and ferns all over.
But snow does bring back the memories.....'specially the Continental Divide!

 

[bobDog]

Grabbed him a drink in Winter Park:

Okay I must admit you are starting to get me with this van....thoughts of selling my awesome XJ that I have a fortune in money and time have crossed my mind with the idea of buying a van and following your lead. Fortunately I'm old and realize that I might have a prob pulling this off.....but yet the same....I have a son who could help....damn you Scoutkid.....:coffeedrink:

 

[nely]

Im diggin the fiberglass top that came on your van. Any info on it?

 

[arz]

I chose this route because I spend nearly every weekend skiing at Winter Park.

I grew up skiing there every Saturday. Love that place.

 

[coguzzi]

scoutkid, i am at mary jane almost every weekend, or any good midweek dump, keep an eye out for RB 7.3 chateau with CCV top on it. as soon as i get my propex installed i plan on beating the storms to the mtn.

 

[scoutkid]

Okay I must admit you are starting to get me with this van....thoughts of selling my awesome XJ that I have a fortune in money and time have crossed my mind with the idea of buying a van and following your lead. Fortunately I'm old and realize that I might have a prob pulling this off.....but yet the same....I have a son who could help....damn you Scoutkid.....:coffeedrink:

Im diggin the fiberglass top that came on your van. Any info on it?

The only info I have is that it's 2" too short inside. Other than that, they seem to come on most handicap accessable vans, and I THINK I even saw a van on Denver Craigslist that was getting parted out that had one on it! You could search.

I grew up skiing there every Saturday. Love that place.

scoutkid, i am at mary jane almost every weekend, or any good midweek dump, keep an eye out for RB 7.3 chateau with CCV top on it. as soon as i get my propex installed i plan on beating the storms to the mtn.

Sounds like we need to have a little Van rodeo! I had to Google 'Propex', and now I want one. Thanks. I have zero dollars. :drool:

 

[arz]

I've been lusting after a Webasto heater that runs off the stock diesel tank and heats the coolant. preheat the motor on cold days, keep the cabin warm on cold nights without idling the engine

 

[scoutkid]

I've been lusting after a Webasto heater that runs off the stock diesel tank and heats the coolant. preheat the motor on cold days, keep the cabin warm on cold nights without idling the engine

Which model? Link?

 

[r_w]

If you look up Badgertrek's website, he talks about the webasto and re-working the sportsmobile install. Seriously nice setup with a pricetag to match.

 

[arz]

Which model? Link?

Thermotop. popular in Europe but a bit harder to find here. also a lot of diesel big rigs have similar units. when I'm ready, I'm going to to try to score a used one.


edit: not a thermotop, but this would work nicely.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NIB-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e676b1a2e

 

[ujoint]

Sorry for the delay, just got back from a weekend camping trip. I'll explain the VSS sensor/speedo issue in more detail.

The ERA box is only needed if you run a 271 t-case behind the E4OD/4R100 tranny. If you run a BW1356, it's plug & play.

The stock 2wd van rear VSS sensor (on the transmission) is gear driven. The truck t-case adapter needed for the NV271 has a VSS sensor in it, but it's the pulse type, not gear driven. So.... like Tom said, it reads REALLY fast. The signal needs to be slowed down for the tranny to shift properly & the speedo to read correctly. Wire this box in, set the switches for your proper gear ratio/tire size/actual speed, and everything works.