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Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

This is a public forum to discuss Eagle related technical issues. If you are having a problem with your Eagle, this is the place to find help.
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Songman
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Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Songman »

Okay Sonnie,

Since I haven't been able to con you into doing a Project Eagle thread yet I'm gonna start asking questions.

When you put your Cat in, you got rid of the Eagle drop box and used a truck axle. Is that something a guy could do to an Eagle without an engine swap? I would think as long as you had the right axle and were able to make a drive shaft the correct link, it would work. So the next question - What axle would a man look for?

I know you have duals on both axles now. Does that mean you no longer have bogies?

I like the idea of not having the drop box because it seems like less parts to break. Are there any other advantage/disadvantages of this? Better gear ratios available, etc.

I heard Wayne might be doing this too, so anyone with experience can chime in, not just Sonnie.

Thanks.
Dale Houston
1993 Eagle 15-45
Nashville, TN
Sonnie Gray
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Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Sonnie Gray »

Dale

I moved the torsilastic suspension forward and used a truck rearend
that I rolled over backwards. I did this for a couple of reasons, to be able
to use taller gears and get rid of the drop box. I used 2.93 gears with
my 740 Allison transmission and with over 70,000 miles I have not had
any problems.
I also installed a 25,000 lb. air lift tag axle
By the way my drive shaft is 44" long, even with the 3406 Cat and
740 Allison transmisson.
When the price of fuel went up so high I decided to slow down and see
how much difference it made in my fuel mileage. And yes it did help, if I keep
it below 65 Mph. I have been getting around 9.25 Mpg.

Catskinner!
Sonnie & Patti Gray
72 0/5 Eagle 3406 CAT
Pottsboro, Texas
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luvrbus
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Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by luvrbus »

Dale, I don't know Richards last name but he put a truck rearend with 293 gears in a 07 with a 8v92 by doing away the mitre box (do you have one) and sliding the engine back to the bumper and keeping his bogie axle.His Eagle is on the Brownsville rally photos a blue one sitting by his it's self up front pretty nice setup with out filping the axles, somebody here will know his last name very nice guy good luck
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Dreamscape
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Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Dreamscape »

Dale,

I don't think Sonnie's has two sets of duals. He installed his single bogie behind the driver, just reversed the wheel so it looks the same as the driver. I thought I had a picture showing that but I don't. You can see it here if you look real close.

Image

Here is a photo that you might find interesting!

Image

Catskinner! What a work of art!
Paul Lawry
Dreamscape
1968 Eagle 01 #7443
Silver 8V92 HT 740

Dreamscape Build Blog: https://dreamscapesilvereagle.wordpress.com/
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Songman
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Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Songman »

Thanks Sonnie. I don't know if I will ever end up going that route but I like the idea of less things to break.

Clifford, our NJT20s don't have the mitre boxes and the engine is already all the way back. That is part of what got me thinking about this. Seems like we should all kinds of room to play with under there.

Thanks Paul. I remember seeing Sonnie's bus at Quartzsite last year and before he opened the engine cover I remember that I kept looking at the bus trying to figure out what looked different about it!
Dale Houston
1993 Eagle 15-45
Nashville, TN
Sonnie Gray
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Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:29 pm
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Bus Model: 72 0/5 Eagle 3406 Cat, 70 0/5, 85 Model 10

Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Sonnie Gray »

Paul

Thanks for posting the pictures. I don't have duals on the tag axle,
but I could if I wanted to. When the axle is behind the driver it is
called a tag axle, not a bogie.

I did it this way because I liked the look. Also this is a 25,000 lb. tag
axle and you only loose about 25% of the carrying capacity by turning the wheel out. I can adjust the ride height and load from the dash, this helps when
going in and out of driveways.

Someday I will try to post some pictures.

Catskinner!
Sonnie & Patti Gray
72 0/5 Eagle 3406 Cat
Pottsboro, Texas
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Dreamscape
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Re: Calling Sonnie Gray - Getting rid of drop box?

Post by Dreamscape »

Sonnie,

When you get to posting some pics and need any help, Dale or myself would be glad to lend a hand. You have a one of a kind coach and it needs to be well represented.
Paul Lawry
Dreamscape
1968 Eagle 01 #7443
Silver 8V92 HT 740

Dreamscape Build Blog: https://dreamscapesilvereagle.wordpress.com/
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