EarthRoamer installs TripleLok

[TKilgore]

I have ask this before on another thread and got no answer so I'll try again.



Does the triple lok shift locked to locked? If so, what takes the strain?

Is a complete transmission required in order to make the TC work properly or reliably?



I want to learn so please answer.





Thanks Tom

 

[StakeMan]

Originally posted by TKilgore

I have ask this before on another thread and got no answer so I'll try again.



Does the triple lok shift locked to locked? If so, what takes the strain?

Is a complete transmission required in order to make the TC work properly or reliably?



I want to learn so please answer.





Thanks Tom

Yes it can shift locked to locked. I know there is a dampner on the piston. There are are things too, that just comes to mind first. You could do just the TC. Sorry, I can't answer your technical questions. If your curious, give Don or Clint a call.

 

[BRUTUS]

" I have firm respect for what this man has done with this Dodge Ram. "



With due respect to Bill and to the products he writes about, one may get the impression that he has some valid opinions about his rig and the expensive gadgetry he has installed.

Im my opinion his rig is too top heavy and has too many things that can break. He has never been is remote areas for any

extensive rugged terrain driving. When he does get off the main highway, his stuff breaks.

I like his writings, he takes pretty pictures and is no doubt a good guy with good intentions. I will continue to look forward to his travel accounts in the TDR mag.

>However< I will be much more impressed after he has crossed Asia, or Africa, or South America and has a couple of years worth of actual experience with trouble free components before I become a true believer.

 

[EarthRoamer]

Originally posted by TKilgore

Does the triple lok shift locked to locked? If so, what takes the strain?

Yes, mine shifts with the TC locked with no problem. I believe the dampner in the piston absorbs most of the "strain. " The shifts on my ATS transmission are so smooth, they are barely noticeable. Seriously, give Don or Clint a call and they will answer your question in great technical detail. 800-949-6002

Originally posted by TKilgore

Is a complete transmission required in order to make the TC work properly or reliably?

The TripleLok will work perfectly well by itself. Check out this page on the ATS website for a detailed transmission upgrade path:

http://www.atsdiesel.com/products/products-dodge-transmission.html

 

[Bud Fox]

Hey Bill, you still follow AOL?? Just curious





Oo.

 

[EarthRoamer]

Originally posted by azgearpro

LSMITH, no the problem with this site is that you cant give anyone your opinion. Whether you like it or not it is my opinion I have a right to give it, just like you have the right to give yours.

To Earthroamer I do apologise for such a harsh comment, By the way nice photos.

You're opinion is welcomed and encouraged, but there is no need to be disrespectful. I accept your apology and compliment.



I understand your concern about me not being objective since I’m sponsored. Yes, some people will say anything for a free part, but that isn’t the way I operate. Here’s why:



1) I believe in integrity and strive to “do the right thing. ”

2) Junk breaks, I don’t need breakdowns leaving me stranded

3) If I use junk, companies with high quality products won’t want to be associated with me, readers won’t believe my writing and I’ll be out of business in a short period of time

4) I simply don’t need to use inferior parts. When I find a company with the product I believe to be the best, I approach them for a sponsorship. If they choose not to sponsor me, I buy their product anyway. Over 90% of the EarthRoamer was paid for with my own money.



I believe it is always a good idea to evaluate why someone is endorsing a product and to do your homework. Any good vender will take the time to tell you about their products.

 

[EarthRoamer]

Originally posted by Bud Fox

Hey Bill, you still follow AOL?? Just curious





Oo.

I followed AOL a lot more closely when it was shooting up. Now I only check it when I want to punish myself

 

[EarthRoamer]

Originally posted by BRUTUS

[BWith due respect to Bill and to the products he writes about, one may get the impression that he has some valid opinions about his rig and the expensive gadgetry he has installed.

Im my opinion his rig is too top heavy and has too many things that can break. He has never been is remote areas for any

extensive rugged terrain driving. When he does get off the main highway, his stuff breaks.

I like his writings, he takes pretty pictures and is no doubt a good guy with good intentions. I will continue to look forward to his travel accounts in the TDR mag.

>However< I will be much more impressed after he has crossed Asia, or Africa, or South America and has a couple of years worth of actual experience with trouble free components before I become a true believer. [/B]

We’re getting a little off topic here since I was hoping to stay focused on the ATS TripleLok and transmission, but I’ll try to answer this one.



expensive gadgetry

Sometimes when I’m sitting in my home in suburbia, I look at my truck parked on the street with the “normal cars” and laugh at myself; the EarthRoamer looks so out of place. When I’m in the middle of the Baja backcountry or remote areas in Alaska, I’m always glad to have every single piece of “expensive gadgetry. ” Every piece of equipment I have installed on my truck is there for a reason, and I detail those reasons on my web site. No one will ever agree on all of my choices and I don’t expect them to. My goal is to explain my decision process, get people thinking about their choices, share my experiences, and hopefully help people choose better products for their rigs.



his rig is too top heavy

I get this comment a lot; it certainly LOOKS top heavy. Picture a flat bed truck with an eight-foot tall block of Styrofoam on it. It would LOOK very top heavy but actually the center of gravity has changed very little. My camper shell is made of a strong but lightweight polypropylene/fiberglass composite. Heavy items like the 8D battery and the water tanks are kept low. The center of gravity is actually quite low, and the EarthRoamer handles surprisingly well, even in strong crosswinds.



He has never been is remote areas for any extensive rugged terrain driving... I will be much more impressed

Drive Baja and then we’ll talk. With all due respect, it is a lot easier to "Monday morning quarterback" my EarthRoamer project than to actually develop the plan, build the truck, and head off alone on an expedition. I'm not trying to impress anyone, I'm just having fun.



a couple of years worth of actual experience with trouble free components

Wouldn’t that be nice. I would be very happy if nothing ever broke, but it simply doesn’t work that way. Race teams with virtually unlimited budgets design the perfect rigs; only to see them break. My budget is much more modest. The only major breakdown that I’ve had was the camper mounts. My entire truck/camper design is a prototype, and I think this speaks volumes for the quality of the design and the products I have chosen.

 

[Sregorb]

Very well answered Bill.



Brian

 

[BRUTUS]

Bill

I wish you the best of luck!

Time will tell...

 

[Straight6Jeff]

HEyya Bill,



How did you fit all of those people into your truck while in Baja? Must have looked like a clown car when everyone piled out. :--)

Good luck wtih your next trip.

 

[TKilgore]

Ft. Walton

Hey Brutus,



Nice to see someone on here close to home.



You bombed? Tell me about your truck



Tom

 

[rrausch]

I can't imagine taking my truck down into Baja... Bill's a real adventurer in MHO. I must admit I HAVE had a good laugh or two when I read of some of his mis-adventures... but by gawd at least he's man enough to write it all up and laugh (and cry) right along with us!



About 2 more weeks and I'll have an ATS (paid for by ME)! I'll let everybody know how I like it.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Originally posted by TKilgore

I have ask this before on another thread and got no answer so I'll try again.



Does the triple lok shift locked to locked? If so, what takes the strain?

Is a complete transmission required in order to make the TC work properly or reliably?



I want to learn so please answer.





Thanks Tom

One of the things that separates the Triplelok from the rest is the fact that it CAN shift locked to locked. By no means do you have to do this.

The strain is taken by the dampener and the clutch packs. The shifts are designed to be soft enough to avoid the torsional spike that causes things like the input shaft to break. THAT is how they are getting this idea to work.

If you were to only purchase a tc, I would call ATS and see if they recommend locked shifts with the stock transmission. At the very least, I think you would need to purchase a valve body with it to manage the shifts and line pressures.



Chris

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Originally posted by EarthRoamer







You're opinion is welcomed and encouraged, but there is no need to be disrespectful. I accept your apology and compliment.



I understand your concern about me not being objective since I’m sponsored. Yes, some people will say anything for a free part, but that isn’t the way I operate. Here’s why:



1) I believe in integrity and strive to “do the right thing. ”

2) Junk breaks, I don’t need breakdowns leaving me stranded

3) If I use junk, companies with high quality products won’t want to be associated with me, readers won’t believe my writing and I’ll be out of business in a short period of time

4) I simply don’t need to use inferior parts. When I find a company with the product I believe to be the best, I approach them for a sponsorship. If they choose not to sponsor me, I buy their product anyway. Over 90% of the EarthRoamer was paid for with my own money.



I believe it is always a good idea to evaluate why someone is endorsing a product and to do your homework. Any good vender will take the time to tell you about their products.

Hey Bill, I don't know you, but I believe that the majority of the people on this site have great respect for your testing. Don't ever let anyone discourage you from posting your opinion. I think you're a very good writer. I appreciate the work you do, and enjoy reading your articles in the tdr mag. Keep up the good work!



Chris

 

[TKilgore]

oops

CAnderson

Thanks for the good answer. Now for another question.



As I have stated, I just pull my TT with MILD mods(sig). Does the lock to lock shift have any advantage in my situation? What are the advantages of a locked shift.



I am going to continue my transmission upgrades and want more info.



Thanks



Tom



edit: need to update sig + comp +BHAF

 

[DodgeSales]

Well said Brian

Originally posted by Briar Hopper

Nothing in life is ever free... . It doesn't matter that ATS sponsored EarthRoamer. What does matter is that Bill Swails tells it like it is. If he breaks it, he will tell us. One only has to read his website, and you'll see how he has done just that in the past. This is valuable research and development that benefits us all. He doesn't slam anyone's products, just matter-of-factly reports on how well the products he uses, perform.

Bill Swails is a fine and honorable man, and doesn't deserve such harsh words asssaulting his integrity. One would do well to examine the integrity and motives of the person writing such ill-informed trash against Bill.

Well said Brian,

My thoughts exactly, Why would you slam someone without a creditable reason, I also have sponsored products on my Drag car and if I am having problems with a part that is NOT up to expectations I will look for another and tell it like it is, I , like others will not run a part that is not up the task "Just because it is Free" Usually ends costing more in the long run.

just my . 02

George

 

[EarthRoamer]

lock to lock shifts

Originally posted by TKilgore

Now for another question.



As I have stated, I just pull my TT with MILD mods(sig). Does the lock to lock shift have any advantage in my situation? What are the advantages of a locked shift.



I am going to continue my transmission upgrades and want more info.



Thanks



Tom

Here's my 2 cents worth:

I want to get into lockup as quickly as possible so I'm not waisting energy in the slipping TC. When I'm in lockup, I'm getting almost all of my power to the ground which results in cooler ATF temps (longer transmission life), better performance and better fuel mileage.



My transmission seems to handle the locked shifts very smoothly, so I see no downside to the locked shifts.



Some of this is addressed begining with the fourth paragraph on this page of the ATS web site: http://www.atsdiesel.com/atsu/atsu-lockupclutch.html

 

[EarthRoamer]

Originally posted by Straight6Jeff

How did you fit all of those people into your truck while in Baja? Must have looked like a clown car when everyone piled out.

Good luck wtih your next trip.

#ad




Here's what Straight6Jeff is asking about: http://www.earthroamer.com/galleries/2001baja/07.html



It was me and another person in the front seats, 3 people in the quad cab seats, 4 people sitting in the booth seats in the camper, and 2 people standing up in the camper. Yes, it did look a lot like a clown car!

 

[Charley]

Interesting thread.



I've purchased a lot of big displacement diesel, propane and natural gas engines in my years in the oil patch and after I learned what I was doing always specified "twin disk clutch" on the PO.



I've owned lots and lots of motorcycles and all had multiple disks in the clutch.



My Chevy, long time ago guys, had multiple disks in the positrac and thats the best anti slip diff I ever had, period.



Seems to make sense to me but I'm still going to listen to you all till it comes time to shell out my own cash.



Charley