Was 1993 the first year of the CAT 3116 six cylinder engine with the six speed Allison transmission and retarder? When did they quit making this beauty and were they all 3116s? Holiday best to all of you! b^.^d
I believe there were some late 1992's U240's with Cat 3116 and Allison MD3060 6 speed. Earlier ones were Caterpillar 3208 and Allison 4 speed hydraulic transmission.
1995 was the last year.
All were torsilastic suspension.
To my knowledge, there was no "supplemental braking system" as OE until 1994 when a transmission retarder was offered.
Most earlier models, starting with production late 1992 would accommodate an exhaust brake that was pretty effective (The PacBrake PRXB being the most powerful (most braking HP).
I have a question, did Foretravel ever use the Cummins 5.9 ?
Yes, in '93, I show a Cummins B5.9 230 H.P. version in the GV series. It was called a "U-225". It had the Allison MT 643 trans. I don't know if it was a four or six speed or could take a retarder. It was "cheaper" than the U-240, listing at $190,000.00. The CAT version was 10k more.
Yes, all U225's had the Cummins B 5.9 liter 230 HP with rear radiator and Allison 4 speed transmission, torsilastic suspension.
If I was looking for a U-240 to buy with the CAT six, I'd check to see what Brett discovered: the six was heavier than the Torsilastic springs were spec'd for. He had Goodrich build him some for his/mine and FT started using them, but I wonder how many 240s fell through the cracks? They are not made anymore by Goodrich, but a after market Co. makes them: Sulastic (http://www.sulastic.com)
The 19k rear springs for U240's:
To my knowledge zero were OE, since my work with the B.F. Goodrich engineers was AFTER the last U240 was built (1995).
But, following my getting the 19k's installed at Foretravel factory and their driving on them, all rear springs from that time on that were ordered were 19k springs.
If on original 15k's, measure rear ride height and count number of shims. That will give you a pretty good idea of what you are looking at.
Yes, Sulastic (Mexican company), but owner lives in San Antonio, TX does make replacements. I have never seen one and do not know anything about their quality. Don't read that as negative-- I just have no first hand information. BTW, they drove over to League City and used my coach to do measurements for their replacements.