International Prosatar/Maxxforce: Worthless junk!!!

I have read your post about the ProStar with a Maxxforce engine, and the only reply that I can think of is that it is spec'd out wrong. The Maxxforce 13 475hp engine with the right gear ratio WILL pull just as good as any Cummins, Cat, or Detroit! I have sold several of these trucks with the MaxxForce 13... granted I spec'd the first one out with the wrong gear ratio and it did not pull as well, but the rest have been great... and these are coming from Peterbilt guys! You cannot use the same old gear ratios that the older engines use to achieve power, these are different engines. You have also attacked the interior of the Prostar... this is the most comfortable and best riding truck ever made! I realize I sell International for a living, but I have driven everything and nothing is a nice or comfortable as this truck... nothing, and this is even coming from Pete guys who wouldn't drive anything but a hood!

 

Been doing my research on a new truck with possibly doing the Maxxforce thing. What rear end ratio are you primarily recommending? I have seen a lot of them listed in truck paper, etc, with 3.21 ratios. My guess is that the engine will be turning roughly 1300 at 65 mph with low pro 22.5 rubber. Ballpark?

I am not quite convinced that that would be the right ratio for me overall. I know that the 3.42 rear in back of my ISX are a little high for what I do. I have to run a fair amount of two lane roads and I generally do not run over 62 with occasional bumps up to 65 (and the occasional bump up to 80 just to get around a bunch of company trucks playing tiddly winks in both lanes because they can't pass each other). For my current setup, 3.58's would have been a better choice. I realize the MF-13 engine is designed to get torque at a lower RPM, but going to 3.21 would not a be a great idea unless I was only on flat, four lane roads all the time and consistently running 65 or more. I was considering staying with the 3.42 ratio if I got a Maxxforce. Maybe, just maybe, consider 3.36. Would be sticking with a 13 spd.

Just wanted to know what ratios you are advising when customer orders their truck.

 

you must mean the proprietary compression brake on the Maxxforce. The MF didn't get a true jake brake as an option until recently. That should make a whale of a difference from now on. I have never experienced a good proprietary compression brake on anything.

 

Maxxforce 13

 

Best. Post. Ever.

 

Some of these things concern me. I was thinking about having a look at a Prostar. I guess I'll just have to take one for a spin and see.


EDIT: After reading more posts in the thread... maybe it isn't such a concern.

 

Yes, this thread was started a long time ago and it seems that IH may have worked out the bugs.... I too have been looking at the Prostar due to driver reccomendations. But so far, I can't see spending all that $$$ for a new truck, when a $20k truck will do the same thing.

 

sweet spot is 1375 rpms on the MF13. Ive been specing 3.36 with a 22.5LP, and 3.58 if using 11R22.5. The mechanical clutch linkage has been replaced with hydraulic, and the engine now has a Jacobs brand compression brake if they were concerns for you.

 

I was really starting to get concerned about him. He kept complaining about the "Jake" (By which I assume he meant an engine brake although they make exhaust brakes as well) when the truck wasnt equipped with one.

PS I dont much like the sleeper on my Ram 1500 either.