Originally Posted by D16

Nice looking truck!Can you share with us your average gross and MPG?

I haven't had it long enough to get a realistic average, but the according to the ECM printout it was ran at 76% load, avg speed was 68 and avg mpg was 6.2. The previous owner delivered heavy truck parts with it and it was a local type route, think he was home every day or so. As soon as I get some average numbers I will post.

The difference in the Autoshift and Utrashift is the pedal. The Autoshift is just that, you clutch it, it shifts. The Ultrashift is 100% automated. It still has a ceramic clutch, just the computer pushes it in and lets it out. I have to say it is the first one I have ever driven and I almost didn't even bother to test drive the truck as I was too leary of automatic car style transmissions... well I got schooled on that. Within the first 5 miles of driving city traffic I was sold. It is a bit awkward at first, I kept reachig for a shifter and searching for a clutch but I got over that in about 30 min. The flip side to it is, this summer when the wife comes along for a week or two, I may have her get her permit and can teach her a little of what I do.....

The ultrashift truck is kind of a pain when backing into a dock. You have to get the revs up, and it kind of grabs, and if you dont 2 foot it, you end up bouncing off the dock. I will take the autoshift, more control when backing. And with a ultrashift, when you are in heavy traffic, it can go into a CA (clutch abuse) mode, and will go into shut down operation. You end up having like 2 minutes to get the truck to the shoulder, or get up to speed to let the clutch cool off. A real pain if you ask me.

Originally Posted by englewoodcowboy

The difference in the Autoshift and Utrashift is the pedal. The Autoshift is just that, you clutch it, it shifts. The Ultrashift is 100% automated. It still has a ceramic clutch, just the computer pushes it in and lets it out. I have to say it is the first one I have ever driven and I almost didn't even bother to test drive the truck as I was too leary of automatic car style transmissions... well I got schooled on that. Within the first 5 miles of driving city traffic I was sold. It is a bit awkward at first, I kept reachig for a shifter and searching for a clutch but I got over that in about 30 min. The flip side to it is, this summer when the wife comes along for a week or two, I may have her get her permit and can teach her a little of what I do.....

Originally Posted by LaPurr

The ultrashift truck is kind of a pain when backing into a dock. You have to get the revs up, and it kind of grabs, and if you dont 2 foot it, you end up bouncing off the dock. I will take the autoshift, more control when backing. And with a ultrashift, when you are in heavy traffic, it can go into a CA (clutch abuse) mode, and will go into shut down operation. You end up having like 2 minutes to get the truck to the shoulder, or get up to speed to let the clutch cool off. A real pain if you ask me.

Thanx guys!
I'm finding your posts to be educational, as I've never driven either of the "auto" shifting features. And probably wouldn't if I had a choice.

My favorite transmissions have 13 forward gears -- I'll take an 18-speed in a pinch. I've learned to drive them and drive them well. That was a goal I enjoyed reaching. Used to listen to the tanker-yankers when they were shifting -- and tried to shift like they do. It worked.
Up-shift -- down-shift -- no clutch, no problem. I like it that way'.
And NO cruise control.

I take pride in my, hot knife through butter, shifting ability -- which often SOUNDS like an "auto" shifter.

"Auto" shifters only imitate talented feet. How well, I don't really know. So, I guess my question is, do you think a Big truck truck driver like me would be able to handle an "auto" shifter?
I have my doubts if I'd appreciate an "auto".
But, the day may come.

Thanx again for an interesting subject.

Well all I can say is time will tell for me. I was looking for a convertable 9, 13 or 18 and came across this rig. She had low miles (118k for an 05) and the price was right. I took it for a spin and quickly started to like it. I am going to pick it up next week as I had a rigmaster installed, new rubber and a secon bunk. I am also training my little brother (he did graduate a trucking schoool in Nov. but has 0 experience over the road) so I also thought the Ultra would be one less worry for me. I know all the newbies like to drive and shift hammer down (heck I sure as hell did 10 years ago and on someone elses dime) this time I am the one paying the fuel and repair/maint bills so I thought why not. I know MM doesn't like his but it is a company truck and I am certain they have the parameters set light. This being a show truck and never having the governer turned down I am sure it will run loose.

Originally Posted by englewoodcowboy

Well all I can say is time will tell for me. I was looking for a convertable 9, 13 or 18 and came across this rig. She had low miles (118k for an 05) and the price was right. I took it for a spin and quickly started to like it. I am going to pick it up next week as I had a rigmaster installed, new rubber and a secon bunk. I am also training my little brother (he did graduate a trucking schoool in Nov. but has 0 experience over the road) so I also thought the Ultra would be one less worry for me. I know all the newbies like to drive and shift hammer down (heck I sure as hell did 10 years ago and on someone elses dime) this time I am the one paying the fuel and repair/maint bills so I thought why not. I know MM doesn't like his but it is a company truck and I am certain they have the parameters set light. This being a show truck and never having the governer turned down I am sure it will run loose.

Sounds like a rare find.
Sounds comfortable, too.
I hope everything works out for you and your new ride.

I agree, auto shifting might help a newBe, at first. But I'm thinkin' that there MUST be feel to drive 'em right.
Right?
Or am I wrong?

I'm thinkin' it might be fun to figure it out. But once that's accomplished, are they fun to drive?

I sure don't mind a clutch in heavy traffic either. It causes me to INCREASE my following distance -- and just keep 'er rollin'. I like the sudden deceleration when I lift, rather than that coasting feeling. I want to "feel" my engine -- and use it. Drive on the engine, rather than over it.
Does that make ANY sense?

Originally Posted by AfterShock

I sure don't mind a clutch in heavy traffic either. It causes me to INCREASE my following distance -- and just keep 'er rollin'. I like the sudden deceleration when I lift, rather than that coasting feeling. I want to "feel" my engine -- and use it. Drive on the engine, rather than over it.
Does that make ANY sense?

I hear ya. I thought the same thing to but when you need to slow and have that drag you just push the low button and it will hold down just like the manual. I think when you have the jake on it will do that on it's own, but we will see. My plan is to run my brother and train him well for a year and a half to two years, then buy another rig and kick him out... Now being it is my business he will keep Blue and I will get something new....