I think the turbo is fine. It is brand new. I can hear it whistling "Dixie" as I accelerate. Everything feels nice and tight when I do my pre/post trips. But I'll do the soapy water test and get it checked out anyway. Thanks.
Putting a little money into my truck. What should I prioritize?
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by gekko1323, Sep 9, 2022.
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@Big Road Skateboard @Short Fuse EOD
@D.Tibbitt @Haulin @Chieftains @lester @Siinman
@BoxCarKidd @wore out
So I have a little surprising update. I had mentioned earlier that my truck loses power on any little hill. It turns out I really wasn't driving/shifting her correctly. I will give you guys a general observation and maybe you guys can tell me the mechanical reason behind it. Kind of like a mechanical X's and O's.
So my first two jobs were at Stevens and Melton respectively. I drove mechanical 9 and 10 speeds at these companies. I noticed that the sweet spots in these trucks were at between 1300-1400 rpm. This was how I was driving my current truck. So I would hit a hill at 1300 rpm in 8th direct (18th speed) and she would die. I ended up having to shift down sometimes to 5D or even 5L (12th and 11th).
Well, on this last trip, I set the cruise control at 1500 rpm in 8D or 8L, and she was taking these same hills like a champ! She was also surprisingly quiet. I could even hear the turbo whistling her favorite tune. I took Tehachapi and those hills on I-15 before getting into NV from CA in 8L and I didn't even have to downshift. I think once I had to go down to 7D (16th). I was even blowing by other trucks! This had me tickled pink because two weeks ago I was getting passed by mule trains hauling chuck wagons!
So what gives? Can someone explain the difference behind the change? I also noticed that my jakes were holding great this time around with the change in driving habit.
Looking forward to your insights.Chieftains Thanks this. -
Different trucks cruise different. The way I’m spec’ed I cruise at 1550 rpm 17th gear at 65mph. Doing up hills I usually run at 1600-1650 rpm. My rig doesn’t like 18 th gear until I run closer to 72 or faster, so 17 is we’re I keep it. I’m sure most guys with a dd15 probably run at lower rpm. Glad you are getting to know your truck. Don’t be worried about testing things out. Keep an eye on gauges.
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I run X15 performance series 565/2050 18sp 3.25 rears and phoenix chicken lights.
I only is 18 when I need to run or it’s time sensitive freight. Lately I have been having plenty of time with my loads.D.Tibbitt, Siinman, Rideandrepair and 2 others Thank this. -
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Somebody else here recently mentioned owning a 60 and pulling hills at 1300. Several of us advised against that.
I downshift at 1500 most of the time climbing. I like keeping pulling rpm's around 17-1800
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