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.

  1. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  3. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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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.
     
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  4. Short Fuse EOD

    Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

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    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.
     
  5. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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    What are you driving? I have the 14L Series 60. 515hp and 3.55rr. So you hardly use 18th, huh? In Cali I can't use 18th because of the 55 speed limit.
     
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  6. Short Fuse EOD

    Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

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    I like your set up!
    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.
     
  7. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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    Is that your rig in your profile pic? She looks like a MONSTER.
     
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  8. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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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
     
  9. Short Fuse EOD

    Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

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    That’s her.
     
  10. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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    Yeah, she's a beauty.
     
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  11. gekko1323

    gekko1323 Road Train Member

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    Well, at least now I don't have to worry about doing the overheads just yet. I guess the loss of compression when I hit hills was due to my driving technique. So now I will concentrate on the suspension. I just put new rubber on the drives. I spent $3000 for the set, including tax and mounting. I left him my old drives as a "tip" because they were still good. The old ones were actually TRAILER tires, Goodyear LHT. I didn't want to run those in the winter. I got a set of Gripowers. No one has really heard of them, but the guy here in Vegas says he sells a LOT and he has never had complaints. They are 16-ply and hold 120psi cold. Made in Thailand. We shall see...
     
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