13 and 18 speeds

Exactly. I thought that was the way, but like I said, the only lowside splitting I've done is 4th. Ya know, there is a certain right hand up hill turn I have to make every day, usually from a dead stop, with at least 120k gross, that's my loads on the low side. Anyway, I usually make the turn in 2nd, and wait until i get up the hill, about a truck length, then go for 3rd. Seems like it takes forever. I'm going to split 2nd next time, that should make a difference.
Until I read where DR didn't use a split, I was a bit confused. I was thinking being on the low split on the low side, was DR.

 

Yes that that turn and hill is exactly where that 18 speed comes into its own, such a beautiful machine. And after abit of practice and you get it perfect its heavenly (also known to cause redirectiont of blood flow Lmao)
I'd like to know, what rig do you have, trailers? I just love that 18 with the 4.11 rears I find it perfect for Africa.

 

Today I think the only direct drive manual trans is a 10 speed. ( I think. I might be wrong. Im the first to admit I dont know it all.) In previous trannys their were usually an over drive and a direct drive for each model. 9s, 10s, 13s and 15s all had OD and direct drive models. Ive heard that their was even an 18 direct but ive never seen one. Early ODs had a "u" shift patern not the regular "H" pattern. Low, 1 and 2 were the same but 3and 4 were backward. You will hear drivers say they miss the big hole against the dash or slam it to the dash and mash on the gas! They are talking about the old "RTO" over drive Roadrangers. "RTX" are over drives with a normal shift pattern. New trannys are "RTLO" for the ODs. All Direct drives are "RT"s.

 

^ The old twin sticks were reversed in the last 2 gears on both sticks. We called any newer trans. like a 10 spd w/ reversed last 2 gears a 10 over. Smashed my hand into the dash a few times on the big hole, going hard for the yard.

 

I just figured out that you ment deep reduction (DR) and not direct drive. Your right all deep reduction trannys are not a splitter but a seperate range box. You put them in and out with a button just like a splitter but its a much bigger jump in ratio. Sometimes even more than a whole gear in the tranny. Its more like putting a 4x4 into 4 low. 7LLs, 8LLs and 9LLs are all like this. The 15 speed is a closer ratio and is more like a split. A 15 speed only has 12 useable ratios in a row. What ever gear you in when useing deep reduction you need to down shift the main tranny one gear when taking it out of deep reduction. You can shift them several ways but I found low low 1,2,3 then down shift to 2nd at the same time you take it out of deep reduction. Then shift 2,3,4,5 change to high range 6,7,8,9,10.
To Identify a deep reduction tranny look at the button on the side. All deep reduction trannys are bule. A 13 is red, 18 is grey, super 10 is grey with no high low renge on the front. Regular 8s, 9s and 10s have no side button onlt the front high low.

 

We'll have to disagree on this one. Every truck maker now has the same stuff as Mack. But I'd take an older Mack over any of the newer trucks for off road anyday!

 

You cannot get the triple countershaft Mack transmissions built into any other truck make, nor can you get the Mack drive axles in truck other than a Mack. Mack is also the only manufacturer to offer the Camelback suspension...can't get it from any other truck manufacturer. Volvo engines share the same blocks, but Mack's engineers tuned their engines far superior to those of the Volvo engineers. You can't get the Mack version in any truck other than a Mack.

Engines are Mack exclusive.
Transmissions are Mack exclusive.
Drive axles are Mack exclusive.
Suspension is Mack exclusive.

Can't get 'em from any other truck manufacturer.

Period.

End of sentence.

You can, however, derate a Mack to be the same crappy truck as any other truck on the road by spec'ing a vendor transmission, rears, or suspension. Mack quit offering vendor engines when they introduced the MP10...up until then, they used Cummins for their customers needing a bigger powerplant....and many years ago, Caterpillar was even an option. As of now, if you buy a new Mack, it will have a Mack engine....which regretfully is nothing more than a beefed up Volvo engine.

You can thank the EPA more than anybody else for Volvo's acquisition of Mack. Mack just wasn't "big" enough to keep up with the emissions regulations as fast as they were changing....EGR, DPF, SCR....all BS mandates.

 

You know what they call a Mack driver,right?

 

Nope, tell me?

 

Ok let me rephrase my statement.... You can get just a good of stuff on other trucks now a days thats just as good as Mack stuff. Back 10-20 yrs ago you couldn't.

Other motors are just as good if not better. I've talked to many Mack owners who are not happy with performance since Volvo and the EPA.

Camelback is nothing to brag about unless you want to talk about how bad it beats you up. Its still very durable but now others have much better riding suspensions that are just a durable. Hendrickson always had a heavy duty big spring suspension similar to Mack, heck they probably stole the idea from them.

I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the point that most other brands have come along way in the off-road department.

Yeah but in the mud that A-hole was probably pulling everyone else out....lol