Are 9 speeds making a comeback ?

The truck I used to drive had a 10 speed. The owner dropped a rebuilt 13 in it early September. Performance was greatly improved, with the ability to stay in the power band. Fuel mileage increased from 5.5 to 5.75.

I just bought a truck with a convertible 9 speed. It's in the shop right now, finishing out an overhead and replacing the cams. I'm having the mechanic install the converter to make it a 13 speed. The gaps between the gears puts you so far out of the power band it's difficult to maintain speed on hills, although it does have decent torque down to 1200 rpm

 

I know Knight Transportation buys majority 9 spd convertibles. Or at least they did before converting to AMTs. So I'd say the 9 spd is still fairly common, just overshadowed a bit by 10 spds

 

Werner used to run 9 speeds also, and would convert them before selling/leasing. This was back in 2004 that I drove for them though.

 

I drive an 06 Volvo with a 9 speed. Just patiently waiting for the boss to convert it to a 13 speed..

 

Fyi guys, all a 9 speed is, is a 13 missing the splitter box on the back of the tranny. Its a fairly easy and cheap upgrade. The worse part is finding a decent machine shop to shorten and rebalance the drive shaft.

 

The convertible ones don't need driveshaft work.

 

Are you saying they are just missing the splitter switch itself?

 

Basically. The switch and (I think) 2 air lines.

 

If this is the case, i would advise everyone considering one of these to educate themselves on what a 9/13 looks like. The splitter box and couple airlines is cheap, 200 bucks probably. The splitter box with the splitter gear inside it is still cheap, but gonna be a couple grand by the time you get the shaft made. Be sure you know how to verify it has the splitter box on the end of the tranny so you aren't getting taken for a ride by a used Taanus l truck salesman.

 

I've never done one myself but the conversion kit is like $500 or so and that's all you need. Here's one on eBay. Looks like a new shifter, solenoid, and misc hardware.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/EATON-FULLER-...-KNOB-CONVERSION-KIT-FUL-K-3338-/191952733325