Where is everyone #5

So the only positive note today is that the t bar I ordered from DAK Chrome showed up on time, cut properly, the correct amount size and placement of light holes, electrical holes, and air fitting holes:

IN POLISHED STAINLESS & I had thought it was coming paintable fiberglass.
Man that place is legit.

 

Took an extra day off today. Probably should have worked, but by the time Easter festivities were all done it was way to late to get ready to be gone by 0100 am.

 

Munching at The Tennessean for a late lunch...

I am...unsure how to feel about the auto.

 

Beside the Boobie Bungalow...?

 

Chrome Shop Mafia is designing an extension where the auto shifter extends three feet so you can reach up to put it in PRNDL. Just watch yourself getting to the sleeper.

 

Stopped at a Staples for a couple things. Young lady working the till. Asked her if they sold small stereos anywhere. Blank stare. She then said to try the speakers in aisle 9. No stereos. She asked me what was wrong with speakers. I asked how I get FM radio on a wireless speaker. Blank stare.

Never mind.....

 

It’s just...####, I don’t know what to think about it.

It was a 10 speed as in 10 forward gears. Paccar motor. Didn’t feel too bad once you got it going down the road but there was a lot of things I didn’t like.

- it cruises at 1180rpm. Superb for flatland fuel economy. The road dips at all and you’re climbing an overpass, it will downshift, guaranteed. You’re practically lugging the entire time.

- it’s either in go mode or stop mode. You can’t crawl like you can with a manual. Heavy traffic? It’s either slowing you down or you’re speeding up.

- it’s jerky in the lower gears. Pulling off the fuel island and around the truck stop... I just cannot get it to maintain a certain speed. You have to apply an ungodly amount of throttle for it to shift normally... but then your hauling ###. You can’t simply “maintain” with it. You’re going or your stopping.

- ITS JERKY IN THE LOWER GEARS. seriously. A kid out of a three week driving school can drive smoother than this thing.

- reverse is wonky. It’s not like a car where you let off the brakes and it’ll creep. You’re applying throttle the entire time. I’m empty when doing this too. Can’t wait to be heavy and having to back with this...

- eh. Give me a manual.

 

Can ya put it in manual and hold a gear when ya need to creep around slow?

 

Wow.

Shoulda asked her where the “telephones” are.

 

Honestly, you probably could. I only had like 200 miles with it so I didn’t really mess around as much as I would’ve liked... I actually recovered the truck for a driver here at Birmingham. He hurt his knee somehow and is out on light duty — didn’t wanna screw around with something that isn’t mine.

The biggest thing with the automatic is how slow and wonky it is. Merging across traffic you really have to lean into the accelerator for it to have any get up and go. It’s gonna rock and slam as it goes through the gears — as if someone was learning how to double clutch in school — yes, it’s that loud. It’s not very smooth nor confidence inspiring. Those bottom 1-4 gears are horrendous.

I’m not sure if it’s the same transmission as we have in our new 680s. I’ve heard those are relatively smooth.... smooth compared to what? I wasn’t too impressed. Can’t argue with the indicated MPGs though.

Did 10mpg indicated. Compared to 8.5mpg indicated I did with the 10 speed. Granted... the auto was a midroof vs the condo 10 speed. The gearing is also drastically different... my old 660 would see 8.0mpg empty.

Realistically probably 1.0-1.5mpg better at best in the flats.