Horsepower Needed

What you need to ask is how fast do you want to climb these hills?

 

If speed is not a concern then its not about horsepower... Its about gearing!... They used to haul some incredibly heavy loads in the 40s, 50s, and 60s with 300 or 400 hp trucks... It's all about the gearing.

 

More like 180 or 220 hp The biggest motor cummins had back then was the Supercharged NHRS 320

 

A 300hp mack with a 5 speed would do what you want just not very fast, for what it sounds like you are doing just about any class 8 tuck will do.

 

You want very low geared rear ends... And a transmission with short gears.... It wont be fast, but if its setup right it will tear the roots of the Tree of Life and Death from Heaven and Hell.

 

I like hem 40, 50, and 60, 300 and 400 horse motors, hell I still have an old truck with a 471 jimmy in it, a 56 model. I am not sure what it is, maybe 120, maybe. lol

An l 10 cummins will do anything you need, motor is not important, Most important to keep something together with no trouble will be the rears, no higher than 410's, 529's would be better 40's will get you by, but 46's would be much better, I would not be looking at 10 spd's, you really want something more in line with an 8LL or even a 15, something with the deep reduction gears, for taking off with big loads in the dirt.

 

Here to learn, so my question would be stupid as hell im guessing, but wouldn’t a 18 speed just do everything and then some with the right gearing?

Mind as well have it and not need it than need it not have it.