10 to 13 speed

So how did you drive it...???

What gears do you split???

 

Well, Iong time ago i used to drive it as recommended by manufacturer for short period, double clutch every gear shift, but i got lazy, i use clutch only to engage in first or low gear when start moving and shift instinctively listening to engine RPM and sometimes i skip half gears/ red switch with light loads. I get good fuel economy , over 8mpg with this transmission, allows smooth progressive transition to higher speed without revving up the engine. My first truck was a 10 speed, not sure what gear ratio,and i remember back then, speed limit was 55mph in IL,OH , bears in every bush had to stay around 55mph, but with heavy loads my D60 was not having the proper gear 9th gear was keeping the rpm too high and 10th was too low, to drive economically.

 

A 15 works great when you are getting going or maneuvering around slowly. I have two of them; one in a dump truck and one in a equipment delivery truck, and they excel in that application. Once on the road they suffer the same issues 10 speeds do (in my opinion).. not being able to split gears with heavy loads on your way up to top speed and especially not being able to split the overdrive gears to maintain RPM's on inclines at highway speeds.

Basically the same experience I had.. 9 was too much RPM for 55mph, 10 was lugging the engine. At 65mph I was fine in 10 until I hit a hill, but not being able to split (like an 13 or 18) killed me when it was time to downshift.

I don't know how many different 13 speeds there are, or even 18 speeds, but there are a bunch. Not all have the same ratios. I happen to love my two 18sp trucks vs. the 13 spd we have. I have a lower low gear in the 18 vs.the 13 in low gear and reverse, but the 18 can be left in H (skipping the L shifts) in the gears before the range split to get going more smoothly with light loads than I can the 13. 18's live long as well. I have one with 1.3 million on it so far.

 

I dug into it one time, they are identical internally except the 18 has a bearing where the 13 has a bushing, on the aux mainshaft, IIRC. It's because of the unique power path of the 18 in low range and high split.

 

If its already out, or coming out put the 13 back in. I went from a 10 to a 13. And will not go back.
If its already out you will be happy you did.

 

was yours a mechanical clutch? No issues there? Speed sensor worked correctly? Anything else I need to know? I’m about to swap the spicer 10 out for an Eaton fro-16210c.

 

Did you ever get this swap done?

 

If you are planning to do a swap, be mindful of your engine torque rating. I didn’t. I went from a 13/1850ft lb to an 18/1850 ft lbs, but the engine went from 475hp to 650. Big hole gear grenaded in O’DonnellTX while pulling a super load. Lost 17/18th gears.

On your door jam, your transmission model number and torque specs should be listed. 13 speeds generally have higher torque ratings than 10s, but there are different models of each.