13 Speed: Probably a stupid question, but...

Did you see exactly what is the kit? It's not like he bolted on an extra gear box. Different shifter & airlines?

 

I've never done the conversion but I would imagine the transmission is probably a 13 speed but with a 9 speed shift knob on it. I'm sure I'll be corrected very shortly lol.

 

The kit is basically a new air line and shift knob with the splitter under your thumb. You were correct in your previous post, that mega's buy "convertible 9's" so they can get better value when they sell the truck. They run them as 9's so newbies aren't overwhelmed, but serious buyers are looking for 13's.

My truck was originally specced for Swift owner/operator. The owner never bothered with the conversion. Of course, he never bothered with a number of things...

 

Ah yes! Good old Quadraplex!

 

I have a 10 speed in my T800 ISX 15 485 hp, rear end 355. No power on hills, should I replace with a true 13 or thoughts anyone.

 

Oh and I pull 79,500 everyday.

 

Ha! I told you boys a box pattern exsisted!

 

That's an expensive thing to do. The only reason the owner of the truck I drove replaced the 10 speed with a rebuilt 13 is because the oil cooler in the 10 speed was inside the transmission, and had repeatedly leaked coolant into the transmission fluid. That transmission was on its last legs, so making the choice to get a 13 was easy.

If you pick up about 0.25 mpg as we did, then do the math on return on investment, assuming your 10 speed is running fine. On the other hand, if you are pulling a lot of heavy loads in the hills and just want to have the joy of splitting gears and keeping your rpm's in high horsepower range (and perhaps reduce wear and tear on your engine), then go for it. Plan on several days downtime for the installation.

 

Take a year to pay out, but poor trucks that get behind me even the Megas pass, until I get back on flat.