18 gears. WTF Chuck?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Michelangelo, May 22, 2010.

  1. DL550CAT

    DL550CAT Road Train Member

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    A 15 spd has the extra gears on the low side of the trans. You would drive it like a 10 spd most of the time. If you were hauling heavy or off road or needed more to start out on a steep grade you could flip the little blue botton shift as normal till you get to 5th gear deep reduction flip the botton again and shift into 4th and keep driving like a 10 speed. Its a great trans, even for a road truck cause the gears are spaced evenly and closer than a reg. 10 spd.
    As far as upgrading a 10 speed no can do! The only trans that can be changed is the convertable 9.
     
  2. xTHANATOPSISx

    xTHANATOPSISx Light Load Member

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    So I then could just convert the shift handle and go? I don't have a lot of need for a 18 most days either. I haul groceries a couple of my loads send me to Topeka, KS and about 2/3 of the time I get stopped at a light on one of the pretty steep grades in town.

    I can always get going but hauling what I haul, I'd like a smoother shift. The stuff moves around too easy because the warehouse wraps and stacks the stuff like they think its just taking a lap around the parking lot. Splitting the bottom of the box would help a ton. This has to be a 6%+ grade. My perishable loads don't shift around as easily as the frozens, but then I'm usually 80k+ with that so the weight makes it a pain.

    It's a residential area and I don't think the residents really enjoy me rapping the jakes between gears to get the RPMs matched quick, what with having straight pipes and all. I pride myself on never having to pick up my loads, but spiltting would make it easier. The frozen pallets will lean over really easily because they insist on putting half empty boxes of bread dough under 14 boxes of hashbrowns and frozen shrimp and weigh 25 pounds each.
     
  3. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Is it me, or is there something wrong with this post ?:biggrin_2556: Or is it that Im just out of touch with the latest technology.:biggrin_2558:
     
  4. VARITHMS

    VARITHMS Medium Load Member

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    We have the most useless 8 speed in a tilt bed lumber truck. Only the bottom (low range) split and you can't split while its moving.
     
  5. phroziac

    phroziac Road Train Member

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    Uh, thats because its an 8 speed. Infact, you arent supposed to split the bottom.
     
  6. groundpounder

    groundpounder Road Train Member

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    I'm back in an 18 speed now after having driven a 15 speed for the last 7.5 years (big hole against the dash) I miss the 15 to be honest.....before I got a hold of that 15 I was a die hard 18 speed guy.......

    not saying the 15 is better just prefer it..
     
  7. MagnaV30

    MagnaV30 Bobtail Member

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    The only thing I see you questioning there is the Jake shifting.... Or am I missing something?
     
  8. Iceman_biker

    Iceman_biker Light Load Member

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    All I can say is if you haven't learned to shift with the jake you haven't hauled heavy loads through rough terrain where you don't have time to wait for engine rpm's to drop, or the truck will stop. The way my truck is geared I go through 6 gears before I hit 15 mph. :biggrin_25524:
     
  9. MagnaV30

    MagnaV30 Bobtail Member

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    I agree. I often jake shift with the hills around here.
     
  10. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Is this a FACT ? Through out the years I've been driving, when I seen a driver shift with the jake switch on, I thought he was just showing off which made laugh thinking he was just trying to be cool.