18 speed

No truth to that rumor at all. If your transmission is an RTLO the low side of the high gear is an .86 overdrive anyway. The high side should be a .73. 7th and high is the direct or 1.

 

Hello Graymatters: I dont know about the technical end of the transmission, but i have always driven 18 speeds in the gear of my choice for as long as i wanted and have never known of it being a problem.
The 18 is a great transmission, especially if you do heavyhaul. It is nice to be able to split the low gears getting load rolling.

 

Its a manual trans, you can drive it around in any gear you want. I've got the 13 spd in mine which has all the same top gears and I run it around in 8th gear direct, have been for about two years now. No problems. I can even get into overdrive until I'm doing about 70mph.

 

I run mine in 17th all the time with no problems. The 18 spd has the lowest 1st gear you can get

 

I otta know better than listen to a salesman.
Hello again Graymatters: As i said before, hauling heavy, an 18 cant be beat. It is nice to be able to have the half gears on the low side getting the load rolling. My transmission has been worked hard (in my opinion) and it has taking the beating so far. I would never own anything else.
If running around empty or with light loads, the gears can be skipped. Drive it like a 9 speed or whatever combination desired. Just split the last couple of gears if more comfortable. Do whatever, that is the beauty of an 18.

 

I can't say I've ever had a need or desire for an 18spd. I get the choice thing but I've had most transmissions available and hauled fairly heavy (around 120k) and never had anytime where I wish I could split the lower gears. The truck I drive most of the time is a 13spd with 3:36 gears and big wheels and tires and I never even use low unless I'm just creeping along a gravel drive trying to keep the dust to a minimum. I had a 15spd before and NEVER split the lower gears. I also have a 10spd and hate not being able to split the higher ones, good thing I don't drive that truck. Just a question but how heavy is so heavy you need to shift 12 times before the trailer makes it through the traffic light, maybe a coal truck in WV?

Just a question not trying to hi-jack a thread or pick on anyone.