Companies running automatic transmissions?

I can see that could be a problem yeah..LOL

Having never driven an auto shift myself I'm surprised that its that close to the wheel..I understand being on the column because many a pick up is on the column so its more familiar to newer drivers but #####..looks like if it was any closer the steering wheel would hit it..LOL

I wonder if maybe there is an aftermarket shifter that would mount to the stock location that would give you more room?...Could even get one custom made..If you own your own truck perhaps a swing through to the chrome shop mafia and see if they couldn't create a custom shifter for it..or similar fab shop maybe? To me that is a serious issue/design flaw in the layout

Petey

 

Yeah and here is the" shifter"

 

Surely somebody could come up with a nice chromed or machined aluminum stalk to transfer those controls to...take some of the bend forward out of the stalk itself and make it stick out straighter from the column to give you more room between the wheel and it.

have to be hollow to route the wiring harness..cut the end of the stock stalk off..clue in a threaded fitting and ..screw it on..run the wires back through..plug em in..mount

could gain at least an inch of room from the looks of it..

Petey

 

Yeah I wish. Company truck though. We are talking with Diamler about it.We've thought about replacing with a stock Eaton push panel(I don't have a pic anymore) mounted on the dash.
We can't do anything without their permission or risk voiding warranty.

The couple people we have talked to say placement is for the "flappy paddle"" shifting in manual so you do not have to release the wheel to shift.

 

ah..

I can't argue with their reasoning but sometimes they over esign things..a simple +/- push button set up (like audio controls in the steering wheel of cars) with a manual mode button built into the wheel itself would have sufficed i think.

Petey

 

Yeah but then you can't act like one of those over grown weed whackers speed shifting out of a red light

 

sure ya can..just gotta get real quick with the thumb..practice on an x box controller..lmao

petey

 

Why would someone go to school to get a license if they don't want to do the job?

 

Well, I've never driven a truck, always wanted to, and was planning to attend Sage School very soon. Today, I went to visit the school, mostly to get in the truck and test my left leg.

So bummed here... I can't push in the clutch (or not w/out agonizing pain). I broke my knee cap and tore ligaments last spring, had surgery in May.

The instructor named a few companies that use automatic trucks, US Express and Trans-Am, but I doubt I can suffer the 44 hrs of training w/ that clutch. Their trucks were old, but he said all trucks spring clutches are that hard.

I would most prefer driving stick shift, do not wish to learn on automatics, but can understand why some drivers feel the need for an automatic transmission.

I guess I'll remain a 'wannabe' until I can get my leg stronger. One more reason to push myself and do some major work out. Perhaps in 6 months.

BTW, on my way home, I ran into a very nice Walmart dedicated driver at the store. We struck a conversation, I told him about my disappointment, and he suggested some school in AR where they train on automatics. In NY, I'd have to take the CDL test on a stick shift. He gave me a tour of his WM Truck, and that was some NICE rig.

 

Sorta the same here. Training at North Texas Institute sponsored by Goodwill.
We've got 2 Freightshakers, one 9 and 10 speed. The clutch isn't as stiff as I thot it would be, and I enjoy trying to slide the gears as smooth as possible. But... I'm seriously considering TransAm because my knees aren't what they used to be. They also have a terminal sorta close to where I live by Ft Worth.
Also considering May, but closest terminal is Denver.
Mary