Gear Ratios: Misinformation at its worst.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hammer166, Apr 28, 2021.

  1. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    I pretty much read all the post, and if I we’re to need SOLID information, I’m relying on Hammer’s info. In his post, I feel a lot of confidence in his knowledge. I have no idea what the anatomy of the truck transmission internally is. But, again, if I have to spend the big money on one, Hammer would get my call.
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Gearing doesn't make much difference in the speed you pull a hill either. At the end of the day the torque to the wheels is the same. With a taller rear ratio you just compensate for it with a deeper ratio in the transmission.
     
  4. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Thanks for the vote of confidence War. I don't pretend to be infallible, but I'm #### sure not suffering from backrowitis either.


    Yup! It's really easy to get a tall geared truck act like a shorter geared truck by dropping a couple of gears. That doesn't work the other way around when you want to drop your RPM while cruising.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2021
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Myself I'd rather have a little more ooomph down low. I can imagine how hard a 2.XX ratio would be on everything if trying to get moving out of a hole when loaded. Just screams twisted driveshaft to me.
     
  6. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    I wonder if they have to go one size up on drive shaft because of that? I've never been curious enough to go see how much lower low gear is in one of those direct-drive trannies
     
  7. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    From my spec sheet, here are the ratios for a 12 speed Paccar transmission.

    1st 14.4
    2nd 11.0
    3rd 8.44
    4th 6.46
    5th 4.95
    6th 3.79
    7th 2.91
    8th 2.23
    9th 1.71
    10th 1.30
    11th 1.00
    12th .766

    R1 16.92
    R2 12.95

    Not a direct drive like the topic here, but it is spec’d with 2.79 rears to down speed the engine to run in peak torque.
     
  8. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    13's are 12.31, so yours is basically a split lower than that.

    Edit: I had to go look it up that's the same low is in the current 18-speed
     
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  9. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I have 2.62's and a direct drive FRF-15210b. 1st doesn't seem very low. Never looked at the speed at idle, but it doesn't "feel" low like a compound gear. For what it's worth, the truck idles at 5mph in 3rd gear, 10mph in 5th. And put on a seatbelt if you want to go backwards.
     
  10. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    You're about the same as an RTLO 13 with 3. 25 rears in low... Only 3% taller. And yeah, it's dang sure gotta a low reverse! It'd take all day to back a couple blocks! Lol
     
  11. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    I always thought it would be hilarious to pull a roll-off trailer with campers on it with a two axle long nose Pete with a C16 under the hood. Obviously you'd need an 18 speed too just in case the turbo started to accidently spool on a hill.
     
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