Good night from...

Well you know me, I'm a drama queen lol. Actually my truck never came with the Leased to Swift decals and I was none the wiser on the subject all these months. DOT said I can just buy some cheapo decals at a truck stop and put them on or even write than on a piece of cardboard and duct tape it to the doors, just have to have a competent Swiftie sign off on the 'fix' and fax it back to Kansas within 15 days before people start dying en masse on the nation's highways.

 

Huandu, China. Small place from Guangzhou, cleaner air, less pollution and close to the airport

 

At home ... guess I'll just stay here until you fix your truck and it's safe to go back out on the highway again.

 

Taking an impromptu 34 at the house. Was running a little shy on hours anyway.

 

Unloaded at the local Kenworth store. Went in and inquired about upgrading to a 13 speed. $112 for the parts-- told them it is a go, I'm on hometime

Dad, I'm really digging this 13 speed!

 

Back in Phoenix. Got to the airport and turned on my phone in CA at 1230, and two messages from DM. I am on safety hold for something to do with HOS and the 90 day DOT. Tried for 2.5 hours to call them, and all that I got was the darn hold. Tell me to call them, and can not even get through, and this was waiting at times up to 10 minutes.

Scottie, good going on the 13 speed. I am also going to get it done, just to not know where. Talked to KW in PHX, $440, and this includes the part. Talked to another driver, and he asked when he was in Vegas, and they wanted $1K. I am not sure what they are thinking. KW in PHX told me that the Swift shop could do it. Now really sure about that.

 

The final bill was $390 parts and labor so $440 is more in the ballpark vice $1k.

There is another option the guy was telling me (if I understood right) that they go into the transmission and install this kit that electronically upshifts the top two gears (7,8 ) to 11,12th without driver input. Costs a little more, less likely for operator error to damage tranny. Advantage of the straight 13 speed on the other hand is higher resale value. Mechanic says oftentimes the driver comes back and says they don't notice any difference with the upgrade and are not impressed.
Edit-- just remembered, maybe they wanted to charge that guy $1k because he didn't have the converter box thingie attached to the transmission already.

Hopefully you can get off safety hold pretty quick and get to rolling soon.

 

I wil get off safety hold with no problem. DOT inspection and get that done in the yard. Do not know what the HOS one is. DM's did not want to answer the phone all afternoon. I remember that the mechanic that works out of Denver, said will charge less than $200, as long as I bring the parts, cost for them, abt $48. Already know that as soon as off Safety Hold, being routed back to KC so that I can start and play around with Wally World out of Moberly.

 

Scottie, do NOT get that autoshift option. I had it on a Super 10 and it was nothing but a hassle in the hills. Durned thing could never figure out which gear to be in and picked the worst times to shift back and forth. I hated that thing.

 

Bluebonn,
If you were home you might have felt The Great Texas Earthquake of 2011! Friends of mine felt it in NB as did I in NW San Antonio near I-410 and Culebra.
Frank

PS: Go to mysa.com for details.