Need some old timer advice please,

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by KANSAS TRANSIT, Dec 28, 2019.

  1. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    As some of you may remember a little while back I brought home a 372 Pete. My plans for this truck are to turn it into a straight truck 3 car hauler, basically it will be used as a shuttle or final destination del. truck for my semis when they bring loads back into kansas with a couple of stragglers on that would take them way out of there way without any hopes of a reload.

    So here is my dilemma truck has the original BC4 NTC 315 and direct drive 9 speed, both are very low mileage units and the motor runs excellent, truck is on lopro 24.5 with 3.90 rears, so 2000 rpm is all of about 61 mph.

    I really dont want to change out the pumpkins, and I need to be in the 70+ range, so i am looking at two options, both are a bit out of the main stream but i have my reasons.

    First option would be to swap out the 9 sp for a super 10, reason for this choice is it gives me a .75 over which i think will get me to 70 at about 1700, also i am simply not a big fan of the no feel cable shifters and this on needs work, so the less times i have too move the stick the better, I have had a super 10 in the past and found it decent after i got used to it.

    Second choice is an Allison MD3060, 6 sp full auto has a 1 to 14th a .75 5th and a .65 6th, this would put me closer to 1500 at 70, i know everyone always says dont run the big cams to low on rpm, but i think 1500 would be ok? Dont forget max weight of this truck including cargo would never exceed 44,000 pounds.

    Both trannys should be fine as 315hp and 1250tq is within even the automatics range.

    I am leaning towards the auto, found one for a good price and it is exactly the same length as my 9 sp, also getting rid of the cable shifter and taking out the clutch pedal would give me some nice floor space.

    As far as I can tell the allison carries its own ECM and only requires batt power and a TPS switch under the throttle to work. Have at it, all opinions welcome, thx
     
    bzinger Thanks this.
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  3. Atlaw4u

    Atlaw4u Heavy Load Member

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    For your needs it looks like the auto is the best option.
     
    bzinger and Bakerman Thank this.
  4. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    I have the MD3060 in an FL112 behind a Cat C10, awesome transmission.
    This was a single axle tractor that we stretched and put a box on it.
    I think you’ll be much happier with the automatic.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Is there a way to lockout top gear for the auto when loaded up with max weight?
    If not as long as you have a pyro and pay attention it shouldn’t be a big deal at 1500.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Well, I beg to differ. You can't ask an old-timers advice and then say an automatic is an option. I can't say for the "other " old-timers, but I've got 3 million+ changing gears, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
     
    Hulld, Deere hunter, clausland and 4 others Thank this.
  7. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    1500 would be the low end of where I’d want to run a big cam. But you also won’t have much weight and can always downshift the auto to bring rpm’s up if you start getting things a little warm.
     
    Lonesome and bzinger Thank this.
  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Counting @“semi” retired I know at least 2 that preferred shifting. :cool:
     
  9. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    They started offering highway truck transmissions back in the 70’s so there must’ve been some of you old timers that were lazy and didn’t want to shift.
     
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  10. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Am I the only one that noticed his truck number is written in letters? Me like.
     
  11. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    I would not run a big cam below 1700 rpm, ugly stuff happens when you drag them down too far. Throw some 11r24.5s on it and see where that gets you for speed is what I'd do.
     
    starmac and KANSAS TRANSIT Thank this.
  12. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    1700 on a big cam. They don't like it slow. So the auto is out. All of the ones Ive had were waking up at 1400 or so. At 1500, you hit a tiny slope and you drop two gears and lose speed. There is no point.
     
  13. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Just making a point that there are likely some old timers that ran an Allison, that is all.
     
    bzinger Thanks this.
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