Need some old timer advice please,

Not everything in Ks is flat.
Back in my outlaw days hauling hay out of Ks, I ran a lot of 2 lane roads, I kept passing a highway that was going in the right general direction, so decided to take it one night. It was not long before I was on a serious grade with 10 mph switch backs, that I had to back up to even get around with the 53 foot sloped live bottom that had fixed tandems right on the rear of the trailer.
After 5 miles or so I wound up stopped sitting on a boat ramp, with my headlights shining out on a nice lake. lol luckily there was a lake rangers house there and I could get backed in his driveway enough to get turned around. lol

 

Yeah I dont want to turn this into a topographic thread but those that think the central plains states are in for a shock once they get away from river valleys .

 

Oooops " flat"

 

Allison's aren't bad for highway if they're geared to the cruise you want and the motor has enough stones. I've driven them in oilfield work behind Cummins ISX 500's, Mack MP8's, and in LTLish use behind Cummins ISX-G natural gas motors. They're very nearly bulletproof, especially at lower weights, as long as you don't neglect the 100K mile service intervals, and have adequate cooling.

 

Come off Lookout or Rocker with a Autoshift , id keep my door open ready to bail out.

 

Done it many times, people you can manipulate an autoshift tranny just as much as a stick,,,,if you know how, they will hold a gear with no issue. You do know that the new volvo HDX HEAVY HAUL is only automated....

 

I guess you are leaning to Auto then. We need to find a way to get that engine up off 1500 at 70. I understand gearing, but I choose to let those who know this stuff cold do the talking.

10's to me are generic company stuff. If you had a 13 speed for example it will be much easier to hold speed or close to it with a careful shift down now and then. Thats why I love the 13's

I spent some time in big cam 3 and it will be a nightmare to have to revisit that engine ever again. Stand on the hammer winding all day and dowshift until bottom of high grinding upgrade at 19 to 21 mph. Im glad those days are gone by. The big cam 4 offers a better engine. But I love my Cats, Detriots and so on.

 

Lots of difference between an auto shift like the volvo has and an auto like the allison. It is like comparing apples to oranges.
I will say that I think they are much better now than any of the old ones that I had a little experience with.
I have a friend that bought 4 new log trucks last year with allisons. He did it because he didn't have to have drivers and ythey worked well in that off road environment for him.

 

I drove this to kansas from va. At 61 mph that was tough. Like i said i can always just lock in 5th which would be like 1800 at 70? To be honest i could try and find a 9 speed over, i dont mind the pattern, just REALLY hate the cable shifter was hoping someone was going to tell me to take it apart lube it up and you could shift it with 2 fingers, when i picked it up it took two hands, and i aint that small of a guy!! Lol

 

Ok so final thought, i stick in the ally, driveshaft bolts back in, i take off the stud pilot 24.5 pete logo wheels, that i really wanted to keep, change the hubs to hub pilot and mount up 22.5 255 75 22.5, that takes me from a 41 tall tire to a 36.5, AND it lowers my deck height by a couple of inches. WIN WIN!!!! LOL that should put me just over 1750 at 75 mph in 6th, 2050 at 75 in 5th