Pros/Cons of Converting 9-speed to 13-speed?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by PE_T, Jan 15, 2019.

  1. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    RTLO shifts different than RTO. You see TMC trucks in trader all the time with the 9 speed convertibles. All about resale.
     
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  3. dirthaller

    dirthaller Road Train Member

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    RTLO 13 and 18 are supposed to preselect on splitter. The older transmissions, preselecting splitter was a no no.
     
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  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    When I say don't preselect, I mean don't hit the button, then keep driving for another 10+ seconds before shifting. Hit the button a second or so before the shift.

    Its fine to preselect the range long in advance because there's a lockout valve on the shift bar housing that won't let the transmission complete the range shift until the stick hits neutral.
     
  5. dirthaller

    dirthaller Road Train Member

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    Yesterday, I was backing about 1/4 mile out of a jobsite. The last 100 yards before the point to go forward, turn out, is asphalt. When I hit the asphalt, I preselected to reverse high (18 speed). I let off the throttle just a wee bit and it thunked into high reverse unexpectedly.
    Reminds me of the old days when you preselected when you weren’t supposed to.
     
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  6. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    Whoever told you that is a moron. They are a non synchronized transmission. This is why your suppose to double clutch. The only synchro is Hi/Lo.

    There was alot of fleets that ordered 9 speed convertibles or 13 that was disabled. Werner comes to mind when they ran W900 and Classics. E-model cats that were nutted too. It was all for resale. Just like TMC.

    With the same final drive, but you will have 300 rpm gear splits vs 600 rpm. Much easier to operate at peak torque. Well driven a 13 or 18 will achieve better fuel economy than a 9 or 10. But reguardless of the specs, the driving habits is the cheapest way to improve fuel economy. The autos only improve over a poorly driven manual.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2019
    ChevyCam, starmac, speedyk and 2 others Thank this.
  7. Jmsich2009

    Jmsich2009 Bobtail Member

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    So for the low price of $290, I now have a 13 speed. Was going to be worth it for me at $500, but can’t ##### about $200. As many have said or for anyone following, my RPMs in top gear did not change as many said. As another poster said the big benefit I have now is being able to shift in 300 rpm increments instead of 600. What a difference! Thanks for all the help and recommendations guys
     
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