SHIFTING FROM A STOP WITH HEAVY LOAD

I think you've slammed your hand in the door one too many times

 

My S60 Detroit could pull any trailer at idle and slide trailer tandems

 

Hi NM, it was either that or eat a live frog,,,,to get you in the right frame of mind to drive a 2 cycle Deeetroit powered truck. Drive it like you're pissed off at it. Youngun's wouldn't make it 50 ft in a 2 cycle Detroit today.

 

Thing is, we don't need to know how to drive a 71 series Detroit. I drove one for a time. But things changed and I as a driver had to change with it. You can hold on to those days if you want ... if that helps you feel like you can hold on to your man-card but I for one am glad to be shed of those noisy, gutless machines.

But how those were driven should not come into the discussion of how to drive today's Detroits.

 

I've had a dance once with an old brigadier....15spd OD....71 series detroit....my god lol

 

I don't even shift today. I got the Detroit 12 speed auto shift.

 

Yeah, the new engine/transmission pairings don't take kindly to over-revving. It was a hard habit for me to break.

 

OP are you using your clutch? You may be going too deep pressing the pedal. When shifting you just nudge the pedal. I recommend you shift at 1300 or 1400 and concentrate on the movement of the gear shift, until you get the pattern down, and develop the muscle memory to move the stick without really thinking.

Start out in 2nd. It's all concentration when your new. Go up to about 1300 or 1400 and do a lazy shift strait down. Then just accelerate slowly up, and do the same to 4th.
Don't try to bang through the gears. Just accelerate up smoothly. A lot of the guys you see bang through the gears aren't pulling heavy, that's why they can. Just make it smooth.
Smooth is fast.
Don't worry about what other people think. Learn your craft.

PM me if you ever come through Phoenix.

 

also, turn down the stereo and listen to the engine. you will get a feel when to shift without constantly watching the tach. i couldnt tell you the exact rpms on when to shift because im so used to hearing when to shift. sounds corny but become one with your truck.

 

Man-card? I was doing my job, pal.