Transmission choices

I'm partial to the 18. So much versatility and the resale is much better vs a 9 or a 10 speed.

Any time I've driven an 18 its always been bobtail or light load. I just run it like a 9 and then put it in the high split once I'm at highway speed.

 

I must be the oddball... I'm running an 18 speed nowadays, and for the most part I like it. But I've never saw the need to split the bottom gears, even running the back roads of PA at 80k. It is nice, as @TripleSix said, when you're in low traction situations to split a gear and continue on your way.

My last truck had a 10 speed and did just as good as this one. Everything else as far as engine and rears were the same as my current truck, and the fuel mileage was better on that truck.


Overall, for what I do, the 10 speed was plenty capable

 

Auto is perfect for city driving, 13/18 is good for heavy loads.

really depends on the environment you plan to be in

 

Checked and trained a lot of owner operators. Most had 13 or 18 while a lot of company units had 10's.

 

I like the B ratio 18 speed. They have a lower low hole than anything else with a .73 final ratio. Splitting the bottom is useless to me, though I split the last 3 on the top.

 

Rtlo 13 or 18 Is the way to go, easier to skip gears to with the extra half

I wouldn’t bother with the 46 rears though if you are staying on black top and driving it yourself

 

Six... I never thought I'd see you discussing "trannies." I'd expect that more from @D.Tibbitt

 

Used truck market is pretty rough right now……..

your gonna pay top dollar and might have to take what you can get…..

 

The extra low gear on the 18 makes backing into tight spots easy as hell. I can walk faster than lo lo reverse. 9/10 times the 13 is fine unless your running 120k +.