Trans upgrade - Page 4

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-06-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deereboy80

I would like to put a 6spd manual in this truck, but so far no one seems to think that this would be a good idea. Everyone says spring for an upgraded auto.
Just another question for bigdaddydiesel, Are your airbags helper bags, or are they full airride suspension?

the bags I ordered are "Pacbrake" helper bags and should be all that you need from what I understand. also I haul many different types of heavy loads with my truck, yes it is a 6spd Manual, but I have a custom Dual Disk Clutch from south Bend. The full load below weighed out @ 42,000 lbs gross and the half load was 31,320. I still have the weight ticket from a CAT scale for the half load but I missplaced the one fromt he full load. and with either load, in sixth gear in the mountains of Va averaging 70mph my egt's never got above 1350 and I never dropped below 63mph on hills. these trucks will do more than some will give them credit for.
Full Load

Half load

Christmas trees are by far the haeviest loads I haul and I have only had problems with needing bags in the back and an exhaust brake because I do not have "Tow Haul" mode
Hope this helps.

By the way, I did not have the bags in either of these pictures, but as soon as I get a new load with them this season I will submit a pic to show the difference...

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-06-2008, 03:42 PM

at the weight ticket for the half load...

deereboy80 · 08-21-2008, 08:24 PM

Wow, that's a pretty decent load. You say you do that on a regular basis? Don't get DOTd. They'd love to catch that kind of weight.

deereboy80 · 08-21-2008, 08:28 PM

Also to let you know, all the tow/haul mode really does is lock the torque converter up in second gear on and play with the shift rpms a bit. It doesn't really do anything for braking like an exhaust brake does. I am still considering putting an exhaust brake on this truck.

deereboy80 · 08-21-2008, 08:30 PM

One more question, are your bags controlled by a compressor on board, or do you have to pump them up when they are needed.

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 08-21-2008, 08:45 PM

wow,i did that with a one ton dually but never with a 3/4 Ton straight truck..i wouldn't want to get DOT'd either..

deereboy80 · 08-21-2008, 08:52 PM

The other day I hauled a load of hay grossing 29,800. Had my load distributed fairly evenly, but still left at 6AM to make sure I was past the scale before they opened. No chances taken here.

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-22-2008, 08:57 AM

I am tagged @ 43,000 for the combo of the truck and trailer together, and where I live in VA, that is all that is needed. As far as DOT, the only state that I have had a problem with is Florida, and I generally do not haul too far west. I stay on the east coast with it, and most of the time I can also play dumb, you know, tell them I am a farmer transporting my own trees and they do not give me problems.

As far as the bags, I am installing them in the nest weeks or so, as soon as things slow down a bit from setting up this years' contracts for Christmas trees, and pumpkins, etc. But yes sir, they have an auxilary tank, and incab gauges and controller to make adjustments on the fly if needed.

Oh, and yeah, I am installing bags on this truck just in case, but I plan an also buying a 1 ton dually this year to do the bulk of my hauling with, if it breaks down though, I want this one to be ready if needed... Let's put it this way, the only problem I had was riding the bumpstops on a couple of the loads last year...

OOOHHH!!! I forgot, last year DOT in NC pulled me in and spent 45 minutes in the rule book trying to find something to give me a ticket for, (the Guy was a real "Piece of Work") but his boss finally told him to let me get back to work and to leave me alone....

AMQ?

deereboy80 · 08-22-2008, 05:27 PM

My truck and trailer are only tagged at 26,000. I am surprised that you can get a single wheel truck licensed at 43,000. That is not even possible in this area.

**bigdaddydiesel** · 08-22-2008, 08:26 PM

Actually, the truck is tagged for 22, and the trailer is tagged for 21, so together they are @ 43... It is the combined weight that is checked when loaded, ( it is an odd system, and it took talking to a state trooper from Va to figure out if I would be legal or not...)
You should be able to do that in PA, I have been through scales in PA before without problems, they did not even pull me in to check me out...
Also, if you look closely at the rims on the truck, you will notice the obvious need for an exhaust brake... lol