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harlequin · Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject:

Glad you got a good deal. Good to hear.
Downshifting from 6th to 5th. Just gotta work on it. I used to have the same trouble. Do you use the clutch or float the gears? Try reving up the engine before you try putting it in 5th and ride the gear till it slides in.
All the tires shouldn't be locking up unless you have the interaxle locked (I think).
Fuel will flow between the two tanks. At least it does on F/L's
Sounds like you just made a lousy choice in truck stops. I don't think it was the truck they were interested in and you could have looked like me and they still would have wanted to spend time with you :D
I have found that a tractor rides, shifts and stops better when it is towing a trailer. Truck will take less distance to stop fully loaded.
Hope this helps.

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9393 Location: Tennessee

I have been wondering when you would make it back. I am glad things went smoothly. It is not uncommon for a bobtail to lock the brakes in rain when you don't have a trailer. You may want to lighten your touch on them when you don't have a trailer attached. The abs is supposed to alleviate most of that, but it is something that you need to be aware of when you are not pulling a trailer. When you down shift you need to match the rpm's. In other words you should raise the engine rpm's to match the gears in the transmission. Never force it into gear. If it doesn't go in right away, just play around with the rpm's. If you force it into gear, you can damage the transmission. After getting some experience, you will be able to shift without looking at the rpm's. Most of us get used to the sound of the engine and shift accordingly. That comes with experience. Try getting the rpm's around 1500-1700 before attempting to down shift. Shifting without grinding the gears takes practice. My guess is that you are allowing your rpm's to get too low before attempting to shift.

Bobby · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 160 Location: Ca.

Congratulations on the new ride.
We need pictures of the truck and spec's.

I'm not sure what your doing with the 6th to 5th shift ? But if your changing from high range to low range you might mean 5th to 4th which would have a range change ?
Anyway your probably not matching your RPM's by picking them UP when going to the lower range and gear.

When stopping and your light, either empty or bob tailing your wheels will lock easier, especially in the rain. So be careful and anticipate this by giving yourself more room and time to stop so your not too heavy on the brakes. Lock them too much and the back end might start to come around on you, especially in the wet.

Also using the Jake brake if it has one ? They can have three stages with each stage 1-2-3 adding two more cylinders of the engine to the
braking power. Their good for helping you slow down before and during regular braking.

Your on your own with the lot lizards.

yoopr · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 12866

when you're in 6th gear and want to downshift to 5th just prior to down shifting put a little throttle to your engine while it's still in gear and then thump the accelerator a bit and it should slip right into 5th.
Red is nice but My first conventional that I drove was red and the Tractor clearance lights put light on the Hood and back into my eyes and it drove me nuts.

Bigmon · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 687 Location: S. Cal.

Steve,

I was wondering all weekend when we'd hear from you. Did you go through any scales? What did you do about a registration? Did the lizards offer you a new drivers discount.? lol

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9393 Location: Tennessee

The fuel tanks will equalize themselves. You need to watch when you park to not have too much slope to one side if you are low on fuel. All of the fuel could drain out of the primary tank to the secondary tank and the truck may not be able to get enough fuel to start.

A truck always rides better with a trailer. It will ride better with a loaded trailer rather than when empty.

Rawlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 1124 Location: Central Maine

Are you pre-selecting the range button BEFORE moving the stick from 5th to neutral? Most of the modern roadranger products require pre-selecting the range shift before moving into neutral.

When I was on my CDL road test I aimed from sixth to fifth and ended up hitting the range button too late. I ended up in tenth and stalled the truck rolling downhill to a stop sign. :oops:

jroqueman · Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Ohio

Congrats on the new ride. Let's see some pictures. The truck is much more stable with a trailer behind it. Glad you made it back home safely and had a good time!

SteveBooth · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 3501

yoopr · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 12866

get rid of the Dolly Partons :P

SteveBooth · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 3501

SteveBooth · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 3501

Jackrabbit379 · Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 4741 Location: Wichita Falls,Tx

Steve,glad to hear that you made it home in one piece. Shifting,it will come natural to ya. You may watch your tach. That might help ya,if you're the type to watch the tach. I never learned how to use the tach when driving. Like they said,just smash on the throttle when you down shift. Sometimes you can over-rev the motor,and you have to wait for second,and slide it in when the timing is right. You'll get the hang of it,and you'll be gear jammin before ya know it. That is a pretty truck. About the girlies checking out the ride,sweet. 8) I like the chicken lights. Now all ya need are some 6" straights. Congrats on the new trucky.

ben45750 · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 1731

SteveBooth wrote:

Not a big western star fan.... but that is a pretty truck!!!!! CONGRATS and good luck to you!!!!

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