For the test, do what you are the best at. All you HAVE to do is pass. :D

Downshifting
 

I am still in school, a community technical county school (PTEC) and it is our instructor who will test us. He says don't worry about shifting while stopping. Just worry about getting it to stop safely. He says he would rather NOT see us downshift at all, just stop. On upshifting we must double clutch for him.

Re: Downshifting
 

My problem on down shifting is the closer I get to my stop or turn. When I still have some distance I seem to do alright. As I get closer it defies logic to take my foot off the brake to rev the engine. We are using 9 speeds. The instructor showed us a neat trick, I don't know if it common knowledge or not, when down shifting in high range, high range low is the same as low 4th. It is much easier to find high low than it is to find 4th, and 4th can be used for turns.

It does, indeed, work on a 9 speed. The granny-low hole in high range gives you the same speed as the high-hole in low-range. I believe it also works on a 13-speed. Been a while since I drove one of them. It does not work on a 10-speed, or super-10.

Once you get out of school and in your own truck, shifting will become second nature. The more you worry about it now, the worse you will make it on yourself. Just let it come to you, and it will.

Re: Downshifting
 

You are not supposed to the low position while in high range according to Eaton Fuller.

Yeah, if everything goes right I'll be working for TMC. Then I'll have to learn a 13 speed with a splitter. Will it ever end?

Re: Downshifting
 

You're right. You are not supposed to use it. However, I know of quite a number of drivers that do use it, and there has not appeared to have been any damage done to the transmission.

The company just traded in their day-cab, with a 9-speed. The driver has been in that truck since it was bought. Now, he's got a 10-speed and is complaining that he doesn't have that "extra hole" to use. I drove it last month, and there didn't seem to be anything unusual with the tranny. Over 700K on it, and the tranny has never had to have anything done to it. I know what Eaton-Fuller says, but........

A few observations on the 9LL Eaton Fuller.
-the gaps between gears is about 500 vs 400 for a 10 sp
-downshifting is at 1000 for 8 to 5, rev, then shift down
-from high 5 to low 4 I drop to 800 rpm and give it a stronger rev
-4 to 2 drop to 1000 rpm then rev and downshift

The timing of the shifts and clutching also depends on the weight being hauled...
-empty, the truck slows more between shifts requiring slower shifts.
I listen to the turbo spooling down to judge shift timing.

The odd thing in my truck(electronic fuel pedal) there is about 3/8" free play before rpms increase making it difficult to apply fuel smoothly.

Whatever works for you. I personally float while shifting. I work with guys that clutch. It just depends what you feels comfortable with.

Re: Downshifting
 

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800,000 on my 13 and thats the way its been drivin since new. i do it and ther owner did it when he drove the truck. i donno mabey its just luck.