Best tutorial I've ever seen on shifting an 18-speed truck transmission

[bc.gold 3,403]

Two speed rear differentials, this brings back memories.

 

My first flat deck 3 ton Chevy with the 292 CID straight six cylinder engine, five speed transmission with a two speed rear diff which was vacuum operated. A very poor design pulling a grade when engine vacuum was at its lowest, shifting into low range often failed.

 

Edited January 12, 2023 by bc.gold

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

27 minutes ago, bc.gold said:

Two speed rear differentials, this brings back memories.

Mine was a nightmare.      My second summer driving for a construction company when I was 18yo

Hauling around 15T of dirt up a one lane steep dirt road in one of these.

      When I down shifted the two speed rear,  the gear broke.    Engine reved and died when I let off the gas pedal.

 

Vacuum brakes failed when engine stalled and wouldn't start, emergency brake is on the driveshaft.   So Ed is freewheeling down the hill backwards.

The good news...I knew there was a dozed out passing lane a few hundred feet behind me on the right side.   I was able to swing it into the bank at the wide spot without tipping over.        The bad news...anytime a driver wrecked or broke a truck,  you run the compressor truck until it was repaired.    I learned to hate jackhammers.

[ebinmaine 67,508]

36 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

a driver wrecked or broke a truck

Unfortunate wording that I'm glad to say is disappearing from many employer's vocabulary.  

Odds are VERY high the driver didn't break the truck. 

The EMPLOYER broke the truck due to lack of maintenance.  

 

Glad you made it out of that years ago situation safely.