Automatic Transmission

Automatic Transmission

Pros and Cons

dave67
14 November 2010
11:51 AM
As far as when it comes to backing up and hooking up to your rig what Auto tranny is smoother as in not so jumpy?
Bill B
14 November 2010
02:16 PM
On my FreedomLine, a light foot is needed.  The proverbial egg under the go pedal.  First couple of times I was heavy and it does take some ---- light foot --- getting used to.
hjsdds
14 November 2010
02:27 PM
Love my Autoshift for hitching and backing, with that clutch pedal I can "feather" that truck down to "fpm" (foot per minute).  My driveway is about 3 degree down and I can back it up that driveway including couple of turns at the top around the house and a tree.
hjs
Jack Mayer
14 November 2010
03:50 PM
In my opinion - best to worst
1) Manual and/or AutoShift either generation
2) I-Shift (and this is based on observation, not use)
3) Ultrashift
4) FreedomLine
dave67
14 November 2010
04:04 PM
When did the Gen2 come out?
DJW
14 November 2010
04:08 PM
I would have to say the Autoshift.  I have never driven a 2 pedal but with the Autoshift I can inch back nice and easy as smooth as butter until I get that nice click sound.
Dennis
Russ Barnes
14 November 2010
04:14 PM

dave67, on Nov 14 2010, 04:04 PM, said:
When did the Gen2 come out?

Depending on the build date of the truck, it was sometime in the 2000 model year.  My 2000 T2000 was a Gen 1 (I wanted the clutch pedal for the above posted reasons) but mine was built in late '99.  I have seen other 2000's with Gen 2.  The clutch pedal doesn't scare the DW since she grew up with them.  I shopped eBay and put a new x-y shifter and brainbox on it and just this week ordered the speed sensors and PIN at Truck Pro so it should outlast me.

I haven't driven the two pedal units, but I have read that the first few years were tricky to back up like you are asking about.  However, those with the latest and greatest ($$$$) report that they also back up smoothly.
Russ

P.S. edit - those earlier years also don't have the emission issues that the later trucks with the smooth transmissions.  And the pre EGRs get better mpg.

SuiteSuccess
14 November 2010
04:14 PM
So far the Ultrashift requires left foot on/near brake and right foot barely on throttle.  Hope to get better over time with practice.
Scrap
14 November 2010
04:48 PM
My personal list:
Allison RDS
Ultrashift Plus w/ hill hold & ATC
Ultrashift Plus VMS
Manual 8LL
Regular Manual/Autoshift
Ishift
FreedomLine
Ultrashift DM
SuiteSuccess
14 November 2010
05:23 PM
Scrap,
Explain the different Ultrashifts.  Not sure I know which one I have.  My luck probably the bottom "DM".
Scrap
14 November 2010
06:12 PM
The DM is the centrifugal clutch one.  The Plus is the newer electric clutch one.  It'll have a motor sticking down on the LH bottom of the clutch housing.  The VMS isn't really a highway truck trans but it is the deep reduction auto.  Slower 1st/reverse gearing that takes less torque to move = smoother hookups for me.
renegade warrior
15 November 2010
10:12 AM
My 2000 - 770 is of the FreedomLine style 12 forward 2 back'em up gears with the two pedal.  This is my first, and DW says only HDT, that we will ever need, we'll see, anyway I have gotten use to the backing up part to rehook to the 5er, although I have hit it pretty hard a time or two.  The DW did not like that part since she was still in the 5er packing.  I have found that with enough gas pedal and enough brake I can generally back into the pin very smoothly.  There have been occasions of a lurch or two just before the pin was set.  Oh well part of the RVing adventures
Bruce
DonF
16 November 2010
12:05 AM
I'm like Bruce (above), gotta use 2 feet on an incline, apply brake-and-throttle, then gently ease on the brake pressure; takes some practice doing it this way.  Fannie prefers to use BillB's approach, unless there's a ridge or slope to overcome, she does the back-in parking.
Don
Bill B
16 November 2010
07:07 AM
Actually Don - I use both. Let circumstances dictate.  Also, my hitch has 1 1/2" of back and forth movement, as does my pin (MORryde).  I may have more play than most, and cushioning in the 'bump