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Converting A 13 Speed To An 18 Speed


ThaddeusW

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Someone on Hanks is asking if this is true and I know I read it here not to long ago. If I recall, all you need to do is switch the shift knob to an 18 speed shift knob. But I also remember someone saying you can modify a 13 speed knob to get all 18 speeds. If anyone has a Hanks account head over to the nuts and bolts forum and post directly, I will pass any info along as well.

-Thad

What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog!

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do you have to remove the knob???????????????

post pics???????????????????

Chuck no pics man sorry! If yours is mack 13 you can chance taking the knob apart theres a lock out in there that interlocks the two switches ya just got to cut or break it off I beleive its Plastic!

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You can do that with the knob. When I worked for H an H years ago a guy ordered an RD with a 13 in it and changed his mind as they were prepping the truck. The mechanic was showing me on the old knob (they were putting the right knob on) but I also thought the right way was to change something on the trans as well. Anybody with Mack know about that?

Cheers, Rob

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You can do that with the knob. When I worked for H an H years ago a guy ordered an RD with a 13 in it and changed his mind as they were prepping the truck. The mechanic was showing me on the old knob (they were putting the right knob on) but I also thought the right way was to change something on the trans as well. Anybody with Mack know about that?

Cheers, Rob

Mechanically the transmissions are the same, only the knob is different as FJH said before. On newer trucks, like Bigens, the VECU needs to be reprogrammed with a new datafile so the module recognizes the gear split in low range. If the module isn't reprogrammed a 4-1 fault occurs and limits power/speed when splitting the low range gears.

"Mebbe I'm too ugly and stupid to give up!"

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HMMmmmmmm---I don't suppose that trick works on the older Road Ranger 13 speeds,does it? :wacko:

Speed

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HMMmmmmmm---I don't suppose that trick works on the older Road Ranger 13 speeds,does it? :wacko:

Speed

NO Also i did a Mack that way a few years back and i think i had to change a air supply line to constant air supply for thye spilter. Could be wrong. My mack info is to for to go get now.

glenn akers

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Mechanically the transmissions are the same, only the knob is different as FJH said before. On newer trucks, like Bigens, the VECU needs to be reprogrammed with a new datafile so the module recognizes the gear split in low range. If the module isn't reprogrammed a 4-1 fault occurs and limits power/speed when splitting the low range gears.

So then I've got to ask...What's the point of a 13sp...??? I bet the answer is 'driver preference'...

Ever wonder how a blind person knows when to stop wiping?

gallery_1977_876_21691.jpg

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So then I've got to ask...What's the point of a 13sp...??? I bet the answer is 'driver preference'...

There's that, but I think the extended warranty pricing is cheaper for the 13 speed. Due to less use of the air shift on the 13 speed there is less wear and tear to the internals of the transmission.

"Mebbe I'm too ugly and stupid to give up!"

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  • 2 weeks later...

There's that, but I think the extended warranty pricing is cheaper for the 13 speed. Due to less use of the air shift on the 13 speed there is less wear and tear to the internals of the transmission.

99.9% of the time, I drive my 18 like a 13. When you are loaded and have to get started uphill, it's nice to be able to split the low side, though. B)

When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way!
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99.9% of the time, I drive my 18 like a 13. When you are loaded and have to get started uphill, it's nice to be able to split the low side, though. B)

'Bout the only time I split the low side is when I'm puttin around a quarry or something and I want to shift up but am too lazy to move the stick.

The few times I have split the low side under power, I can see how some serious damage can happen if in the hands of a driver trainee type.

Ever wonder how a blind person knows when to stop wiping?

gallery_1977_876_21691.jpg

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'Bout the only time I split the low side is when I'm puttin around a quarry or something and I want to shift up but am too lazy to move the stick.

The few times I have split the low side under power, I can see how some serious damage can happen if in the hands of a driver trainee type.

Yup...gotta be real easy getting back on the throttle when upshifting with a heavy load getting going uphill. :thumb:

When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way!
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