Re: [A/S] Transmission Pros and Cons

[Matt Worner <wornmatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, Jim, the engines we have in our light duty trucks are pretty 
much the same as those in the big rigs.  That's why they run 15-18 speed 
transmissions, since their loads are just a TEENSY bit heavier (like 
about 10x?) they need to start out in a great, great, everso great 
granny gear just to get moving.  Low RPM torque is the reason almost all 
are diesel equipped.  The engines are punched up a bit in horsepower, 
and (diesels) generally equipped with engine brakes (so called Jake 
Brake, not the same as exhaust brakes we use) but that increase is 
rarely much more that 25% over what you get in your F-350.  There is a 
serious market out there for "re-chipping" light duty engines, but one 
can't go too far without overloading the drive train on these. 
Obviously if your GCWR is in the 100,000 pound range, the drive train is 
sturdier than the average Schwinn.

Matt
F-350 7.3L PSD (same engine, de-rated horsepower but still plenty)
;^)>