i have a video of me driving the same shift pattern in a 1993 autocar (ACL66) its an all wheel drive model that we use in the USN Seabee's down in gulfport, MS. its definitely a fun truck to drive, great video tho, my phone did a horrible job of capturing that!!!
Thanks for posting this. One of my garbage trucks has the same shifting pattern (minus overdrive). For me, the hard part is remembering that I'm driving the RTO truck instead of one of the other trucks.
I hauled bulk milk for approximately 29 years and one of the best companies I worked for, ordered most of their FPU/Road trucks with the 8LL trans. I really got to like it for the most part but after driving a CH Mack with an 18spd, I would say that is the tranny I would have if I ever were to return to driving. (I retired 7 years ago on Disability). I liked the fact of being able to split gears even in the low side which worked great for farm pickup!
Good ole 8LL, thats what I've been driving for 5 years now, steady shifting on hills but a reliable transmission...and yes, its the (rto) meaning the 3rd and 4th, and 7th and 8th are backwards....I love it on my '88 international s2600 L10 cummins!!
I had the pleasure of driving a Freighliner with one of these transmissions years ago. This truck very quickly became one of my favorite trucks in the fleet. Thanks for the memories.
If the model of this rig is either an S/F-2574/75 or S/F-2674/75, the original Cummins engine was likely an NTC-350 Big Cam, and was upgraded to 400 hp in the later years of the fleet. (F = tandem axle; 4 = straight truck; 5 = Severe Service tractor.)
If the top bottom right gear#'s highest then it's overdrive, if the 1st gear's top OR bottom of the right side of the shift pattenr, it is an underdrive.
BTW The immensely indepth "Buses!" has a diagram of an under and over 5 speed Flxsible Visicoach's shift pattern [Spicer made these far as I know]-that is almost the SAME as GMC buses [save for the under and over]
sorry i ment 5th back to 4th thrn back to 5th and then the split to the high side .somettimes i can't even keep it strait in my own head.i always found this a really good transmision allthogh for hig sped rears or low powered engines tha big 500 rpm drop to high gear was a bit of a chore. keeo them coming and keep them guessing. 10-4 c-ya
should have shown the nlow low range to low range 4th back to 5th and then to six that you need to do to come out of double low on the move . that would of screwed them up . nice job with the metal and stick by the way
@chris1422 I had these all figured out, but I thought all 8LL's were this way. So I jump in a "standard" pattern 8LL equipped truck and can't pick a gear to save my soul. had to pull over and look for the pattern. LOL
not really... my 9 speed in my ch-600 mack is a long over drive and its back for 9th... only way you are hittin high at the dash is if you got a road 8 or a 13
I believe the Roadrangers were offered with both X and O shift pattern. So if your tranny had an X shift it would be RTLX****, for O: RTLO****. Dont think they offer the O anymore.
i have a video of me driving the same shift pattern in a 1993 autocar (ACL66) its an all wheel drive model that we use in the USN Seabee's down in gulfport, MS. its definitely a fun truck to drive, great video tho, my phone did a horrible job of capturing that!!!
mechanic7916 1 month ago
O_O
Manny1990Smith 10 months ago
what is the top speed of this beast.
uther56 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this. One of my garbage trucks has the same shifting pattern (minus overdrive). For me, the hard part is remembering that I'm driving the RTO truck instead of one of the other trucks.
jermziehe 1 year ago
that shift pattern looks difficult. lol.
jt4265 1 year ago
I hauled bulk milk for approximately 29 years and one of the best companies I worked for, ordered most of their FPU/Road trucks with the 8LL trans. I really got to like it for the most part but after driving a CH Mack with an 18spd, I would say that is the tranny I would have if I ever were to return to driving. (I retired 7 years ago on Disability). I liked the fact of being able to split gears even in the low side which worked great for farm pickup!
jd450lh 1 year ago
The low reduction is only used in Low gear. A 15 speed uses low reduction in all low range gears
Firemann487 2 years ago
in the 8ll deep reduction is only used in low ? or bottom range gears?
hondarider100r 2 years ago
@hondarider100r only in 1st in low range
MattytheDem 1 year ago
my dads gettin ready to put an 8LL in one of his old R model dogs
WVhoeman 2 years ago
might be confusing at first driving one of these i was myself at first when i first drove a rto...but once you know they're quite fun to shift
detroitmansilver92 2 years ago
Good ole 8LL, thats what I've been driving for 5 years now, steady shifting on hills but a reliable transmission...and yes, its the (rto) meaning the 3rd and 4th, and 7th and 8th are backwards....I love it on my '88 international s2600 L10 cummins!!
jasonwhite68 2 years ago 3
I had the pleasure of driving a Freighliner with one of these transmissions years ago. This truck very quickly became one of my favorite trucks in the fleet. Thanks for the memories.
wolfman9999999 2 years ago
If the model of this rig is either an S/F-2574/75 or S/F-2674/75, the original Cummins engine was likely an NTC-350 Big Cam, and was upgraded to 400 hp in the later years of the fleet. (F = tandem axle; 4 = straight truck; 5 = Severe Service tractor.)
ClassicTVMan81 3 years ago
Yup you nailed it! The 350 let go on a very cold start about 2 years ago. It has a "few" other upgrades ...
ickycan 3 years ago
Whats the shift pattern?
alexfo7o 2 years ago
thats what we got in our log truck good trannys i think
futurelogger 3 years ago
If the top bottom right gear#'s highest then it's overdrive, if the 1st gear's top OR bottom of the right side of the shift pattenr, it is an underdrive.
BTW The immensely indepth "Buses!" has a diagram of an under and over 5 speed Flxsible Visicoach's shift pattern [Spicer made these far as I know]-that is almost the SAME as GMC buses [save for the under and over]
[more in my next reply!]
SteveCarras 3 years ago
sorry i ment 5th back to 4th thrn back to 5th and then the split to the high side .somettimes i can't even keep it strait in my own head.i always found this a really good transmision allthogh for hig sped rears or low powered engines tha big 500 rpm drop to high gear was a bit of a chore. keeo them coming and keep them guessing. 10-4 c-ya
richardtheone 3 years ago
should have shown the nlow low range to low range 4th back to 5th and then to six that you need to do to come out of double low on the move . that would of screwed them up . nice job with the metal and stick by the way
richardtheone 3 years ago
these reverse horse shoe pattern boxes r in mercedes benzs that ive driven bit wen ur used 2 H patterns and u get 5th instead of 4th
AussieDusty 3 years ago
The 1st time I drove one of those U shaped pattern I was grinding gears untill I figgured it out. LOL
chris1422 4 years ago 3
@chris1422 I had these all figured out, but I thought all 8LL's were this way. So I jump in a "standard" pattern 8LL equipped truck and can't pick a gear to save my soul. had to pull over and look for the pattern. LOL
northernchicken 10 months ago
not really... my 9 speed in my ch-600 mack is a long over drive and its back for 9th... only way you are hittin high at the dash is if you got a road 8 or a 13
jr8819 4 years ago
Not strange a general rule is if your high gear goes toward the dash it's an overdrive tranny.
jj3449 4 years ago
I believe the Roadrangers were offered with both X and O shift pattern. So if your tranny had an X shift it would be RTLX****, for O: RTLO****. Dont think they offer the O anymore.
lordtaw 4 years ago
not a strange pattern at all you don't see the around the world overdrive shift patterns that often anymore
rigjockey423 4 years ago