Shifting Diamond Reo

Shifting a 1969 Diamond Reo with a 6-71 Detroit Diesel.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• detroit
• diesel
• 2-stroke
• 2-cycle
• 6-71
• 671diamond
• reo
• antique
• dump
• truck

[linesplice]

OK... lots of comments. Let's just answer the two most common:

1. If memory serves, it was close to 20degrees the day the film was shot, and the tranny is much happier with the clutch when it's cold.  A 2-speed rear axle also appreciates a tap of the clutch when you have to split climbing a hill.

[linesplice]

2. Gloves. It was cold and the heater isn't all that great until the engine is really hot. There is also a wide, sharp-edged seperation in the steering wheel that I have yet to fill which will eat your hands up.

[Meralain]

Love that Detroit Sound! Hope you have a couple gallons of oil under the seat......

[linesplice]

It's not as bad as you might think. The detroits use a heavy oil - straight 40, and I haven't noticed high consumption. It leaks more than it burns, if you ask me.

[coyner254]

Does the thing even have a turbo?

[linesplice]

I wish. The NA 6-71 was about 170 horses from the factory.

[whatihave2do]

Had to be a REAL truck driver to drive one of those. Unlike the wimpy crybaby truck drivers of today. "My A/C not cold enough, I had to drop two gears to get up this mountain, My frontend shakes at 45, my seat hurts my fat ass." Give them a truck from 30 years ago with a hard small seat, NO A/C and engine heat pouring through the floor on a summer day and so little power that you could get out and walk beside the truck going up a hill. I bet they would shutup about their 3 year old truck.

[midell2007]

just because he is using a clutch does not make him a rookie...that thing isnt hanging in there as an ornament...and yes, I drove for almost 30 years.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

@fontheking5

Me, too. I miss them.

[cumminsfan]

@Blue10AEMia  need it for hill climbing tho. my 69 reo has the 427 gold comet six and she needs all the gears shes got

[cobra96svt570]

I love D.reo's. It sou nds like a detroit, maybe a 6v or 8v, possibly a 6-71, but it sounds like a V. It takes some skill to drive a detroit 2stroke with a 2spd rear. They say split shifting a 2spd rear is harder then driving a roadranger, becasue you have to know exactly when to hit the button, or it miss, and sound like someone threw a wrench in the rear. I tryd to teach a cpl buddys of mine, they could drive a 10-13 spd no problem, but man i thought they were gonna blow the rear ou my 5+2 cat

[chorald]

I really like older trucks. When I drive the old ford l-8000 1984 with a 3208 N/A, I really feel the truck and with a hot summer day without radio and A/C, it's kinda cool.

[Blue10AEMia]

Nice to see I'm not the only one who skips fourth gear. 4 lo is like a reiteration of 3rd high

[CEOkiller]

@linesplice That's why they called them green leakers...

[TurbinePower69]

@linesplice 170 horses ?!!?...what !? You running N55's with std. timing, in that  engine ?

[Opium323]

I learned in a '58 Diamond T... this is a Cadillac by comparison

[bj99ful]

Not too noisy inside for having a 2 stroke Detroit

[1972JICase970]

Sounds Great! Just like my dads 1964 WF Coe, it had this engine as well. This sounds exact to what I remember riding in it with my dad while hauling grain. Awesome video!!!