Traveling in the Pete

I started with an 'M' model Studebaker grain truck down on the farm in early '60s. Loads of fun.;)

I use a Allison transmission bus and its fine but I doubt you will see many in heavy trucks,the computer shifted and clutched heavies are far more efficient .
Volvo , Mack and others are claiming 11 mpg with the latest ishifts & mdrives.
The skill set to 'float' a 18 speed is to be admired and I understand the old timers resent their skills being thrown to the wayside -thats why they hate em- but time moves on we all get made redundant sooner or later.

Stick shifts are a thing of the past .
You cannot Text Message while driving a stick .
The young folks are laughing at us old codgers born in the 1940's .
In the 1950's we used to make fun of the old folks and their canes .
Now , "We are one "
I have no respect for anybody that cannot drive a stick shift .
But I recommend an Allison tranny to everybody that will listen .
The grandkids have no respect for anybody that cannot use every "APP " available on their smart phone .
As recent as 1987 I bought a new Ford pickup with a non-synchro first gear .
I cannot say that I miss that .
And the new diesel pickups ( even a CTD or powerstroke ) are all so quiet it should be illegal .

rightlaneonly wrote:

Not saying its not for the better, I drove the "modern" ones too. Just remembering the "good ole days". Someday when no one drives a car or truck but the robots, you'll remember your "good ole days" too.:W

Yep the good ole days, when Men were Men and trucks and cars had three pedals. Took my test in a 1970 Ford Ranch Wagon with three on the tree.

We drove dads truck a 1965 Ford F-250 three speed on the floor with a granny/creeper gear out in the fields long before we could legally drive.

Never got to drive a truck with two shifters and not sure I would want to.

Don

Gemstone wrote:
"Most kids now would not know what to do with an old two stick"....Park it.
There is a good reason there have been advancements in the truck industry....things evolve....usually for the better.

Regards
Gemstone

Not saying its not for the better, I drove the "modern" ones too. Just remembering the "good ole days". Someday when no one drives a car or truck but the robots, you'll remember your "good ole days" too.:W

"Most kids now would not know what to do with an old two stick"....Park it.
There is a good reason there have been advancements in the truck industry....things evolve....usually for the better.

Regards
Gemstone

Next time try a truck not mired in the 1940's design wise,mine is as quite or more so then my 7.3.;)

45Ricochet wrote:
Straight pipes and a real engine brake I take it :W

Yep!:B

Led 67 wrote:
Most kids now would not know what to do with an old two stick.

At almost 48 I don't know if I still qualify as a "kid" or not but I never got to drive a two stick. I've always wanted to. I remember learning to drive a 15 speed Roadranger and having my brain "vapor lock" a few times when I forgot what range I was in. I imagine a two stick is much more challenging.

Straight pipes and a real engine brake I take it :W