8 Speed Auto for HD trucks
Apparently, ZF is making an 8 Speed HD trans that can handle 1000 lb-ft. 2020 release date. I see it as the next trans in the Ram 2500 and 3500s. LINK
Forum Discussion
Me Again wrote:valhalla360 wrote:
And the old guys probably said the same thing when automatics went from 2 to 3 gears.
CVT's used in trucks will be nothing like the snowmobile transmissions. Of course they aren't going to use a simple rubber belt for a truck towing 15k lbs. That's also why they haven't put the trucks out with CVT's yet but I can guarantee someone is working on it.
PS: Just looked up and there is a consortium of semi tractor manufacturers working on one.
OK, so in 1976 to 1979 I drove a truck with a 13 speed Roadranger tranny. Along came people have did not know how to drive a manual tranny, so Firetrucks and garbage trucks got automatics. The CVT trannies will complete the circle. BTW, I really liked the 13 speed, let the clutch out in the tank yard in Port Angeles and put it back in at Forks 70 miles away! With lots of shift in between.
Chris
I think manuals stuck around in HD trucks for longer because the driver wasn't paying for the truck in most cases. The guy buying the truck didn't have to work those gears. As long as they held up well and were cheaper to purchase, that's what you got.
Now you will probably hear a lot of old truckers say they love manually running the gears but that's likely selection bias. If you hate driving a manual transmission, odds are you aren't going to keep a job that has you driving a manual transmission 8-10hrs per day.
Most personal vehicles are bought by the guy driving it and if they don't like a manual, they don't buy a manual. Looking at the number of manuals available, it's pretty clear most people don't want a manual.
