Lmackattack

I shift like Fred does. I only use the clutch if its hard to get out of gear or when im at a full stop and trying to start. If you are driving at 50 mph you will not be able to down shift to 4th untill you slow down some more (it might go in if you force or bang it in but you will over speed the engine...not good) depending on your rear end ratios (likely 4.17s) and the governed engine RPM (likly 2100) 40-42 MPH is when you can down shift to 4th. the RPM gauge will help with learning but after you get the hang of it its all feel from there. I have a 2300rpm engine 4.17 rears with my 5 speed and I down shift as following 5th - 4th is around 42 moh 4th - 3rd is around -30mph 3rd - 2nd is around 18mph 2nd - 1st is near 8 mph and like Fred said the engine rpms need to match the trans speed at the next lower gear you select so when you pull it out of 5th gear mash the pedal to the floor quickly and "feel" for the grind with light press on the stick in the 4th gear position. Just an FYI bob tailing is sometimes more difficult to lern shifting as there is no weight to keep the truck rolling at a steady speed. let us know how it goes Trent

THERE IS A GOD!!!!! just last night I was talking about macks failure to sell a flashy road unit... This is thye answer and great step foward to help mack sales. please foward any info on standard options and any other info about this Rawhide. very intrested to see how sales are with this truck Nice looking rig!!!

I do like the set back axels but dont like the visions. I honestly think mack has dropped the ball on its styling. most owner operaters want a truck to look as good as it performs. when I first saw the vision from far I thought it was a CH with a dent in the middle of the hood..LOL I look at the new petes and KWs and they offer both a plane jane city truck and a flashy road unit. It seams with all the mack road units all they are is city trucks with sleepers attached. I would rather see a more "classic" look offered with macks current line up. Take the R model for example. Most people dont know its almost 40 years old. Mack was a leader in styling for so many years, I wish it was the same way today.

I have the puff limiter on a air switch mounted on the dash. bob tailing I notice an increase in accelaration from a dead stop or low rpm. when the truck is loaded it just feels the same. check your Fuel press if its good check your fuel feed lines from the tank. sometimes rust can collect in the lines or air from a crack will hinder flow to the pump. Trent

are you useing the clutch? or are you downshifting "by feel"?

my 711 has the starter on the pass side down low.

Just uploded a few of the show pics to my album http://bigmacktrucks.invisionzone.com/inde...w_album&album=4

that sounds about right. Even the new computer mack engines dont have the balls like they should. you feel the power come on strong and then it falls off... I hate that! Just imagine what a 2100 or 2300 RPM engine could do with a 9 speed and 3.65s out on the big road!! im not a fan of speeding but the lower rpms at hwy speed would be nice. thats the only thing I dislike about the 5/6 speeds.

July 28th -29th lake county fair grounds near rt 120 and rt 45 semi pull event as well as tractor pull and many other events see you there Trent

I thing the low RPM engines are governed at 1800RPM Im not a fan of the low RPM engine as the power band is to short. this also makes the gearing diffrent and you will need to make 100% shure that your trans and rear end ratio are not going to make the truck slower than a pete. most of the low rpm engines I have seen had 5.?? rears and 9 speeds giving the truck about 70 MPH at 1800 RPM. Standard EM6 300HP Mack engines are fairly easy to find 350s somewhat easy E7s seam to be difficult E9s seen them but always have issues to be fixed I myself would like to find a 315,300+ tip turbine and use a 9 speed

Im not shure as im not a quaility tester but I have never heard bad things about them. I have replaced all my rear brake components with PAI parts and just changed the air compressor (TF 501) all bought through PAI. i know my work has bought springs and othe camelback parts and have had no problems as well. Trent