The 18-Speed Roadranger Gearbox – 5 Tips on How to Adjust to It
If you want your truck to perform at its best, the 18-Speed Roadranger gearbox may be the way to go.
Eaton Fuller makes three models of the Roadranger transmission system. There are the 13-speed, 5-through Synchronized Manual Transmission, and two variants of the 18-speed:
- 5-through Constant Mesh Manual Transmission
- 6-through Automated Constant Mesh Manual Transmission
This article will focus on the latter two. Ultimately, you’ll get a better understanding of why the Roadranger is a top choice for big rigs and learn how to transition to this gearbox smoothly.
What Makes a Roadranger Gearbox Different?
Getting behind the wheel of a big rig is worlds apart from an average pickup. And the biggest challenge lies in the sheer bulk of the vehicle.
The driving experience is trickier, to say the least. It’s even worse if you find yourself on roads not built to handle big rigs. When you do, you may need rapid up or downshifting to adjust to road conditions.
However, any of the Roadranger gearboxes can make things easier. Check out three key characteristics that make the Eaton Fuller 18 speed stand out among the rest.
#1 – Smooth Gear Changes
The 18-Speed Roadranger gearbox will produce the crash sound that you’re certain to be familiar with. It’s not as pronounced as what comes out of some older models, though.
The relative quietness is a product of the smooth gear changes, which also improves the durability of the gearbox and the gears themselves.
#2 – Improved Fuel Efficiency
Also, the sleek Eaton Fuller gearbox uses less power when shifting and therefore promotes fuel efficiency.
You can focus on the road and shift gears when and how you like it, which reduces distractions.
#3 – Contemporary Design
The one-of-a-kind gearbox is a significant upgrade over the last generation Eaton Fuller crash boxes. And the result is a contemporary gearbox – a welcome upgrade over transmission designs that had remained relatively unchanged for decades.
That’s what makes the fast-shifting 18 speed by Eaton Fuller a breath of fresh air.
The Tips
The 18-Speed Roadranger gearbox is certainly not difficult to use. But it’ll feel different to your old gearbox and as such, you might want to check out these tips and make the experience as smooth as possible.
Tip #1 – Practice Shifting in the H Pattern
Practising the H pattern is the best way to get familiar with the Roadranger. More specifically, you want to practice the following two steps.
First, use the first to fifth gears and then split into HI range. Proceed to use the H shift pattern for the sixth to ninth gears.
Second, now that you’re on the ninth gear, split up again to get the overdrive necessary to get into the top gears.
One thing to note here is that all the main gears have a HI and a LO range, so you can split any gear twice more.
Tip #2 – Understand the Basic Functions
Roadranger gearboxes have 4 reverse and 18 forward speeds, with the front section having 5 speeds and the auxiliary section having a splitter gear and HI and LO range ratios.
The starting gear position is LO and you don’t use it when the gearbox is in HI. As for the other 4 ratios, they’re used once in LO and HI ranges.
It’s also pretty cool that each ratio in HI and LO can be split into 4, which is how you end up with 18 of them.
You’d use the usual H pattern to shift out of LO and you can select the HI and LO ranges using the range lever. Use it one time when you upshift and one when you downshift.
Tip #3 – Pre-Select the Appropriate Range Shift
Pre-selection is vital, as the transmission makes a range shift (synchroniser) automatically whenever the lever goes through neutral.
That’s why you should always pre-select the range before making a selection. This protects the transmission from damage and it’s something you can do to ensure smooth shifting.
Tip #4 – Master the Double-Clutching Procedure
How do you double-clutch with this gearbox?
It’s going to take a few steps.
Start by letting go of the accelerator and step on the clutch pedal just enough to put the gearbox into neutral. Don’t push the pedal too far or it will engage the clutch brake.
You can release the clutch when the gearbox is in neutral. Incidentally, this also connects the input gearing of the transmission to the engine. It’s how you can slow down or speed up the input gearing to match your road and gear speed.
When you want to upshift, give the engine RPM time to slow down and align with road speed. To downshift, increase the RPM to match road speed.
At the right RPM, you can just push the clutch pedal slightly and put the shift lever into gear. You can then release the clutch and step on the accelerator.
Tip #5 – Master Skip Shifting
This technique is worth practising, as it can save you quite a bit of work and fuel.
First, rev up to 1700 RPM and do the following simultaneously.
- Let go of the accelerator.
- Depress the clutch.
- Put the gearbox in neutral.
Now, take your foot off the clutch and set the gear stick at the desired gear. As soon as it gets down to 1000 RPM, you can depress the clutch and put the transmission into gear. Release the clutch, and that’s it.
When the Rubber Meets the Road
Improved fuel efficiency, gearbox design, and handling… W
hat more can you ask for?
The 18-Speed Roadranger gearbox could be an outstanding choice for every big rig driver. The H pattern may take some getting used to, but it’s not anything unsurmountable. You’ll soon enjoy the experience and perhaps even the bragging rights.
And if you’d like to see what’s available on the market in terms of Roadranger transmissions, visit Truck Dealers Australia today. You might just find what you want and more.