{"id":3468,"date":"2021-01-21T14:55:05","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T03:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/?p=3468"},"modified":"2021-01-21T14:55:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T03:55:05","slug":"the-18-speed-roadranger-gearbox-5-tips-on-how-to-adjust-to-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/the-18-speed-roadranger-gearbox-5-tips-on-how-to-adjust-to-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The 18-Speed Roadranger Gearbox – 5 Tips on How to Adjust to It"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want your truck to perform at its best, the <\/span>18-Speed Roadranger gearbox<\/span> may be the way to go.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Eaton Fuller makes three models of the <\/span>Roadranger transmission<\/span> system. There are the 13-speed, 5-through Synchronized Manual Transmission, and two variants of the 18-speed:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 5-through Constant Mesh Manual Transmission<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. 6-through Automated Constant Mesh Manual Transmission<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This article will focus on the latter two. Ultimately, you\u2019ll get a better understanding of why the Roadranger is a top choice for big rigs and learn how to transition to this gearbox smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Makes a Roadranger Gearbox Different?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The driving experience is trickier, to say the least. It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    However, any of the Roadranger gearboxes can make things easier. Check out three key characteristics that make the <\/span>Eaton Fuller 18 speed<\/span> stand out among the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

    #1 – Smooth Gear Changes<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    The <\/span>18-Speed Roadranger gearbox<\/span> will produce the <\/span>crash<\/span><\/i> sound that you\u2019re certain to be familiar with. It\u2019s not as pronounced as what comes out of some older models, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The relative quietness is a product of the smooth gear changes, which also improves the durability of the gearbox and the gears themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

    #2 – Improved Fuel Efficiency<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    Also, the sleek <\/span>Eaton Fuller gearbox<\/span> uses less power when shifting and therefore promotes fuel efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can focus on the road and shift gears when and how you like it, which reduces distractions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    #3 – Contemporary Design<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    That\u2019s what makes the <\/span>fast-shifting 18 speed<\/span> by Eaton Fuller a breath of fresh air.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Tips<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The <\/span>18-Speed Roadranger gearbox<\/span> is certainly not difficult to use. But it\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tip #1 – Practice Shifting in the H Pattern<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    Practising the H pattern is the best way to get familiar with the Roadranger. More specifically, you want to practice the following two steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Second, now that you\u2019re on the ninth gear, split up again to get the overdrive necessary to get into the top gears.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tip #2 – Understand the Basic Functions<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The starting gear position is LO and you don\u2019t use it when the gearbox is in HI. As for the other 4 ratios, they\u2019re used once in LO and HI ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You\u2019d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tip #3 – Pre-Select the Appropriate Range Shift<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    Pre-selection is vital, as the transmission makes a range shift (synchroniser) automatically whenever the lever goes through neutral.<\/span><\/p>\n

    That\u2019s why you should always pre-select the range before making a selection. This protects the transmission from damage and it\u2019s something you can do to ensure smooth shifting.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tip #4 – Master the Double-Clutching Procedure<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    How do you double-clutch with this gearbox?<\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s going to take a few steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Start by letting go of the accelerator and step on the clutch pedal just enough to put the gearbox into neutral. Don\u2019t push the pedal too far or it will engage the clutch brake.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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\u2019s how you can slow down or speed up the input gearing to match your road and gear speed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tip #5 – Master Skip Shifting<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

    This technique is worth practising, as it can save you quite a bit of work and fuel.<\/span><\/p>\n

    First, rev up to 1700 RPM and do the following simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Let go of the accelerator.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Depress the clutch.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Put the gearbox in neutral.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      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\u2019s it.<\/span><\/p>\n

      When the Rubber Meets the Road<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Improved fuel efficiency, gearbox design, and handling\u2026 W<\/span><\/p>\n

      hat more can you ask for?<\/span><\/p>\n

      The <\/span>18-Speed Roadranger gearbox<\/span> could be an outstanding choice for every big rig driver. The H pattern may take some getting used to, but it\u2019s not anything unsurmountable. You\u2019ll soon enjoy the experience and perhaps even the bragging rights.<\/span><\/p>\n

      And if you\u2019d like to see what\u2019s available on the market in terms of Roadranger transmissions, <\/span>visit Truck Dealers Australia<\/span><\/a> today. You might just find what you want and more.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3469,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3468"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3468"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3471,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3468\/revisions\/3471"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/truckdealers.com.au\/editorial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}