February 5th, 2008.
PTQ530C:
I suspect that you are going to emphasize to us civillians the reason for not downshifting the deuce is likely the chance of missing the shift and ending up with a very uncontrollable truck, especially on steep grades with a loaded truck. However, I have noticed that if you are in the correct speed range and double clutch, or at least single cluthc and rev the engine, she (the M35A2) will catch and down shift to all but first gear (and first is impossible to do when moving at all). Since my part of Texas is fairly flat, I have no need to use low range on an empty truck, it just makes for more upshifts when there is no need. I am certain you guys with 3110/3118 Caterpillars probably don't need to worry about a heavy truck with a puny 140 HP White or Hercules like those of use with M35A2's that are normally aspirated. The normally aspirated engine can get throaty about 1750 - 2200 RPM's, but the smoke screen is monumental at any speed. They'll hear me coming, they just won't see me coming.
Regards,
Kyle F. McGrogan
1963 Mercedes Benz Unimog S404.114 (Swiss) (TALK ABOUT THROATY- 96HP all gas)
1971 Kaiser Jeep M35A2 Wo/W "Saddam's Nightmare" Vietnam and Desert Storm Deuce.