I was a laborer for a small construction company in 1978. I never drove any equipment or trucks because i was the grunt guy. One day my boss ask me to take a 18 speed dump truck 40 miles away to a job site. I told him and he already knew i didn't know how to drive a dump truck or had a license to do so. He throws me in the drivers seat and shows me how to shift the gears. He shows me how to use the parking break and then says get going. I was scared shitless! I felt like i was sitting in the cockpit of a jet with all the gauges. I started out and ground gears for 40 miles. Lol. Once i got to the job site i was ask to haul gravel from 10 miles away back to the job site. I told the boss i didn't have a license to drive trucks ( didn't want to either ) and he said i don't care we need gravel. Huge difference between a loaded truck as opposed to a empty one as i found out quickly especially on the hills. This went on for a couple of weeks and i started to get used to it and liked it more then shoveling. I sent in for a permit and got it. Now I'm waiting for the drivers test date. So there i am driving a dump truck going from the pit to the job site, life was good. I got loaded one morning and was headed to the job site when i noticed blue lights coming up behind me and they stayed behind me. I almost shit myself as i wasn't allowed to drive that truck without a licensed driver with me because i only had a permit. I pull over and he comes up and says, license and registration please. In those days you didn't need proof of insurance. I found the registration and passed him my permit and registration. Hoping he wouldn't notice i didn't have a licensed driver with me. Lol. He noticed! Lol. I ask him why he pulled me over and he said because i didn't have a fuel use sticker on the door. In those days you needed one on your truck or it wasn't allowed on the main roads as i found out that morning and i didn't know that. I ask the trooper how to get one and he said that he had some in his car. This was in 1978 or 79. I ask him how much and he said 50 dollars or this truck doesn't move. Luckily i had 50 dollars on me. I gave him the money and he put the sticker on. The trooper then says, Now about this permit. You know your supposed to have somebody with you, right? I said yes sir but couldn't find anybody this morning. That was my bullshit answer. He ask me when i was going to take the road test and i gave him another bullshit answer and said in 3 months. I hadn't got any paperwork back yet on when i was taking a road test. Lol. He says ok and I'm going to let you go but if i see you again after 3 months and you still don't have a license i will summons you to court for driving without a license. I think he let me go because he just made a quick 50 dollars that did go into his right pocket. I got home that night and did have a date for the driving test. Anyway, that's how i learned to drive a dump truck and i think that took 10 years off my life. Lol. Bet you can't do that today! Lol
@@jamiepreston1490 that's a great story !! I have met a few guy's that started driving just like you said !! And the part about shoveling, I fully understand. I was working construction in early seventies. I was the dump man for an asphalt crew , didn't drive belly dumps but I thought that would be better than shoveling asphalt at the lay down machine or the worry wort job of dumping asphalt for the machine tho. Never did get promoted to truck driver there , another Supervisor offered me a job on the dirt crew at the end of that job, so I took it. Stayed with the same outfit , just a different crew. Ah , The Good Old Days , glad there gone . Happy Memories fella !!
I was in Vietnam as a welder with a combat engineer company we went out on a operation on the way back i was riding with another guy in a semi with a d7 cat on a low boy he got really sick and couldn’t drive the mps said we had to stay with the convoy i had never driven a truck of any kind in a situation like that you learn pretty quick it also had a 2 stick transmission
That's one badass truck. The only thing that would've been cooler is if your grandpa bought it brand new and had it all those years. The restoration came out beautiful.
I learned on a 10 speed the same way. was grunting doing tree work for a fellow who's daughter i had dated. one of the drivers went AWOL for a week and boss knew i drove a standard camaro and picked up on things fast for someone my age. I really enjoyed the pay bump and the fact i could drive the rig loaded to my house and skip the compound pageantry in the morning and head straight to the woodyard. the fact it was a single axle helped on the law side of things but i was definitely in CDL territory on a few loaded runs but nothing ever happened thankfully
I did some work for an old Japanese farmer who had an old Hayes with an 871 Detroit with a 5&4 setup, that man made that truck sing, never missed a shift and no grinding gears. It was a thing of beauty!
I get goosebumps when you talk about your Grandpa. I am 50 years old and still have 1 grandpa. I know the time is near, but it sounds like he was your world, just like mine is to me. Blessings to you sir.
Познакомившись с американскими грузовиками, вообще поразился тому-какие красивые грузовики у фирмы "mack"! В том числе и этот! Я то раньше думал, что мне кентворты 900 и петербилды 389 нравятся...
Who told you that? Maybe you did not watch the video. Duplex is two gears on the aux. This one has four. If you watch the video he has a plate on the dash that clearly says "Quadruplex". Are you new at truck driving?@@keithmounts5551
This sure brings back memories! I learned to drive on an old LF mack with three sticks. Five speed main, three speed aux and two speed rears. My uncle taught me over a period of three summers. He could split shift all three without using the clutch. His hands were like a blur. He could make that old Mack scream. No Jake. It had a big water tank that he could spray water on the brakes to keep them cool. They don't make truckers like him anymore, God rest his soul. Great video, thanks.
I will be 73 before the end of the year, I drove around Southern California for 14+ years and 17+ years OTR. I have driven almost every transmission from a 4x3 to a 15 Never a 5x4 or 18…….13 was a perfect fit for me. Kudos to you for driving this beautiful truck and sharing it all
❤ THAT MAC! I’m sure you and Grampa made a lot of memories together. He’s right there in the passenger seat EVERYTIME she is in use! As for me I could watch you shift her all day, what a great video ,thanks SAM!
Truck is definitely be theft proof with a 2 stick shifter in today’s society, most people can’t even handle a 4 speed manual trans today. The ole Mack is a beauty for sure, thanks for the ride along sir, enjoyed it.❤
She's a beaut, Clark. Love how excited you get driving grandpa's old truck. Really wish I had something and a memory like that I could've shared with my grandfather, but they both passed when I was so young. 😞
I know how you feel, in a way. My dad's dad passed before I was born but I turned out quite similar to him with all the mechanical and precision stuff I do, as well as personality. There is a connection, but I only know him through my dad's memories. My mom's dad had a huge influence in my life since I was his first grandchild and I grew up around the corner from him, so I got to experience all that and have his firearms, fishing stuff, toolboxes and a few tools. I wish you could have felt and known what we had.
Everything I see about you says you have a heart of gold. Your love for family, mates, equipment and also the way you relate to others. Your video editing has also come on in leaps and bounds; a lot easier to watch. Keep it up. May our Lord continue to bless you.
Beautiful vehicle, I had run a 1961 B61 pulling an old Rogers lowboy back in 1969 and 1970. It was a retired Hess Oil tractor with over a million miles. Dual sticks were not easy!
Old Hess tractor. I remember when my father became a O/O the second tractor he got was a 1975 4200 with a 318 air strater ,aluminum frame and wedge brakes wasn’t old enough enough to haul fuel but learned to work on the tractor. Videos like this brings back memories
Lou and Erma were 2 of the nicest people I've ever known. They were a key part of Brownsville's success. So glad that you are carrying on the tradition!
Wow, I can relate to this video! While I didn't get any vehicles from my grandfather, I do have firearms, tool boxes, tools, and fishing gear from him. Every time I walk in my garage, I see his old long time tool cabinet and the new stainless one the family got him after he was no longer able to do much but he still had the desire. I use his win 94 lever action rifle to win the lever action silhouette matches at the club I belong to. I used to stop by his house after a match and show him whatever pins I won for that match. I still fish with the pole he taught me on back when I was in kindergarten. My dad is similar to my grandfather (mom's dad) and I am much like my dad's dad, who passed before I was born, and then my uncle (aunt's second husband) hired me as a teen to work on their house and with his painting and construction business, which just lead me further down the path of working with my hands. It is cool to see someone else who appreciates a similar background passed on by generations before!
Wow, your grandpas old Mack tractor is beautiful Sam! Love the paint scheme with tan interior and the British racing green exterior. Keep that bad boy in tip top shape and he will be with you smiling on every drive! By the way, she looks good pulling that dozer…
Thank you for this video. I drove two old Petes with two sticks. Both were water trucks built from old log trucks. Never had any instruction. Had no idea how to properly shift them. In fact, I got my Class A with no actual instruction. Single axle GMC 6500 5 and 2 speed and a transport trailer. Never really used my license but always kept it up just in case. 37 years. Last year, my doctors decided not to renew my physical. Major BUMMER.
I got my class A in 1988 with a dump truck. One of the mechanics could sign you off and you could go to the DMV with his paperwork. I applied to Southco dist. to deliver to convenience stores in a tt and they hired me with no road test or training. Like you, I just figured it out. Thankfully it was a 9 speed. No tickets or at fault accidents so far.
your grandpa would be so glad and proud of you for keeping his truck going. And it still looks brand new like it did the first day he drove it off the lot, so you're doing him proud, and he is sitting there with you like u mentioned.
Sam, your Grandpa sure did a very nice restoration, on that Mack. She sure is a Beaut! Love the twin stick stuff too. That twin cam, never missed a beat. You have a show stopper, and I’d you added Polished Aluminum wheels on the outside of the rears, it would just add to the appearance of the sweet Mack you have.😊
What a treasure from your Grandfather. That's a truck that will always have a place in your family. Awesome demonstration on 2 stick shifting.I rode in an old Mack Termadyne with 2 or 3 sticks, the driver was always going through the steering wheel to shift. I think was 3. lots of work. Wow
WOW, wow, wow! Dad (who recently passed away at 94) tried to teach me how to drive the twin stick back in the1980s. I never mastered it, but did ok with the 18 speed with air splitter on the stick. Dad drove a B61 in the 1950s when he left the army, and always maintained his appreciation for the bare bones Mack. How blessed you are to have that old beauty and such great memories of your grandpa. Thank you for sharing this lovely truck with us!
Mack was very utilitarian without a doubt. But they could do the work all day, and be there tomorrow and do it again. They always had very distinctive lines, you could always spot a Mack. B, D, DM’s even the COE’s stood out on the truck stop lots.
Beautiful truck .... amazing! And how you talk about your Grandpa .... is the nicest part. He still is with you as long as you have him in your heart. Awesome video ..... Thank you 😊
Can see the future where practically nobody will understand this., I love stick shifting best but don't even get the chance now. Twin Sticks are wild, thanks for the ride along.
I actually learned how to drive a stick shift trans on a Mack B-62 cement mixer. Never drove a manual trans, until my dad got me a job driving cement truck for the company he worked for. I had another driver show me how the two stick trans worked, then I took my turn and 15 minutes later I was loading up for my first haul. That was the most fun I ever had on a job.
I couldn’t think of a cooler tractor…forest green old Mack with (my favorite) Big Cam 400 Cummins, and a 5+4 twin stick. Love it, love it, love it. Thanks for sharing suck an awesome truck
The LT was one of the most beautiful Macks ever built. Grandpa did an unbelievable resto and update on it!. First vehicle Dad taught me to drive with was a long hood B with a triplex in an A & P parking lot on a Sunday afternoon many many years ago! Those old bulldogs where the best of the best. This old dog is in excellent hands! Goes to show “all good dogs go to heaven” . Thanks for the vid.
I've fussed with a couple twins, but never got the chance to really understand them. Thanks for this video. I wan t to buy one someday. Twins used to be an art, though the old timers will tell you they just drove a truck. When grandad couldn't fall anymore her got in a truck. And grandma drove log truck while he was falling. They're a hell of a lot tougher than I'll ever be, and way cooler too.
Great tutorial. I learned on one of those in the 70’s. The only thing you missed was to carry (2) 2’ pieces of rebar to unlock them from underneath when they’re both get locked in neutral! Not many drivers left that can run one of those! Beautiful truck, so glad you’ve kept it in such nice shape! Your grandfather would be proud of you!
Well that totally screwed up my idea of how you shift a 5 & 4. lol Beautiful machine and well kept. Enjoyed seeing the old houses at about 8:20. My dream homes. Still more solid than today's offerings. Thanks for all this.
Back in '79 I learned on a '65 Autocar with a 5 and 4. The truck I owned later had a Fuller 9 speed. Like your Mack it had a 22" steering wheel to go with the armstrong steering. Nice to see the trailer brake lever where I'm used to seeing/using it. Definitely a nice trip down memory lane -- thanks.
Honestly what a cool old truck your grandpa had and now you get to drive her around, always wanted to have a crack at a old stain stick too they look a pure blast to drive
Watching this brings back memories. Drove a ’76 Pete with a 4&4 Brownie and a Cummins 350. Was able to shift without a clutch and no grinding except when in Lo-Lo; never mastered that. One of the veteran drivers would only use the clutch to take off; once in motion, never touched the clutch, running up and down the gears and the auxiliary box. Next truck was a mid-80s KW with the same engine and a 15 speed Road Ranger; what a night and day difference in ease of use. Flip the range switch in 5th, double clutch and row to 1st, hear the pop, life was good. Never ran a two switch shifter.
Now that is truck driving. I had the pleasure to drive a 5+4 and a 10+4 in my career. Really liked them for the loads we pulled. Your Grandpa's truck is Beautiful. He did a Awesome job restoring it. Thank you Sam for sharing.
I'm 68 yrs old and I drove a 63 Mack 10 wheeler dump truck with a cummins and quadruplex trans . One of the hardest 2 stick transmissions to master. Nice truck. Anyone would be proud have a beautiful classic like that.
5:25 - Let's take a second or two and show some gratitude for our grandfathers for their priceless lessons (and of course, a few things that our parents didn't know about) and memories like this. Absolutely beautiful truck, Sam.
My grandfather drove one of these same trucks in the late fifties and early sixties. I rode with him once in about 1961 or 1962 when I was seven years old. Watching him go so smoothly through the gears on the twin box, up-shifting and down-shifting was mesmerizing. Sam, your grandfather taught you well and would be proud!
I came from a family of old school drivers, (I'm almost 70") and have heard so many stories of driving them old 2 sticks....always wanted to get my hands on one. I'm just an old driver livin a family tradition...but haven't driven one yet....Kudos to YOU Brother...(kinda jelly)
I miss talking with your grandfather about our buses we stayed in at the Brownsville show. He had the Mc5 MCI and we stayed in our 4104 GM. Very nice video Sam.
Man, that is a great looking rig. Your grandpa did a dang jam up job restoring this piece of history. Thanks for the lesson on how to shift a twin stick. Will probably never drive one, but now I know how to 😂
I absolutely love your grandfathers old Mack. Great job explaining the transmissions and showing how to shift the old girl. Driving those old trucks definitely separates the men from the boys. I really enjoyed the video thanks.
Very well done! No apologies necessary on grinding a little now and then, We don’t drive them every day and there is an art to it. Great point on timing stop lights. Headed into the first stop light at the Ballston Spa show I caught every gear going down to a red light without grinding and was quite proud of myself. The guy behind me talking on his phone and drinking a latte while trying to park under that big old Mack Differential was not at all happy for me. Great job and thanks for sharing!
That is one beautiful representation of an oldie.. I just can't not love it. I started out a sales guy for 20 years, now I drive trucks and I absolutely love em..
When I first started running cranes, 25 years ago, we had a few old cranes with "brownies". Except, in a crane, the cab is so small, the sticks are north and south, instead of side by side, like in a truck. Every once in a while, you'd get the rear stick (the main box) with your elbow and put it into neutral, while you were splitting with the front stick...and then you'd have them both in neutral. It was a nightmare to get through town with. Good times! And, it's kinda funny how times change. That Big Cam 400 Cummins was unbelievably powerful back in the day! We used to fight over the truck with the 400 in it. Now I don't think we own a truck with less than a 550hp engine in it, and they're just plain old trucks we use to haul boom.
Brought back old memories my friend. Drove my Dady in laws '56 needle nose Pete. 262 Cummins coupled to a five by four with a double overdrive. Learned how to drive just like you showed. It was fun I thought back then , now they have automatics in the trucks. Don't care for those much , rather have the old thirteen speed , or the twin sticks, loved those cause they would keep you awake shifting all the time with a heavy load.
Dude! That was totally awesome! I’ve never been in one of those trucks, and this is probably the closest I’ll ever get. I really, really appreciate this video. I think you did a great job on the shifts. Your grandfather would be proud!
That ol’ truck makes my heart go pitty-pat. Beautiful. As someone who has always appreciated the big tractors but never got to ride in one, thanks for taking me along for the ride and explaining the gears.
Sam, way to show the younger generation what truck driving is all about. Twin Sticks are a lost art for the most part and its nice to see folks like you who are bringing these incredible machines to younger people. I for one drove modern trucks and fire engines. I miss the old B-model, L-Model, and CF-Model Macks. Love the rig you have. Sweet looking. Love the sound of the Cummins and Jake, but also love Detroits with Jakes. Grandpa is right there with you forever and is so very proud of you for taking care of his beautiful truck. Keep up the great work and hope to see more video's Driver!!
Thank you for sharing your grandfathers Mac truck with us. I’m a third generation truck driver. I miss my grandpa and my father. Thank you for sharing man we love your channel and your content ❤❤❤❤❤
4:33 I wonder if you notice the slots in the screws holding all the placards to the dash are all lined up horizontally and the crosshead screws holding the switches are also. Neat, and a sign of attention to detail. Beautiful truck!!
Beautiful truck Sam. I remember my father talking about the old Mack two stick trucks. In Australia they called the secondary gearbox “Joey Boxes” because they were a baby gearbox attached to the mama gearbox :) I never got to drive one, sad to say. You take good care of that sweet rig!
You are a young man of character and integrity. The way you cherish the memory of grandpa vicariously through the lovely old Mack wow I am so impressed! You keep that tender heart and the warmth we feel from your channel you made an old lonely man feel like somebody must love me too somewhere. Keep up the good work you deserve much appreciation.
Boy - mastering those gears is a real art! Great video to watch - don't think we ever had the twin sticks here in the UK, but two speed back axles were quite common years ago.
Sam, thank you for the ride-a-long in what I can only say is a beautiful truck!! The family history and memory you have with your grandfather plus the passion you have is what makes this a special video! Again, thank you, sir, for sharing such a great video!! *new subscriber*
I knew these drivers were good, but, man, this is absolutely amazing to me. I've spent more than a few hours in the passenger seat, watching guys run through all this shifting, but never quite really got a handle on it. Especially since the shifting changed on whether he had a load on the truck or not. And while they were doing all that gear jamming, we'd be talking about his analysis of yesterday's NFL games! Absolutely amazing! Even to this day, 40 years later, I always try to make sure to let these guys do what they need to do and not get in their way. Of course, that's pissed off other car drivers from time to time but the truck drivers sure do appreciate getting a flash from my headlights, letting them know they can pull out to pass. They always give me a flash of the four-ways in appreciation.
What a throwback!! I learned to drive on a 4by4 spicer and a qudra Plex Mack! God the old days are gone for ever. I notice he doesn't have an air ride seat either, probably why I have back problems now. God bless and thank you. David
Oh the tings we endured, doing the job we loved. How about the Hendrickson walking beam suspension? That thing was a treat! The ‘64 International I drove in the coal fields had that. The bushings were so badly worn, watching the drivers in the mirror was to say the leased fascinating, watching them dance from side to side, go into a corner and feel the truck “walk” to the outside feeling the whole tractor sway from side to side. How did we survive?
When I started driving 60 years ago we called that second shifter a brownie. The first truck I drove was a 55 marmon with a 5 speed main box and a 3 speed 3:25 brownie. No power steering it had Armstrong steering, the a.c was 2 x 50 roll the windows down and go 50 mph. No radio solid spring ride that rattled your kidneys. The good Ole days. The kids driving today wouldn't last a day driving what we had to drive . Boy did this video ever bring back the memories. Using the jake to match your gears,that's an art not everyone could do that ,but be careful I had a new driver I was breaking in try using the Jake to shift and the idiot killed the engine. When we finally got stopped he rode an I drove back to the shop and told the boss he could take him I was done. Nothing prettier then the long nose mack,that's when they made trucks ,what I'd give to be able to drive one of them just one more time. You are one good driver I've only known a handful of men that could shift both shifters at the same time. Today's kids would forget what gears they were in.
My uncle wore a weight lifter's kidney belt driving that old iron in his later years just for that reason. Worst part was he was driving it with hanging beef in the trailer. When they first came out with clover leaf interchanges that was a skill.
Now that is REAL driving ... 😃 Thanks for showing how it is done! As far as I am concerned, I would have gladly watched the whole journey without any cuts - watching twin stick driving never gets old to me. And while you have explained the principal shift logic very well before starting, it was still somewhat difficult to figure out the reasons why you shifted at certain points (and why you did not shift at certain other points, although the engine sounded like a higher gear might make sense), because the viewer cannot 'read' the road ahead as the driver can (and has to). Also, it is somewhat difficult to judge the actual speed of the rig at any given time - I was quite astonished to hear that you were only going 20 mph at a certain point, it definitely looked faster than that to me.
20 on that uphill grade was actually pretty amazing. Video is hard to show grade but I was watching the houses out the window behind him and I kind of know that part of the state. That was a steep grade two lane for sure.
Enjoyed the video Sam. Your Grandfather did a great restoration on the 56 Mack. I believe you have the shifting down pat. Thanks for the video. You take care and God bless.
Sam, to me this is the best UA-cam video that I have ever watched! Keep up the great work! Never meet your grandfather but I believe that he would be proud to see how you continue to take care of his machines and collect your own. Yea I do like that truck, maybe I could catch a ride someday if you have it at Brownsville, I could be your camera man.
This brings back some nice memories ! I learned to drive in my fathers 1956 B61 Triplex in the mid 1970's. I will never forget the smell of that truck with the heater full blast trying to take the cold out of a Wisconsin winter..
Next to our shop was 8 truckers 7 cab overs 1 Mack R series. I Very young at the time the guy would let drive the Kenworth Cab over 5&4 around in the field. My early teens I got to back it up to a trailer. One I got the hang of it when he would come back from trips or ready to go on a trip. I would hook up or back up and unhook and put the truck in the shop. Lot of fun at that time.😂😂
Beautiful old Mack. We all have those special memories of our grandfathers. Back in the day I drove a IH tandem dump with a 5 and a 3. Most operations today are being forced into automatic transmissions in order to get drivers in the seats. As you know there's a difference between knowing how to make a truck move and really knowing how to drive the darn thing.
I was a laborer for a small construction company in 1978. I never drove any equipment or trucks because i was the grunt guy. One day my boss ask me to take a 18 speed dump truck 40 miles away to a job site. I told him and he already knew i didn't know how to drive a dump truck or had a license to do so. He throws me in the drivers seat and shows me how to shift the gears. He shows me how to use the parking break and then says get going. I was scared shitless! I felt like i was sitting in the cockpit of a jet with all the gauges. I started out and ground gears for 40 miles. Lol. Once i got to the job site i was ask to haul gravel from 10 miles away back to the job site. I told the boss i didn't have a license to drive trucks ( didn't want to either ) and he said i don't care we need gravel. Huge difference between a loaded truck as opposed to a empty one as i found out quickly especially on the hills. This went on for a couple of weeks and i started to get used to it and liked it more then shoveling. I sent in for a permit and got it. Now I'm waiting for the drivers test date. So there i am driving a dump truck going from the pit to the job site, life was good. I got loaded one morning and was headed to the job site when i noticed blue lights coming up behind me and they stayed behind me. I almost shit myself as i wasn't allowed to drive that truck without a licensed driver with me because i only had a permit. I pull over and he comes up and says, license and registration please. In those days you didn't need proof of insurance. I found the registration and passed him my permit and registration. Hoping he wouldn't notice i didn't have a licensed driver with me. Lol. He noticed! Lol. I ask him why he pulled me over and he said because i didn't have a fuel use sticker on the door. In those days you needed one on your truck or it wasn't allowed on the main roads as i found out that morning and i didn't know that. I ask the trooper how to get one and he said that he had some in his car. This was in 1978 or 79. I ask him how much and he said 50 dollars or this truck doesn't move. Luckily i had 50 dollars on me. I gave him the money and he put the sticker on. The trooper then says, Now about this permit. You know your supposed to have somebody with you, right? I said yes sir but couldn't find anybody this morning. That was my bullshit answer. He ask me when i was going to take the road test and i gave him another bullshit answer and said in 3 months. I hadn't got any paperwork back yet on when i was taking a road test. Lol. He says ok and I'm going to let you go but if i see you again after 3 months and you still don't have a license i will summons you to court for driving without a license. I think he let me go because he just made a quick 50 dollars that did go into his right pocket. I got home that night and did have a date for the driving test. Anyway, that's how i learned to drive a dump truck and i think that took 10 years off my life. Lol. Bet you can't do that today! Lol
@@jamiepreston1490 that's a great story !! I have met a few guy's that started driving just like you said !! And the part about shoveling, I fully understand. I was working construction in early seventies. I was the dump man for an asphalt crew , didn't drive belly dumps but I thought that would be better than shoveling asphalt at the lay down machine or the worry wort job of dumping asphalt for the machine tho. Never did get promoted to truck driver there , another Supervisor offered me a job on the dirt crew at the end of that job, so I took it. Stayed with the same outfit , just a different crew. Ah , The Good Old Days , glad there gone . Happy Memories fella !!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading your story!
I was in Vietnam as a welder with a combat engineer company we went out on a operation on the way back i was riding with another guy in a semi with a d7 cat on a low boy he got really sick and couldn’t drive the mps said we had to stay with the convoy i had never driven a truck of any kind in a situation like that you learn pretty quick it also had a 2 stick transmission
That's one badass truck. The only thing that would've been cooler is if your grandpa bought it brand new and had it all those years. The restoration came out beautiful.
I learned on a 10 speed the same way. was grunting doing tree work for a fellow who's daughter i had dated. one of the drivers went AWOL for a week and boss knew i drove a standard camaro and picked up on things fast for someone my age. I really enjoyed the pay bump and the fact i could drive the rig loaded to my house and skip the compound pageantry in the morning and head straight to the woodyard. the fact it was a single axle helped on the law side of things but i was definitely in CDL territory on a few loaded runs but nothing ever happened thankfully
I did some work for an old Japanese farmer who had an old Hayes with an 871 Detroit with a 5&4 setup, that man made that truck sing, never missed a shift and no grinding gears. It was a thing of beauty!
never thats a lie
@@herbdean9244 Why would he lie about that??
Anyone who says they've never grinded, or missed a gear hasn't been driving long enough 😂
@@jonnothetruckertrue, we all scratched a gear or two when we started 😆
What an absolutely beautiful truck Sam. Glad you and Matt are keeping these old beauties around for all of us to enjoy
Real Man's Truck....
@@horsepowerhorsepower3861😂
@@horsepowerhorsepower3861😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thank you Jeremy, say my words 👏👏👏 greetings from south of Brasil 🤗
@@horsepowerhorsepower3861 And real men are dying out way before that truck will..
I get goosebumps when you talk about your Grandpa. I am 50 years old and still have 1 grandpa. I know the time is near, but it sounds like he was your world, just like mine is to me. Blessings to you sir.
In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful trucks ever and I have full admiration for anyone who can shift gears cleanly
It's not just shifting gears. It's a twin.. Thats a whole different beast until you learn it. Then it becomes twice the fun..
The LT's were one of the best looking trucks of the era and possibly the best looking Mack of all time.
No doubt- they’re definitely my favorite truck
No, I think it was the B series. But your truck is gorgeous.
@@darrellbedford4857my dad had a B model Mack.
Mom named it old ugly.
The L series is an awesome looking truck.
Love the Autocar too.
@@haroldphipps3457yeah the B is too bulbous. I like the LT R AND Superliner
Познакомившись с американскими грузовиками, вообще поразился тому-какие красивые грузовики у фирмы "mack"! В том числе и этот! Я то раньше думал, что мне кентворты 900 и петербилды 389 нравятся...
Beautiful demo of the Quadruplex. It really does paint the picture that this old iron has a personality and a mood.
Of you ever drove fiat Heston tractor or italian made farm tractor same style shift except can only shift one stick on fly tranny 5:02 y
it's not a quadruplex, it's called a Duplex!!!
Who told you that? Maybe you did not watch the video. Duplex is two gears on the aux. This one has four. If you watch the video he has a plate on the dash that clearly says "Quadruplex". Are you new at truck driving?@@keithmounts5551
@@keithmounts5551 1:53 "20 speed quadruplex transmission with main direct in 4th."
@@keithmounts5551 A duplex has only two gears on the compound and 5 on the main. This one has 4 gears on the compound, hence 'quad'.
This sure brings back memories! I learned to drive on an old LF mack with three sticks. Five speed main, three speed aux and two speed rears. My uncle taught me over a period of three summers. He could split shift all three without using the clutch. His hands were like a blur. He could make that old Mack scream. No Jake. It had a big water tank that he could spray water on the brakes to keep them cool. They don't make truckers like him anymore, God rest his soul. Great video, thanks.
Finally someone who can explain shifting well. 👍
I will be 73 before the end of the year, I drove around Southern California for 14+ years and 17+ years OTR. I have driven almost every transmission from a 4x3 to a 15 Never a 5x4 or 18…….13 was a perfect fit for me. Kudos to you for driving this beautiful truck and sharing it all
❤ THAT MAC! I’m sure you and Grampa made a lot of memories together. He’s right there in the passenger seat EVERYTIME she is in use! As for me I could watch you shift her all day, what a great video ,thanks SAM!
Thank you for watching!
My uncle had the same exact truck when I was a kid . I’m 72 now and I can still remember going along with him. Thought we were kings of the road.
Truck is definitely be theft proof with a 2 stick shifter in today’s society, most people can’t even handle a 4 speed manual trans today. The ole Mack is a beauty for sure, thanks for the ride along sir, enjoyed it.❤
I don’t know why I’m soo confused with this setup lol
It's just shifting with extra shifts between shifts. Lmao
The inside of that cab is _immaculate._ It's apparent how much you cherish that truck, and by doing so, your grandfather's memory.
That's a really pretty old Mack. I'm so glad someone cared enough about it to preserve it.
Sam you grand father would be proud of the way you can drive and take care of his truck. Thats a beautiful truck . Thanks for taking us along.
I like the way you respect your heritage and the associated equipment- cheers
She's a beaut, Clark.
Love how excited you get driving grandpa's old truck. Really wish I had something and a memory like that I could've shared with my grandfather, but they both passed when I was so young. 😞
I know how you feel, in a way. My dad's dad passed before I was born but I turned out quite similar to him with all the mechanical and precision stuff I do, as well as personality. There is a connection, but I only know him through my dad's memories. My mom's dad had a huge influence in my life since I was his first grandchild and I grew up around the corner from him, so I got to experience all that and have his firearms, fishing stuff, toolboxes and a few tools. I wish you could have felt and known what we had.
Everything I see about you says you have a heart of gold. Your love for family, mates, equipment and also the way you relate to others. Your video editing has also come on in leaps and bounds; a lot easier to watch. Keep it up. May our Lord continue to bless you.
Wow, thank you for your kind words!
Beautiful vehicle, I had run a 1961 B61 pulling an old Rogers lowboy back in 1969 and 1970. It was a retired Hess Oil tractor with over a million miles. Dual sticks were not easy!
Old Hess tractor. I remember when my father became a O/O the second tractor he got was a 1975 4200 with a 318 air strater ,aluminum frame and wedge brakes wasn’t old enough enough to haul fuel but learned to work on the tractor. Videos like this brings back memories
Lou and Erma were 2 of the nicest people I've ever known. They were a key part of Brownsville's success. So glad that you are carrying on the tradition!
Yes. Lou and Erma were very fine people!!!
Wow, I can relate to this video! While I didn't get any vehicles from my grandfather, I do have firearms, tool boxes, tools, and fishing gear from him. Every time I walk in my garage, I see his old long time tool cabinet and the new stainless one the family got him after he was no longer able to do much but he still had the desire. I use his win 94 lever action rifle to win the lever action silhouette matches at the club I belong to. I used to stop by his house after a match and show him whatever pins I won for that match. I still fish with the pole he taught me on back when I was in kindergarten. My dad is similar to my grandfather (mom's dad) and I am much like my dad's dad, who passed before I was born, and then my uncle (aunt's second husband) hired me as a teen to work on their house and with his painting and construction business, which just lead me further down the path of working with my hands. It is cool to see someone else who appreciates a similar background passed on by generations before!
I love that truck. I met your grandfather several times but being 70 years old I don't remember his name. Keep it rolling.
This is by far the best explanation of how a 5×4 works that ive found on the internet.
Wow, your grandpas old Mack tractor is beautiful Sam! Love the paint scheme with tan interior and the British racing green exterior. Keep that bad boy in tip top shape and he will be with you smiling on every drive! By the way, she looks good pulling that dozer…
God bless those men that had to deal with the 2 sticks! Hats off to your grandpa for teaching you!
Thank you for this video. I drove two old Petes with two sticks. Both were water trucks built from old log trucks. Never had any instruction. Had no idea how to properly shift them. In fact, I got my Class A with no actual instruction. Single axle GMC 6500 5 and 2 speed and a transport trailer. Never really used my license but always kept it up just in case. 37 years. Last year, my doctors decided not to renew my physical. Major BUMMER.
Too bad they won't let you renew it. It is very hard to get one nowadays.
I got my class A in 1988 with a dump truck. One of the mechanics could sign you off and you could go to the DMV with his paperwork. I applied to Southco dist. to deliver to convenience stores in a tt and they hired me with no road test or training. Like you, I just figured it out. Thankfully it was a 9 speed. No tickets or at fault accidents so far.
your grandpa would be so glad and proud of you for keeping his truck going.
And it still looks brand new like it did the first day he drove it off the lot, so you're doing him proud, and he is sitting there with you like u mentioned.
Sam, your Grandpa sure did a very nice restoration, on that Mack. She sure is a Beaut! Love the twin stick stuff too. That twin cam, never missed a beat. You have a show stopper, and I’d you added Polished Aluminum wheels on the outside of the rears, it would just add to the appearance of the sweet Mack you have.😊
What a treasure from your Grandfather. That's a truck that will always have a place in your family. Awesome demonstration on 2 stick shifting.I rode in an old Mack Termadyne with 2 or 3 sticks, the driver was always going through the steering wheel to shift. I think was 3. lots of work. Wow
WHAT A TRUCK! I really like the color too, sets off the chrome nicely. I really like the style of the older trucks.
WOW, wow, wow! Dad (who recently passed away at 94) tried to teach me how to drive the twin stick back in the1980s. I never mastered it, but did ok with the 18 speed with air splitter on the stick. Dad drove a B61 in the 1950s when he left the army, and always maintained his appreciation for the bare bones Mack. How blessed you are to have that old beauty and such great memories of your grandpa. Thank you for sharing this lovely truck with us!
Mack was very utilitarian without a doubt. But they could do the work all day, and be there tomorrow and do it again. They always had very distinctive lines, you could always spot a Mack. B, D, DM’s even the COE’s stood out on the truck stop lots.
Beautiful truck .... amazing! And how you talk about your Grandpa .... is the nicest part. He still is with you as long as you have him in your heart. Awesome video ..... Thank you 😊
Can see the future where practically nobody will understand this., I love stick shifting best but don't even get the chance now. Twin Sticks are wild, thanks for the ride along.
Sam you make some awesome content! Keep up the good work buddy! That Mack is beautiful and I’m sure your grandpa is proud of you
Thanks a ton!
Grandpa is DEFINITELY proud of you.
No doubt! 😎👍🏾
Trouble with old Macks is that every nut and bolt had to come from Mack. They were notoriously underpowered for use on modern interstates
I actually learned how to drive a stick shift trans on a Mack B-62 cement mixer. Never drove a manual trans, until my dad got me a job driving cement truck for the company he worked for. I had another driver show me how the two stick trans worked, then I took my turn and 15 minutes later I was loading up for my first haul. That was the most fun I ever had on a job.
I couldn’t think of a cooler tractor…forest green old Mack with (my favorite) Big Cam 400 Cummins, and a 5+4 twin stick. Love it, love it, love it. Thanks for sharing suck an awesome truck
The LT was one of the most beautiful Macks ever built. Grandpa did an unbelievable resto and update on it!. First vehicle Dad taught me to drive with was a long hood B with a triplex in an A & P parking lot on a Sunday afternoon many many years ago! Those old bulldogs where the best of the best. This old dog is in excellent hands! Goes to show “all good dogs go to heaven” . Thanks for the vid.
Sam your trucks are a beautiful example of an amazing age of trucking thank you Awsome video
I've fussed with a couple twins, but never got the chance to really understand them. Thanks for this video. I wan t to buy one someday. Twins used to be an art, though the old timers will tell you they just drove a truck. When grandad couldn't fall anymore her got in a truck. And grandma drove log truck while he was falling. They're a hell of a lot tougher than I'll ever be, and way cooler too.
Great tutorial. I learned on one of those in the 70’s. The only thing you missed was to carry (2) 2’ pieces of rebar to unlock them from underneath when they’re both get locked in neutral! Not many drivers left that can run one of those! Beautiful truck, so glad you’ve kept it in such nice shape! Your grandfather would be proud of you!
I learned on an autocar with a 5 and 4 behind a 350 bc cummins. Very few can drive old iron like that. Sweet ride, thanks for sharing with us.
Well that totally screwed up my idea of how you shift a 5 & 4. lol Beautiful machine and well kept. Enjoyed seeing the old houses at about 8:20. My dream homes. Still more solid than today's offerings.
Thanks for all this.
What a refreshing change - seeing someone using the clutch!
Back in '79 I learned on a '65 Autocar with a 5 and 4. The truck I owned later had a Fuller 9 speed. Like your Mack it had a 22" steering wheel to go with the armstrong steering. Nice to see the trailer brake lever where I'm used to seeing/using it. Definitely a nice trip down memory lane -- thanks.
Honestly what a cool old truck your grandpa had and now you get to drive her around, always wanted to have a crack at a old stain stick too they look a pure blast to drive
That is a gorgeous 1stack mack with the window in the back. Sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing that buddy.
Watching this brings back memories. Drove a ’76 Pete with a 4&4 Brownie and a Cummins 350. Was able to shift without a clutch and no grinding except when in Lo-Lo; never mastered that. One of the veteran drivers would only use the clutch to take off; once in motion, never touched the clutch, running up and down the gears and the auxiliary box.
Next truck was a mid-80s KW with the same engine and a 15 speed Road Ranger; what a night and day difference in ease of use. Flip the range switch in 5th, double clutch and row to 1st, hear the pop, life was good. Never ran a two switch shifter.
Now that is truck driving. I had the pleasure to drive a 5+4 and a 10+4 in my career. Really liked them for the loads we pulled. Your Grandpa's truck is Beautiful. He did a Awesome job restoring it. Thank you Sam for sharing.
The L Model is beautiful and I was happy to see a modern day driver still double clutching. Your grandfather has to be proud of you.
Great video Sam! Great truck! Motor sounds sweet! I miss your Grandfather too. He & Erma are/were a class act.
I'm 68 yrs old and I drove a 63 Mack 10 wheeler dump truck with a cummins and quadruplex trans . One of the hardest 2 stick transmissions to master. Nice truck. Anyone would be proud have a beautiful classic like that.
Thats just about the best theft deterrant I've ever seen. Sweet truck.
Hell, my five speed manual ford focus was a theft deterrent. Most car hijackers and thieves cannot drive a manual of any type.
5:25 - Let's take a second or two and show some gratitude for our grandfathers for their priceless lessons (and of course, a few things that our parents didn't know about) and memories like this. Absolutely beautiful truck, Sam.
Wow what an awesome job your grandfather did restoring that truck,it's beautiful and sounds so sweet,thanks for sharing Sam and stay safe.
My grandfather drove one of these same trucks in the late fifties and early sixties. I rode with him once in about 1961 or 1962 when I was seven years old. Watching him go so smoothly through the gears on the twin box, up-shifting and down-shifting was mesmerizing. Sam, your grandfather taught you well and would be proud!
Grandpa loved you son….dont know the man but he loved you.
Beautiful truck.
Sam, old is gold. I really love seeing that old Mack hitting the road. Thanks to you and your Grandpa...👍👍👍
I came from a family of old school drivers, (I'm almost 70") and have heard so many stories of driving them old 2 sticks....always wanted to get my hands on one. I'm just an old driver livin a family tradition...but haven't driven one yet....Kudos to YOU Brother...(kinda jelly)
I miss talking with your grandfather about our buses we stayed in at the Brownsville show. He had the Mc5 MCI and we stayed in our 4104 GM. Very nice video Sam.
Nice tribute to your grandfather. I'm sure he'd be glad to know the old truck still working hard.
Man, that is a great looking rig. Your grandpa did a dang jam up job restoring this piece of history. Thanks for the lesson on how to shift a twin stick. Will probably never drive one, but now I know how to 😂
I absolutely love your grandfathers old Mack. Great job explaining the transmissions and showing how to shift the old girl. Driving those old trucks definitely separates the men from the boys. I really enjoyed the video thanks.
Very well done! No apologies necessary on grinding a little now and then, We don’t drive them every day and there is an art to it. Great point on timing stop lights. Headed into the first stop light at the Ballston Spa show I caught every gear going down to a red light without grinding and was quite proud of myself. The guy behind me talking on his phone and drinking a latte while trying to park under that big old Mack Differential was not at all happy for me. Great job and thanks for sharing!
Yeah, but he did not get there any sooner for driving under that differential did he?
That is one beautiful representation of an oldie.. I just can't not love it. I started out a sales guy for 20 years, now I drive trucks and I absolutely love em..
Beautiful old Mack. a art to shift the gears on this old girl, but it still kicks butt pulling a load.
When I first started running cranes, 25 years ago, we had a few old cranes with "brownies". Except, in a crane, the cab is so small, the sticks are north and south, instead of side by side, like in a truck. Every once in a while, you'd get the rear stick (the main box) with your elbow and put it into neutral, while you were splitting with the front stick...and then you'd have them both in neutral. It was a nightmare to get through town with. Good times! And, it's kinda funny how times change. That Big Cam 400 Cummins was unbelievably powerful back in the day! We used to fight over the truck with the 400 in it. Now I don't think we own a truck with less than a 550hp engine in it, and they're just plain old trucks we use to haul boom.
Beautiful truck, and it's great that it was your Grandpa's truck and what you learned to drive on.
Brought back old memories my friend. Drove my Dady in laws '56 needle nose Pete. 262 Cummins coupled to a five by four with a double overdrive. Learned how to drive just like you showed. It was fun I thought back then , now they have automatics in the trucks. Don't care for those much , rather have the old thirteen speed , or the twin sticks, loved those cause they would keep you awake shifting all the time with a heavy load.
Dude! That was totally awesome! I’ve never been in one of those trucks, and this is probably the closest I’ll ever get. I really, really appreciate this video. I think you did a great job on the shifts. Your grandfather would be proud!
That ol’ truck makes my heart go pitty-pat. Beautiful. As someone who has always appreciated the big tractors but never got to ride in one, thanks for taking me along for the ride and explaining the gears.
Nice old Mack! Looks like he done a great job!😊😊
Sam, way to show the younger generation what truck driving is all about. Twin Sticks are a lost art for the most part and its nice to see folks like you who are bringing these incredible machines to younger people. I for one drove modern trucks and fire engines. I miss the old B-model, L-Model, and CF-Model Macks. Love the rig you have. Sweet looking. Love the sound of the Cummins and Jake, but also love Detroits with Jakes. Grandpa is right there with you forever and is so very proud of you for taking care of his beautiful truck. Keep up the great work and hope to see more video's Driver!!
Thank you for sharing your grandfathers Mac truck with us. I’m a third generation truck driver. I miss my grandpa and my father. Thank you for sharing man we love your channel and your content ❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the memory Sam.
I used to drive an Autocar with Cat 1673 and the same twin stick configuration in 1962 in California.
4:33 I wonder if you notice the slots in the screws holding all the placards to the dash are all lined up horizontally and the crosshead screws holding the switches are also. Neat, and a sign of attention to detail. Beautiful truck!!
I know your grandpa is proud of his grandson and the man you've become. Thanks for the nice video.
Beautiful truck Sam.
I remember my father talking about the old Mack two stick trucks. In Australia they called the secondary gearbox “Joey Boxes” because they were a baby gearbox attached to the mama gearbox :)
I never got to drive one, sad to say.
You take good care of that sweet rig!
You are a young man of character and integrity. The way you cherish the memory of grandpa vicariously through the lovely old Mack wow I am so impressed! You keep that tender heart and the warmth we feel from your channel you made an old lonely man feel like somebody must love me too somewhere. Keep up the good work you deserve much appreciation.
Boy - mastering those gears is a real art! Great video to watch - don't think we ever had the twin sticks here in the UK, but two speed back axles were quite common years ago.
Sam, thank you for the ride-a-long in what I can only say is a beautiful truck!! The family history and memory you have with your grandfather plus the passion you have is what makes this a special video! Again, thank you, sir, for sharing such a great video!! *new subscriber*
Your Grandpa was AWESOME!!
I knew these drivers were good, but, man, this is absolutely amazing to me. I've spent more than a few hours in the passenger seat, watching guys run through all this shifting, but never quite really got a handle on it. Especially since the shifting changed on whether he had a load on the truck or not. And while they were doing all that gear jamming, we'd be talking about his analysis of yesterday's NFL games! Absolutely amazing! Even to this day, 40 years later, I always try to make sure to let these guys do what they need to do and not get in their way. Of course, that's pissed off other car drivers from time to time but the truck drivers sure do appreciate getting a flash from my headlights, letting them know they can pull out to pass. They always give me a flash of the four-ways in appreciation.
For me, this video isn't about the twin sticks as it is that beautiful classic Mack.
What a throwback!! I learned to drive on a 4by4 spicer and a qudra Plex Mack! God the old days are gone for ever. I notice he doesn't have an air ride seat either, probably why I have back problems now. God bless and thank you. David
Oh the tings we endured, doing the job we loved. How about the Hendrickson walking beam suspension? That thing was a treat! The ‘64 International I drove in the coal fields had that. The bushings were so badly worn, watching the drivers in the mirror was to say the leased fascinating, watching them dance from side to side, go into a corner and feel the truck “walk” to the outside feeling the whole tractor sway from side to side. How did we survive?
When I started driving 60 years ago we called that second shifter a brownie. The first truck I drove was a 55 marmon with a 5 speed main box and a 3 speed 3:25 brownie. No power steering it had Armstrong steering, the a.c was 2 x 50 roll the windows down and go 50 mph. No radio solid spring ride that rattled your kidneys. The good Ole days. The kids driving today wouldn't last a day driving what we had to drive . Boy did this video ever bring back the memories. Using the jake to match your gears,that's an art not everyone could do that ,but be careful I had a new driver I was breaking in try using the Jake to shift and the idiot killed the engine. When we finally got stopped he rode an I drove back to the shop and told the boss he could take him I was done. Nothing prettier then the long nose mack,that's when they made trucks ,what I'd give to be able to drive one of them just one more time. You are one good driver I've only known a handful of men that could shift both shifters at the same time.
Today's kids would forget what gears they were in.
My uncle wore a weight lifter's kidney belt driving that old iron in his later years just for that reason. Worst part was he was driving it with hanging beef in the trailer. When they first came out with clover leaf interchanges that was a skill.
What a great tutorial on twin sticks I learned in a old Mack cabover in 1970. I miss my pops and grandpa 😢 thanks for sharing ❤
Now that is REAL driving ... 😃 Thanks for showing how it is done!
As far as I am concerned, I would have gladly watched the whole journey without any cuts - watching twin stick driving never gets old to me.
And while you have explained the principal shift logic very well before starting, it was still somewhat difficult to figure out the reasons why you shifted at certain points (and why you did not shift at certain other points, although the engine sounded like a higher gear might make sense), because the viewer cannot 'read' the road ahead as the driver can (and has to).
Also, it is somewhat difficult to judge the actual speed of the rig at any given time - I was quite astonished to hear that you were only going 20 mph at a certain point, it definitely looked faster than that to me.
Yeah, and 75k can make that seem pretty fast on the down hill side too!
20 on that uphill grade was actually pretty amazing. Video is hard to show grade but I was watching the houses out the window behind him and I kind of know that part of the state. That was a steep grade two lane for sure.
Wonderful looking truck and great video talking about the differences with demos. Is a good video to show my co-worker who is getting his CDL.
excellent instructor
Great video! What a beautiful truck and a wonderful way to remember your grandpa.
beautiful old mack
Enjoyed the video Sam. Your Grandfather did a great restoration on the 56 Mack. I believe you have the shifting down pat. Thanks for the video. You take care and God bless.
Sam, to me this is the best UA-cam video that I have ever watched! Keep up the great work! Never meet your grandfather but I believe that he would be proud to see how you continue to take care of his machines and collect your own. Yea I do like that truck, maybe I could catch a ride someday if you have it at Brownsville, I could be your camera man.
This brings back some nice memories ! I learned to drive in my fathers 1956 B61 Triplex in the mid 1970's. I will never forget the smell of that truck with the heater full blast trying to take the cold out of a Wisconsin winter..
Thanks for sharing another great video 👍
Glad you enjoyed watching!
Thanks for the ride truck drivers are special bread good people keep America moving
What a beauty!
You can say that again.👍
Next to our shop was 8 truckers 7 cab overs 1 Mack R series. I
Very young at the time the guy would let drive the Kenworth Cab over 5&4 around in the field. My early teens I got to back it up to a trailer. One I got the hang of it when he would come back from trips or ready to go on a trip. I would hook up or back up and unhook and put the truck in the shop. Lot of fun at that time.😂😂
Thank you!
Beautiful old Mack. We all have those special memories of our grandfathers. Back in the day I drove a IH tandem dump with a 5 and a 3. Most operations today are being forced into automatic transmissions in order to get drivers in the seats. As you know there's a difference between knowing how to make a truck move and really knowing how to drive the darn thing.