I drove Mercedes trucks back in the 80's, they were like the Volkswagen Bug of trucks, super simple and easy to drive. I remember it had a giant steering wheel and an exhaust brake on the floor you hit with the heel of your foot. I kind of liked the trucks, very reliable ran forever.

When Freightliner purchased that division from Mercedes it was all down hill from there.

 

Anybody ever heard of Renault diesels?

 

Im not following what your saying... I dont think that anything offered by dodge even up to the 5500 needs any more than a 6spd.. Yes they may be able to massage the trans a little and change the ratio... But anything more than that is just not needed in my opinion... I wouldnt want an automatic in any diesel I drove.. EVER

 

Yes I have heard of the Renault.. Dont think I have ever heard of one bigger than a 4cyl though....

 

Yeah, they seem to be pretty reliable. Never seen one though, only heard of.

 

Thats for sure... I worked on alot of Mercedes... They were a pain.. One comes in for a fuel filter and oil change... 99% of the other trucks you do it all in one shot... Mercedes the same? NOPE!! Drop the oil and change the filter. Refill oil and you have to start it and let it run.. Turn it off and do fuel filter... Dont forget to remove the fuel cap though or you will be there forever trying to start that POS... I forgot it on 2 different occasions cause I was super busy and was being rushed... The DD-15's are the same way... That and their haunted with oil pan and plug issues..

 

Sounds Freakin Scary.

 

Thats because they stopped importing them back in the 80's I think...

 

Heh before emmissions controls became really tight.

 

If Im not mistaken i think the Renault came in the Winnebago campers... Not sure what else they were in though