How to TwinStick a Peterbilt

#peterbilt #twinsticks #oldtrucksmatter
On this episode I take LittlebyLittle, my 1979 Peterbilt 359 Project truck that I’ve been building for a little drive and share some details on how a TwinStick transmission works.
I’ve been working on this truck by myself in my driveway since I rescued it from a farmer’s field almost 3 years ago. The truck has a 3406 Caterpillar A-block engine ~400HP mated to Spicer 6 speed main and a 4 speed auxiliary. The differentials are 4:56 ratio which is incredibly low, but fortunately with this double overdrive configuration, I’m still able to roll at highway speeds @ ~1500 RPM
Subscribe for notifications on future episode of this restoration project and the next #ProjectSnowman, a Kenworth W900A tribute truck to the one used in the 1977 classic movie Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason. If you haven’t seen it yet there’s no excuse “Hold up in that carwash gentlemen…”
Note that for some reason KZbin set my channel as made for kids awhile back so if you haven’t been getting notifications, just unsubscribe, re-subscribe and hit the bell to ensure you never miss an episode!
Also, I really want to see where all my global fans are located so when you subscribe to the channel, please let me know where you’re watching from in the comments and we’ll add a pin in the TwinStick Garage world map for you!

[@JT-sz7xc]

Really glad there are people like you who are keeping these old rigs on the road, they have way more class and personality than the new ones, and the sound, oh the sound, sweet! I grew up through the 70’s and 80’s, in Columbus Indiana, home and birthplace of Cummins, my dad worked for them for almost 30 years. When I was in elementary school my dad pulled me out one day so I could go with him and some of his coworkers to the Mid America Truck Show in Louisville Kentucky, what an awesome place for a 11 year old! Love the videos, keep them coming! 👍😀

[@MaclearieFarms]

I learned to drive on a 1971 Diomond Reo c116 it was a 10spd but my favorite truck I learned to drive on is my bosses 74 Kenworth k100 twin stick I’m 16 btw

[@Shane-Singleton]

"My neighbor is behind me in her Volvo. Sure she just LOVES this truck (sarcasm)" *feeds her the Jake brakes* lol

[@mintyman1968]

10:10

[@mintyman1968]

@Henrik yup

[@richardchristow]

It’s actually such a joy seeing you come out with new content I love how humble you are and your patients and doing things proper is what makes your videos amazing I’ve been watching this build since episode one and I’m amazed on how far it’s come every time you upload I gotta tell my wife to get out of the room so she doesn’t bug me while I watch your content keep on trucking good buddy

[@spottedhoss1920]

I've drove lots of twin sticks in the last 44 years, My favorite was a six and 4 in a 78 Kenworth C500 oilfield bed truck, I'm not sure what made it that way but smoothest shifting twin sticks I ever drove.

[@markm0000]

Probably never been reefed on down a hill by a bad driver and properly maintained.

[@iBackshift]

The most smooth shifting sticks I ever drove were trucks that pulled heavy loads (logging 140,000#'s) and the driver used the clutch, albeit barely used it.

[@Daves_adventures4315]

She sure has come a long way! I can only imagine the sense of pride driving her around

[@TwinStix]

Ajax couldn’t take the smile off my face when I drive this thing 😁

[@keepontruckinman4688]

Your not kidding

[@kenni963]

David Cotrell no kidding its like driving a hole new truck

[@mattberg916]

You're a lucky man! Be proud, you've worked hard!

[@michaelhendrickson8468]

I love the music I always like the music in the background too when your working. It really looks great. I’m looking forward to the kenwworth project. You do great work.

[@hommie789]

Only issue is the spinner on the steering wheel, they are a no no in Alberta and a fail for the CVIP FYI. Anything that makes it easier seems to be illegal.

[@struedel25]

They say that about the states. Turns out it's not true. www.suicideknob.net/state_laws.html

[@blu99s]

I hope that Bruce Wilson is watching this video of you driving those sticks. 💪🏼 Keep up the awesome content. 😎

[@truckingwithwim8039]

That must be a great feeling when driving it out on the open roads.

[@gunslinger191]

Well for someone who been just now learning a 6 by 4 your doing a great job , love your channel ... TJ from Oklahoma US

[@danokerr9929]

The sense of pride is ringing. Its contagious. Love the waylon as well.

[@EL_TROKERITO956]

BlackSmokeMatters👌🏼💯 #KeepOnTrucking‼️

[@tanyacrichton6248]

Beautiful. I love how you're hand gently vibrants when it falls into gear.

[@matrix6241]

Not gonna lie I can toss 18 all day but at the end of the day I still want a 6x4 in my garage at some point. There's just something about it that has become a "must own" on my list.

[@MikeBrown-is6bh]

You didn't explain the terminology, balls to the wall. That would be 6th and 4th. Both balls to the dash.

[@darylthisdelle7702]

Mr Twin Sticks, you have taken that 359’er to great heights. It is so nice to see you with your dream, and shifting those tooth picks. I am so jealous, but you put the time in and look at you now, looks good on ya driver... Santa could never say, Twin Sticks and away...

[@robertsimpson772]

Great job. I've only driven a 10, 13, and an 18 speed. My dad was a trucker for 35 yrs. before he passed. I spent lots of time riding shotgun with him and was always trying to learn everything from him. He taught me to float gears. Watching you shift those twin sticks brings back memories. You should be very proud of that truck. The old girl has come a long way from that first video in the field.

[@robsonfiorino6771]

Sê eu entendese inglês, saberia o que você estava falando sobre as trocas de marcha 👍 Infelizmente só sei o português Brasil 🇧🇷👍 Parabéns pelo vídeo mesmo sem eu entender nada😂😂😂✌

[@murielmecm5322]

Bom, basicamente ele disse que o da esquerda são as marchas principais e o da direita são as marchas auxiliares ou "overdrive" Então basicamente tu passa a primeira marcha e consegue "esticar" ela com as auxiliares e assim como todas as outras. O que me deixou surpreso foi que o caminhão não tem embreagem, pode ver q os pés dele não se mexem toda vez q troca de marcha, é realmente interessante um sistema de 6+4 marchas funcionar assim.

[@JamesEDennison]

Is the brakesaver still in it and does it work??, we had an 89 379 with a 425 air to air Cat...opened up a bit... it had a jake and retarder, you could come down the mountain as fast as you went up.. miss that old truck, it's probably 15 Hondas by now

[@aaronm2742]

Awesome video! Thanks on behalf of us "non truckers" who have an interest in trucks and how to drive them!

[@ericparrish1515]

No slipping

[@____tyrael_______3437]

That would be a dissaster for me to use it in European city.. every 50m traffic lights.. God damn .. I would prefere walking than shifting all this gears xD greets from Poland

[@FutureTruckerDennis]

I've watched a bunch of these twin stick 359 videos on youtube, including all of yours and bubbles' among others and this is the first one I've come across that has explained the shift pattern. Thanks for the lesson! Not sure I'd give up my 18 speed though, that adds up to a lot of shifting by the time Friday afternoon rolls around.

[@GOOF2ooo]

Little by little, what a perfect name. Been a awsome journey. Been watching from the start. I'm from sout eastern lower Michigan now far from Ohio boarder.

[@truckerray9634]

I've watched you from the beginning build this truck and I myself can sense the pride you feel everytime you take it out for a drive. I hope you'll have many years of enjoyment from the fruits of your labor. It's a fine machine for sure. I'd just like to make one comment if can, and I mean no offense. You need to lose the steering knob, and here's why. A friend that I taught to drive about 25 years ago put one on his truck, and one night rolling down the highway thru Arizona 12 or 13 years ago he blew a front tire and when it blew that knob damn near took his hand completely off. When he was able to drive again he couldn't get that knob off quick enough. I hope you'll consider the pros and cons, that knob is not a great option. Take care of yourself brother, I'll be following you on the KW, you do great work.

[@raymondbradley6788]

Awesome journey. Been following you since you bought this thing out of that pasture good job brother man good job👍👍👍

[@vernscott3737]

What is the second brake valve on the column?

[@jamesjournell2751]

Hello T.S,,I haven't seen a new post in awhile?

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

Hey, does that horn still work? LOL I'll take the turbo and the Jake over Waylon any day, thanks. Keith-

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear K.F. 👍👌👏 Yeah, you are absolutely right, Sir! Me too, definitely! In this video unfortunately the music was loud for a long time so that neither the engine nor the music was good to hear. After the talking at last the engine and the jakes could be heard for a short while. I usually love all his vids but when it comes to driving his behaviour to put the radio on instantly is always distracting/annoying me. In a video about twin stick shifting at least I want to hear the changing engine sounds. I can hear music all day long afterwards and before. Best regards, luck and health.

[@TwinStix]

chru cas check out an earlier vid “Ride along with TwinSticks” where I had no music and no talk ... just twinsticking 👍

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear @@TwinStix guy 👍👌👏 Thanks for replying, Sir. You definitely know that I like your vids and channel. So please don't get me wrong but I didn't like the video you recommended very much. The camera unfortunately sits way back so that no street and hood can be seen (this is done much better in the current vid). Because of sitting so back, the engine sound is not good to hear also. As always, this is only my opinion respectively personal kind of taste. Best regards, luck, health and wisdom. Postscriptum: I now will watch some of the first videos again because I always like rescuing/saving procedures.

[@wallysworkin823]

How dare you wheel that Pete with a white Apple watch on! That's a good way to lose your man card ;-)

[@TwinStix]

Haha ya I need to get a better band

[@cobhc1986]

Great video, keep those ole twin sticks alive! I'm from down in Georgia, but my wife says I was Canadian in a past life because I find so many awesome channels by Canadians on here lol

[@edthefox5699]

Loving the work on LBL you're doing and she's looking great but I do have a couple of questions Seeing as you are not pulling a load, can you not go through the auxiliary box until you get to 4th then go through the main box until you get to 6th, save all that bother altering two sticks every third gear? Also how far have you driven in her in one go?

[@TwinStix]

Yes you can skip gears when you’re empty for sure ... haven’t gone too far yet as I still need to run new wires to the temp sensors in the trans and rear diffs and replace all the coolant lines

[@thomasnelson2463]

You're not doing it right, I can't hear any grinding. ;-)

[@louiskats5116]

Goodday Twin Sticks, That is pure art in motion, absolute pleasure & now I get it, great lesson easy to understand. Used to drive a International Aussie T-Line Cabover Twin Steer Rigid Tanker. Under powered L10 Cummins about 250Hp with a 20 speed Spicer. Easy to drive once you got the hang of it, gross her out to 30 tons take half a day to get to the speed limited, tough trucking back then. Now days all too easy with Auto Boxes. Real proud of all the hard work & the joy in your voice. Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤

[@monty16288]

Hi where have you been we are missing your great videos hope everything is ok I know you're extremely busy was just worried about you

[@apulbroo]

Home is Ontario Canada but today I’m watching from Bangor ME, USA. Keep on Keepin on.

[@johanankarback6821]

That was a great explanation of how the twin stick gearbox works! How many of the 24 gears do you use in regular driving? I guess a lot of gears are overlapping each other. In my old Scania wich has a 5speed with 2speed auxiliry the 4H and 5L is almost the same so you always go from 4H to 5H when upshifting.

[@hotrodhog2170]

Back in the early 80's the third truck I drove was a '76 KW KT 600 with a 6x4 twin stick and an Aerodyne sleeper. Owner told me that if he ever caught me with both sticks up against the dash that he would boot me out the truck on the spot! I hauled mostly big bins full of scrap metal up and down the east coast. Damn that truck had balls!

[@scottberry5266]

If you had both sticks against the dash ... how could he catch you???? Airplane maybe???

[@martastephens911]

Watching from Crane,Missouri. Brings back some fond memories. Keep up the good work.

[@LEEBO-56]

DAMN-IT BOY..nothing like old school..THANKS for sharing, DESPERADO 56

[@jerrythegaffer]

I'm from the UK and have seen loads of twinstickin vids on KZbin! I've tried to work it out by watching but your demo has cleared up the mystery for me 😁 thanks. Been watching from the beginning looking forward to the next.

[@toto14101]

Love the content ! Since I was a kid I love peterbilts but no one in my family is a trucker so I saving some money to buy my own truck and restore it!! Hahaha thats the easiest way to get my hands on a 359

[@steamgent4592]

I gotta get one of these I miss the Pete's like this my old employer had. Then his kids took over scrapped them all and bought junk modern Def motored garbage with automatics. Had to leave to find a company with manuals but sadly they're not twin sticks Petes I drove for many years. I love going to work again if I had one of these.

[@conwayconway2177]

I love watching this video...lol..hey Mark ✌️🇺🇸🇨🇦...maybe it's Waylon..maybe it's twinsticks...maybe it's both 10-4🤘👊

[@sodapop8408]

You make it look easy 👍

[@redneckgringo]

Awesome build!!! Love the 6&4...guessing the brownie is a progressive shift? Look forward to the next video!!! Had an 85, with KTA600, and a 7&4...sure miss it!!!

[@SteveCarras]

How many of today’s natural gas vehicles (classic virtue signal here in California thanks to the law) even have SIngle stick

[@GoatneckRCC]

Best explanation of a 6 and 4 good job!

[@FDNY8231]

33 Years and I'm used to the 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15 & 18 speeds ... That 6 & 4 would take some getting used to ... I'm a clutch USER always have been. I know HOW to speed shift, but I prefer the clutch for a smoother shift. Nice video, can't wait for the Snowman truck ...

[@isaac3175]

I have a 1969 kenworth with a 5 & 4 , 400 Cummins, thanks for the cool vidja

[@kirkjones9639]

My favorite log truck, was a 379 long nose Pete, with a 3406B Cat, and 4X6 tranny. Smoothist shifting truck, I ever drove. The worst, was a 58 coffin nose Cornbinder, with a 235 Cummins, and 4X5 tranny. That thing was like rowing a boat.

[@dandersonjr]

Thanks for explaining. Always wondered how that worked. The 10 speed in my Autocar Dump is a lot easier.

[@SteyrM1912]

After seeing this vid, I am now a Waylon Jennings fan. Love the progress on this truck, can't wait to see what it'll look like once it's finished!

[@davekimbler2308]

I cut my teeth on a 290 Cummins with a 5/4 twin stick in a cab over freight shaker no power steering and 22.5 tires ! My favorite is the 4x4 Spicer ! Smooth as silk ! With those shifter knobs you can’t single hand shift ( or really hard to ) ! You hear these steering wheel holders complaining about the new equipment ! Let them try a Tri-stick with a ramp once and no power steering on a California stretch and watch them bitch ! Lmao ! SUNNY SIDE UP AND RUBBER SIDE DOWN ! 42 !

[@Chevynuttygarage]

Another great video! Looks like you have the twin sticks figured out, and thanks for shedding some light on the shift pattern. It’s really cool but I like running a 18 speed .Spoiled I guess. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnvelas70]

I knew a guy who owned a 1971 Peterbilt with a 4+4. It didn't have a Jake (they were still proprietary to Cummins). He said a Jake was for folks who didn't know how to use their transmission. Kind of funny, he did log trucking with it. It would be considered underpowered by todays standards.

[@marysoldeeley2218]

I could watch this video 1000 times! :D

[@rongewei3133]

Turn the f@#king music 🎶🎵 off(good 👍 song tho) whilst doing drivin shifting video , , , oh,ok now you did--- good 👍😊 on ya!😊😅😮❤❤

[@terrylbateman4030]

Yes brother trucker I remember when I drove for G&D back in the early 90's and I had a Peter built that had a 425 cat with a 9 speed but 4:11 drives an it wouldn't climb the mountains with out me dropping gears by would fly on flat road

[@nigelhales874]

Great video bud 👍 I like all trucking bing a truck driver class one driver doing Europe and Russia 🇷🇺 from the UK 🇬🇧 I support your channel very much because every thing you were eat and walk 🚶‍♂️ in came out of a truck including beer 🍺 cheers 🍻

[@peresvet2106]

Great video 👍👍👍 love your Chanel From Republic of Moldova, European countries

[@tooez90]

Driving Twin sticks with Waylon on the stereo...awesome

[@mdlipps]

The interior is mint 👌. She keeps getting better and better. Can't wait to see it after a good body and paint job. Thanks for the twin stick run through. I've only ever driven 13 and 18 speeds.

[@Jonseys_Junkyard]

Probably sacrilege, but I like Black Stone Cherry's version better than ol Waylon, but shes a banger none theless. I just got my Synchro CDL last week, so I'm still real new to truckin, but I love all yer videos!

[@andynicoll8566]

Lol first day driving mixer, the training driver wanted me double clutching. I thought shit I'm not gonna get this job so I said I can't do this and I just drove it the way I all ways drove ,no clutch, lol I drove mixer for four years! Drove a tree spade five and four... that was fun.

[@peterbartetzko6596]

Just subscribed 😉 Watching from Richmond NSW Australia 🇦🇺

[@neilaturner]

Glasgow, Scotland here. Love the methodical, unflappable approach you have to getting things done.

[@philmcclelland120]

Really enjoying your channel From Mountlake Terrace, Washington about 20 miles north from Seattle along I 5.

[@cliffbeckwith4019]

Thats pretty cool throwing sticks, rumor has it a legendary driver called the Lettuce King lives up in your area. He built a new truck for himself and of course it has two sticks! I dont know if you follow Smart Trucking, he has lots of stories of the Lettuce King!

[@jorgefonseca9225]

That's a really old school driver 👏 the best ever 👌👍 after 2002 only fucking crap trucks 🤪

[@hoost3056]

Twin sticks and Armstrong steering? Man, you really want that full old school experience!

[@jay600katana]

Clutch is for starting and stopping. 2 sticks is cool for a toy but for running heavy traffic I'll take an 18

[@marksmith801]

Alrighty driver amazing video! I started driving after the twin stick era but I wished that I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one! #keepontruckin 😉👍

[@W900Kamikaze]

I drove the 5=4 and 6=4 way back in early 80's. 5=4 in my 78 KW 900 and 6=4 on my 79 Pete 359

[@deanm4138]

Twin sticking is definitely an art for 👍. I think when you go for your drivers license road test it should be in a twin stick truck, we would definitely have a different class of driver out here no these flip flop wearing, feet on the dash steering wheel holders we’ve got out here now

[@troyturcotte8443]

A month no update. Is thing on? Have i been blocked? Are you ok? Did somthing happen? Whats happening?

[@Blackjack214]

A driver I used to work with told me he was driving an old International twin-stick dumptruck in a quarry one time. Said he was trying to be all professional with his arm through the steering wheel to shift both sticks... and one of the steer tires hit a massive rock and jerked the steering wheel around. He said it felt like it almost ripped his arm off at the shoulder.

[@scottlyman5533]

Thumbs up, if for no other reason than Ol' Hoss on the radio....good sticking as well.

[@randycecil7375]

Can't believe how far the 359 has come. Your doing great job. Good shifting. : )

[@waynelarson1576]

I learned to drive an old Mac grain binder with a 3 x5 and then I got to run a GMC brigadier with a 4 x 6 a good percentage of drivers out there nowadays don't know how to drive what I learned in

[@RodrigoRibeiro-sx2gx]

Hello from Portugal. I really liked your videos. Why don't you use the clutch to change the gears?

[@renthenibba6398]

Hmm i find it odd please im new with trucks but how can u shift without pressing the clutch??? Cause im seing that ur just rocking the shifts but no clutch push??

[@jucabalapiloto]

What a beautiful truck!! Congratulations

[@taganrog5314]

hello write comments on the new video

[@jamesjournell2751]

What happened to u T.S.G,,?? I haven't seen a new video from u in almost a month?

[@jeepnut779]

I'm getting ready to buy a twin stick Can't wait to get it and get it running and driving

[@1990dodge]

my dad always explained havin two transmissions like this: for every gear your auxiliary transmission has, thats how many times you can do each gear in your main transmission

[@dennisternent2974]

No power steering. My KW is the same way. Old trucks. Love em

[@struedel25]

Small note. The gears in the brownie aren't numbered, they're named. Deep under, under, direct and over.

[@etheyp3341]

Great job on the truck I've watched since the start of it and it's great to see somone getting these old trucks back on the road

[@why_do_we_have_to_use_handles]

Only 7 views in a minute, come on people

[@evilwarcow]

What CB radio Make n' model do you have in there?

[@deniseinsocaldeniseinsocal9510]

So much fun watching you rescue and rebuild this rig.

[@chosenone101]

Love what you did in the last 3 years! Beautiful truck!

[@oklifrederick3523]

I'm begging to find an old 379 sitting in the weeds somewhere to restore! Please God allow me to find one

[@donaldharris1763]

Can you tell us just exactly how and what gears you change in twin stick?

[@willb5272]

Johnny Cash Radio starts playing Waylon. Is there anything better

[@CoryCass-xe4no]

Great channel wondering where you get the insurance for the trucks

[@trenchtownrock]

Plus Waylon Jennings.. this is perfect

[@Orefamilylawncare]

Not only can he shift the transmission well he's able to shift the transmission and adjust the camera at the same time