Who cares how old thread is? It's still on the board to be read and if warranted, replied to.
Like AATBS, I'm an old dude that started out with armstrong steering, 5X4, 4X4, 4x5, meager barefoot diesels that could barely chug up the hill, but go like hell downhill. Tube type tire were a nightmare. When you got a flat, the tube would ball up inside the tire and destroy it. When tubeless Budds came down the pike they were great. Steering became air assisted. (I sure don't miss that) Binders came out with an air ride cab, Paccar with torsion bars.
So many improvements to the Class 8 truck over the years and like was noted, improving daily to a strong degree. When something new comes out, you have to work it in the real world to be able to know how it will perform. A test track is NOT the real world. School boys/girls, that get in, push the 'D' button and stomp it to the floor is the real world. Trying to rip the cab off of the frame is the real world.
Although I still hate the newer autoboxes, the Allison can't be beat. Like driving an 80,000 pound car. No jumping around trying to back into the dock, no cab jerking when under full forward load, just a smooth full powered take off. YMMV
