Clutchless Shifting

[Archive]

What is everyone's opinion of clutchless shifting? I have heard of a few folks that said they do it like you do in the big rigs, so yesterday I decided to give it a try for the fun of it. It shifts fine, no grinding etc. but wondered if the 5 speed would hold up if I kept doing this. Comments?

------------------
David
1998 3500 QC 4x4 5 speed 4:10 235-85-16 K&N air filter. Emerald Green w/tan leather. B&W turnover ball.
1999 Exiss 3 horse slant, 4ft midtack, 6ft shortwall dressing.

 

[Archive]

Why?

------------------
97 Ram 2500 4x4 Driftwood 5spd 3:54 E-brake Isspro,boost&pyro guages

 

[Archive]

I do it often, for 2 reasons:
1) It's fun.
2) With a lot of driving around town, stop & go traffic, that left leg gets a workout. Nice to give it a break.

------------------
Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T Quad Cab 4x4, 24-valve, 5-speed w/open 3. 54, White over Driftwood, Fog Lamps, Air Dam, Agate leather with most options.
245/75/16 Kelley Safari MSRs on M/T Classics, DeeZee running boards, diamond tread bedrail & tailgate protector.
52,580 miles (12/4/99) 16-17 City & 18-20 Highway MPG

Total RAMification

 

[Archive]

I tried it too a few weeks back,and there is a definite knack to it. After a few days of doing it I really don't care for it. In our traffic your always speeding up and slowing down etc-etc,so you need the clutch for downshifting and sometimes speed shifting. I figured,ahh-what a waste of time,besides I like the "velvet soft" clutch in this rig. The clutches in my Honda Accord and even the Geo Metro were much harder than this truck.

-Mike
PS-My left leg and right arm always feel lame and useless when I'm driving my auto-trans '94 Mustang convertible.

------------------
99 QC2500 4x4,5spd,LWB,
LSD,3. 54,Amethyst,Agate, SLT,Fogs,Camper,Trailer, Slider,MidlandCB,2wd-low,
Smittybilt bars,Y2k alloys,Straight pipe 3",6-disc Clarion changer, No silencer ring.

Disciple of BOMB
"RATTLE & HUM"

 

[Archive]

Hi All, For me clutchless shifting is like sex, I do it once in a while. I figure there are so many pushes of the pedal built into the clutch disc and every time I don't use the clutch I'm saving one more for later on. Hopefully, the one I save might be the one that gets me home. Lou

------------------
99,2500,QC,6speed,3. 54 LSD,long bed,Line-X

 

[Archive]

Clutchless shifting... .
After reading the thread the other day I tried it a few times. Clearly it does take some practice.
I don't think I will make it a full time practice but I will continue to do it from time to time.
If I really get good at understanding the timing issues than I must be taking a ton of stress off the clutch when I do use it.
If nothing else, if you believe that variety keeps you from falling asleep at the wheel it clearly falls under the variety category. .

------------------
99QC 2500 SB 4x4 5spd most options except seat upgrades, thermostat controlled AC cab&engine heaters

 

[Archive]

I do it mostly out of habit from driving larger trucks in a past job. No other reason. I don't do it all the time and I don't really even think about it. It hasn't seem hurt anything. My last truck went to 190k before I had to replace the clutch. Never had any transmission problems during the 275k miles I owned it.



------------------
98. 5 2500 QC LB 4x4 5spd, white. BFG 285x75x16
Cummins 24v w/ TST PowerMAX w/EGT and Boost gauges on A-Pillar.
SnugTop, JJ Stainless Running boards, Tow Hooks, Bushwacker Street Flares

 

[Archive]

I to drove truck in a former job. Most of the truck drivers I know do not use a clutch. We all use them to start, but after that I don't use it unless I have to. I can shift vary fast without the clutch, I can shift up or down. I think it's up to the driver and whatever they want. Drive the way you like to, remember - differant strokes for differant forks. Just my idea. Gary

 

[Archive]

Thanks a bunch to all that responded. I too used to do this in the big trucks but it has been a long while since then. I had never tried to do it with the Dodge until the other day when I saw someone mention it on another board. I can up or down shift but was concerned if the NV4500 could handle it without hurting the transmission.

For the guy that asked why? For fun and if you match road speed to rpm it will slide in gear very easily. I figured if it doesn't hurt the transmission it will help the life of the clutch. I am not willing though to sacrafice the transmission for the clutch, hence the question.



------------------
David
1998 3500 QC 4x4 5 speed 4:10 235-85-16 K&N air filter. Emerald Green w/tan leather. B&W turnover ball.
1999 Exiss 3 horse slant, 4ft midtack, 6ft shortwall dressing.

 

[Archive]

I use to do it in an older ford, along with big trucks. I have stopped for the most part since being told that the pick up trannys can have synchronizer problems from not using the cluth. I still catch myself sliding it out of gear ocassionly. old habits are hard to break.
Larry

------------------
Ram Rod
'96 2500 club cab 5speed 4x4 3:54 pacbrake combo gauge and most all factory options
35' holiday rambler 5th wheel

 

[Archive]

I e-mailed R. Patton on this a while ago and he said always use the clutch. It does shift smoothly though. But I have since stopped doing this pratice.

------------------
97 2500 4x4 NV4500 NV241HD 4. 10's posi CC every heavy duty option available,Reese 15k 5th wheel,turbo silencer removed

 

[Archive]

SHIFTING WITH OUT THE CLUTCH CAN BE DONE --BUT IT IS NOT WITH OUT COST. I HAVE DUE TO POLIT BEARING FAILURE(LOCKS INPUT SHAFT TO CRANKESHAFT)HOW EVER IF YOU THINK IT CAUSES NO WEAR TO YOUR INTERNAL PARTS(THOSE LITTLE BRASS COLORED ALINEMENT THINGIES YOU ARE ONLY FOOLING YOUR SELF. MATCHING RPM'S AND GEAR ALINEMENT WITH OUT RAKEING IS TRICKY.
WHEN MY PIOLT BEARING LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET GO (ENTERING PA TOLL BOOTH,WHILE BEING CUT OFF AND HAD TO CHANGE LANE'S AT THE LAST SECOND -THEN NO RELEASE OF THE CLUTCH)
HAD TO SHUT OFF ENG TO STOP AND PAY TOLL. PUT TRUCK IN 1ST HIT THE KEY AND OFF WE WENT.
GLAD THE WIFE WASN'T BEHIND THE WHEEL. FINISHED THE 60 MORE MILES AND RETURNED 600+ MILES BACK TO IND, TIMED THE LIGHTS AND TOLL'S AND MADE THE REPAIRS.
SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH ONLY IF NEEDED AND SAVE YOUR GEARS. $$$$.
WATCH FOR POST ON PILOT BUSHING.
96-3500 LOADED LOOKS GOOD AND WORKS 680K +
MILES