Hey 6 speeders, what your pattern?

[brobeson]

I am the proud new owner of a 3500 HO with the 6speed. I also have the 4. 10 gears.

What/how do you shift yor 6er while empty.

I start in either 2 or 3rd. Some times I go to 4, 5 and 6. Or 2, 4, 6 or ? Man there are a lot of gears.

What is your favorite shift pattern?

TIA

Bob



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2001 3500, SLT+, Green, Tan leather, Duel Power Seats, HO, 6 speed, 4X6, 4. 10, Towing Package, Trailer Tow Mirrors, Camper Package, Sliding rear Window, Jacob’s E-brakes (Dodge), Electric Steps (Dodge), Clarion overhead TC/VCR, In motion satalite, Mud Flaps on all 4s (Dodge) Line-X over the rail bed liner, 20K Reese 5th wheel Hitch with Gooseneck, 30” toolbox and tailgate box. Factory ordered, Picked up on 5-15-01. WOW!

Also have a 1998. 5, 2500, SLT, Red over Driftwood, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10, Light Group, Camper Special group, Convenience Group, Travel Group, Trailer Group, Keyless entry, 5 band EQ and 6 disk changer, 15K lil' rocker 5er hitch, tool box, rail guards, fog/driving lights, wood grain dash. (truck is 4-Sale)

 

[roadranger]

I've got the 3. 54's, and I go through ALL 6
every time- just love listenin' to that Cummins while slickin' through the gears! #ad


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Deezul Doug- 01. 5 2500 QC 4x4 LB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 anti, Tow/Camper group, Westin SS
Step Bars, relocated breather, Autometer Pyro (pre), and 35 psi boost gauges,
EZ w/elbow.

Tow #1 - 6x12 Interstate inclosed cargo trailer.
GVW 7500
Tow #2 - Starcraft camper trailer
GVW 4500

2001 Volvo S80T twin turbo

 

[SLVRBLT]

I've got the 3:54's. I normally start in 2nd and use all of them as I like to hear the ole straight pipe talk to me. I use 1st gear if starting on a steep incline or when pulling something. If heading downhill I occasionally skip a gear or two. I have a brother-in-law who drives his own 18 wheeler and he said when he saw my truck, "too bad you could only get 6 gears".
Dave

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2001 2500 HO 6spd QC LB 4x4 SLTPLUS All options except Snow Plow and Clearance Lights - Rhino Liner,Straight Exhaust, 90 Gal. American Toolbox/Tank Combo
'95 Harley Low Rider, Crane cam, S&S Super E, Samson 2" drag pipes

 

[Pete Peterson]

I start off in 2nd unless I'm loaded over 10,000 lbs on a trailer then I will use 1st. But have tried taking off with a 13,000 lbs tractor out back in 2nd and it was no problem at all, but I use 1st when loaded I just wanted to see how hard it would be to more the tractor #ad
#ad
... ..... Pete

Oh yeah, I've got the ETH/DEE with 4:10's

[This message has been edited by Pete Peterson (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[Wiredawg]

Like some of the rest, I start in 2nd most of time; sart in 1 going up incline or pulling 15K lb 5er. I never skip gears though.

Boy, this thing is fun to drive! #ad


Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover,Psycotty Air.

[This message has been edited by Wiredawg (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[TboneMan]

Start in 2nd usually then go through all the gears.

I use 1st when on a grade or in heavy traffic at a stop light (creeping).


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2001. 5 2500 4x4,QC,LB, 6 months old 23,000 miles, ETH/DEE, SLT+, Agate Leather, Flame Red, Towing and Camper Groups, Clearence Lights, ARE CX Series Fibergalss cap.

 

[ReggieRam]

Like most of the rest, I start out in 2nd. I use 1st when I'm starting on a hill, towing, or just want to be extra loud driving out of my neighborhood. Gotta let the neighbors know I'm up in the morning!

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2000 3500 QC 4x4, 6 Speed, 4:10, LSD, Raider cap, Carpet kit, Spray-in liner, K&N Filter. "OBNOXIOUS BEAST"

 

[rob10858]

some of the most helpful advice that ive seen regarding the six speeds is to keep your foot lightly on the gas when shifting. it took a little time but, whether loaded or empty, iv noticed a much smoother shift when doing this. its like some of the old dump trucks with splitters that ive driven, rpms have alot to do with smooth shifting with stiffer transmissions. ive read alot about the "gear clash" problemns that some are experiencing, and think that this has alot to do with it. anyone that has ever driven a manual trans that has lost its clutch knows what im talking about. i tried to baby our 2001. 5,s at first when shifting and had the same clashing problem, but after getting use to the new shift patterns vs our older 5 speeds find that the six speeds are much more tempermental than what we were used to before. i hope that this is due to a heavier clutch system than was used before. its probably not as heavy as we all would like to see, but lets give these new trannies a chance. our 6500 gmc's six speed is exactly the same, if your rpms arent just right, its a pain to shift.

 

[Runaway]

3. 54 gears.

Depending on mood, either 2, 3, 5, 6 or
2, 4, 6 when empty. Using all six with 5ver and boat behind.


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"01" Forest Green QC/LB ETH/DEE,4x4, 3. 54LSD, VDO (boost, pyro) Westin SS Nerf Bars and Grill Gaurd, Delta tool box, K&N.
00 28' Jayco 5th Wheel, 86 "Classic 16" Alumacraft, 00 Honda Rancher
Towing with a slight "edge" on the competition!

 

[Oasis-3]

Just take the muffler off put down the pasanger side window and shift them gears #ad
#ad
#ad

I use 2nd to start most of the time.

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2001. 5 Black Sport 4x4 Q-cab 6-Speed HO,3. 54 - K&N RE-0880 & 25-0880 - Towing & Camper Packages - Real Backup Lights - Fog Lights - Windows Fixed - Phord 4 Door Nurf Bars - Leveling Kit - CB - Electric Brakes - Class 3 Hitch on front - Cat & Muffler fell off - 285/75/R16 Interco Trxus 10 ply tires

 

[Ed Sigman]

4. 10 gears

I start in 2nd except when hauling the fiver


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2001. 5 3500, H. O. , 6 speed, 4. 10, ISSPRO Pyro and Boost gauges, K & N air filter, VA, BD exhaust, Bosch 275 injectors, PS boost module and elbow. Tow 14k lb. 5er. Semper Fi.

 

[Windrider]

I start in 1st or 2nd empty.

1st is fun.

Just as everyone gets impatient because your pulling out so slow, you hit 4th and move out.

Besides - I only get to tow on vacation. So starting in first makes me think of going on a trip!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

1st is fun.

I agree! #ad

 

[Diesel Freak]

loaded... . I start in 1st and use all of the gears
empty..... start in 2nd when on the flat, I sometimes go 2,4,6

Racing..... 2,4,5,6 #ad


[This message has been edited by cdaledh (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[jmeehan]

Usually I'll start in 2nd unless in traffic or on a hill.
I've played with skippping gears and a new one I found is to really rev it in first then go to 3rd. I'll do this if a first gear start is called for but really want to get moving.

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ex Ford tech, now driving Patriot Blue '01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54. Muffler, silencer ring & door badges N/A.

 

[jstyer]

I start in 2nd except when on steep hill or pulling 5th wheel.

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'01. 5 2500 QC 155"WB, White, 4x4, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 LSD, SLT, All power, Trailer , Plow Prep and Camper Special Group, Keyless Entry, Flip-up Towing Mirrors, Lund Window Deflectors and Running Boards, Profile Plus Bug Shield, Century raised top cap, PacBrake,Banks Git Kit, Banks pyro & boost guages and VDO fuel pressure guage, 35 foot Hitch Hiker 5th wheel.

 

[Skibby]

I start out in second gear when empty,an go through the gears from there,when I'am towing my fifth wheel I start out in first gear,running 4:10's

 

[Charles Wheeler]

I think rowing through the gears is fun #ad
so I start out in 1st unless I want to spin the tires, or am racing.


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2K1 3500 4x4 SLT+ QC ETH/DEE, silencer ring AWOL, Isspro hour meter, Line-x liner, EGT, and boost gauges.
213HP @ 2500, 470 ft-lb @ 2200
Soon to come: BOMBing stuff

 

[RAMalama]

brobeson-
I've only had my truck a week. Just like my 95 5spd I start in 2nd and row away. Dang that's a lot of shifting! 4:10's sure don't get you anywhere in a hurry (just like the 95). Finally getting the fith wheel hitch installed tomorrow (it's still Friday in CA). I'm driving mine exactly(sp) like Wiredawg. Packman hit it right on as well. I read that some where in the trucks literature.
R/ Ian.

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2001 2WD Quad Cab HO 6speed 4w disc brakes. Less than 1500 miles. Bought 18MAY01!!! 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Truck is completely stock so far...

 

[MikeR]

Just like the rest,I usually start off in 2nd unless I'm startinf off uphill,towing or making a sharp right turn. But here's what I wind the RPM's up to for shift points:
1st-2500
2nd-2500
3rd-2500
4th-2300
5th-2100 into 6th

-Mike