How do YOU drive (stick)

[EZGZ]

When I first got my truck I was so darn proud and I used to run in a pack with some other folks pulling our sandtoys across country to the sand dunes. I used to get the biggest kick out of hitting the hills and passe's in 5th gear to see how far I could out-pull everyone without downshifting. It was always a race between everyone with there motorhomes and trucks etc.



I cringe when I think of that now. Every peace of rotating mass has a point of vibration and bad harmonics. I think that most of us ignore it or just pass it off as the sound of power. Maybe just feeling to lazy to downshift and reset the cruise control.

Whatever, I think that this is what takes its biggest toll on our drive-trains.



I now realize that my rig is happy at about 2K RPM and try to leave it there. I don't run with the pack anymore just to match there speed. I run at my own pace and what feels right with my truck. 4th Gear is stronger than 5th and with the 1 to 1 ratio and I use it more even though I could probably make a hill in 5th.



My particular rig has always gone through front driveshaft bearings. My standard cab doesn't't have a carrier bearing in the middle.



The front one is a whopper since I had the 4:11 gears. Last time I decided to have the driveline cut to straighten and rebalanced. It did seem to make a difference but time will tell.



Some guys could wreck a tank in 5 miles. Others could drive the same one around the world.



You guys with automatics can smirk if you want. Let's meet on the top of TETON pass in Wyoming at midnight and see who has the cleanest shorts at the bottom of the hill. (Ether side)

 

[JLEONARD]

Most of the time above 40 mph or so I'm in 5th gear... unless I'm accelerating hard or accelerating up a hill. I figure if I can accelerate when I tromp on it then I'm above the "lugging" point.

I love the sound of a diesel working hard at low to mid range rpm...

I also don't tow and normally don't have much in the bed either.

Jay

 

[dan brooks]

Originally posted by EZGZ

You guys with automatics can smirk if you want. Let's meet on the top of TETON pass in Wyoming at midnight and see who has the cleanest shorts at the bottom of the hill. (Ether side)

Yeah, yeah... rub it in why don't you.



Coming down Monitor Pass (south of Lake Tahoe) on vacation last year - had the cabover on and the truck loaded to around 7700 lbs - was a real eye opener. Really makes me wish I would've bought a later model with a lock-up converter or a 5-speed so I could use an exhaust brake.

 

[EZGZ]

Same thing happen to me on TETON.

My usual route was closed. I wasn't sleepy so just kept on going.

Was about midnight and it is such a peaked summit with no parking that I just kept going.

Down, Down, Down steeper and steeper. I was in 3rd just coasting but gaining speed like crazy. I pumped the brakes and managed to get it in 2nd but was back on the brakes as it wouldn't hold it back. Figured I better get stopped and start from zero. Really had to get on the brakes.

Just sat there on the mountain alone in the dark with no traffic wondering what to do. I tried granny but the engine still wouldn't hold it back. That first time was a real adrenalin rush.



After several more trips I finally got the idea to go into low range without the hubs and 3rd Low seemed to be the ticket. Sure does make folks mad behind you but there just aren't many places to let them by.

That's when you see folks doing the stupid things like passing on blind curves double yellow.

Some Folks Are CRAZY! That pass is so steep that if you pull a trailer up there in the winter they will ticket you on sight. The top 3 miles on both sides is just killer. (the view is nice)

 

[dusthomps]

For the most part I will only downshift when I begin losing speed and I know I won't take the hill in 5th. If I can hold 60 while working the truck, I'll do that. That's when towing, when empty, I'm in 5th at around 45. In general, I'm pretty hard on my truck when towing.





Dustin

 

[bgilbert]

How do I drive stick ? On Teton pass? I was up there once, this is how I descended the pass, trailer in tow, 16,000 gross, -kicked the getrag out of gear, run down the pass with my butt on the steering wheel..... Bill

 

[Grey Wolf]

Fifth gear doesn't get used until 50 here, hauling a load means direct for me up a grade even if it will take it in fifth. Too much torsional vibration has a detrimental effect... ... ... .

 

[JDMills]

I guess I hit 5th around 40-45 mph. Yet I have not managed to correct a long term speedo flaw, so May be I am off.

Didn't I read some where that Cummins states it is ok to run full throttle at any rpm above the peak torque, and for up to ten seconds below it?

I don't pull much, so the truck does not work too hard.

jason

 

[bflood]

On startups I run up the RPMs in each gear. I try not to "lug".



When I'm hauling the hills, with my gooseneck at about 12K# (sometimes more), in 5th, I'll determine shift down by the pre-turbo EGTs. When I hit 1200deg, and still have a lot of hill ahead, I'll shift to 4th. Actually, on the fairly hilly throughways here in CT I still don't have to shift down very often.



If I'm running secondary roads, with lots of hills, I'll often just leave her in 4th. I rarely need to drop to 3rd.



Lugging provides a rumble and groan from the driveline that says . . . "why are you punishing me!", not to mention the EGT's rocket up. I love my truck and shifting feels a lot better than whipping her needlessly.



I have a lot of respect for this truck's "heart" and I feel like I'm just part of the team. Must be what a jockey feels when riding a winning horse. Oo.

 

[MMiller]

I run by the pryo, but also seat of the pants too. In the rolling hills around here, on the interstate I stick it in 5th, set the cruise at 72, and all is good. I can cruise down interstate 80 all the way across Iowa in 5th side by side with semis. On the two lanes if its hilly 4th, very flat 5th. This is all loaded, sometimes up to 25-26,000 lbs gross. I have never towed in the mountains. I have had guys tell me running across Iowa is bad,because of the rolling hills. Late nights on the way home from truck pulls it seems like you're going uphill all night!



Empty I shift when I know I'm above that rumble of the getrag. You guys know the one I'm talking about.



Michael

 

[dpuckett]

You guys running 45-50 in 5th w/ 3. 54s are killing your Gutrags. Or is that the point? NV4500/5600 conversion? ANyway, I wrap her out pretty tight going thru 2-4th gears, but am lazy when it comes to downshifting. I'll run up to about 50-55 in 4th (4. 10s), but will "lug down" to about 45 before going DOWN to 4th; more due to transmission whining and groaning than anything else. Loaded, I'll run a little higher RPMs, unless the pyro tells me otherwise. I've run as high as 62 in 4th running up a hill loaded (67mph top in 4th), before shifting into 5th. Then I just pass the V8s



Daniel

 

[sparks57]

I shift at 2000, everytime... unless I'm racing or pulling a heavy trailer or racing, then I shift right before I run out of fuel (I think 2500, but a new governer will fix that).



Out of second at 18

Out of Third at 32

Out of fourth at 55

And 2krpm for 5th is at 70.



I never use first, but I think 2krpm is 10mph.



I have 3. 54's.

 

[bflood]

Originally posted by CB_Parker

. . . . .

And 2krpm for 5th is at 70.



I have 3. 54's.

Are you sure you have a 3. 54



According to my calculations from your data, you would be 87. 5mph@2. 5Krpm. I have a 4. 11 rear and my top speed is 86mph. Very similar.



Also, if my WOT speed is 86mph with a 4. 11, than a 3. 54 should give you a WOT speed of 99mph. What is your top speed?



I admit I have some tall rear tires (235/85/R16 tires (32. 1" dia. )) but the difference between 30" versus 32" diameter should give me the equivelent of a 3. 85 ratio, unless I've done something wrong with the math. Also, I don't have a tach but I have not cranked up the high end rpm either.



Note: My speedo is calibrated for the "taller" tires.



I can't remember if my NV4500 has a different top end ratio than the GETRAG (which I assume you have?).



Sorry if I have made this sound confusing but than again, I'm confused anyway. Must be the age thing . . . . plus I never get any rwhp awards from the Pastor.



I'm curious,

Bruce

 

[JLEONARD]

Bruce,

At about 70 mph in 5th I am also at about 2000 rpm. I have 3. 54s and was running the same tires as you have... . now I have 265-75/16 tires and my speed/rpm is the same.

And I can hit 100. (I had to crank the gov a scosh to get there)



Oh... and I use 1st gear but not all the time.

Jay

 

[sparks57]

Yeah, the tags on my axles say 3. 54's. I don't have a tach on yet (I have one on hand) but I did that through calculations.

 

[dpuckett]

bflood, how do you get 86 mph out of 4. 10s? I can only get 84 out of mine, floored down a 6% grade. 83 on flat, and I have 5 threads showing on my high idle screw.

I think our trucks are governed from the factory at around 2750 rpm. So CB Parker's speed is about right. I had a 93 2wd that I turned the governor up "just a schos" to get it to 100 in 5th w/ 3. 54s. Doing the math, mine is governed for about 2975. Need the 3200 GSK. How does it sound on the top end with the spring? Mine rattles a bit at higher RPMs.



Daniel