Manual shifting

[WyattEarp]

Now don't laugh, i am a farm boy and have been on a tractor since i was 5, during the mid 90's i had a ford thunderbird with the 5 speed transmission, it has been awhile since i changed a gear or two in a automobile i just wondered if i was doing it correctly with the Getrag/Cummins combination... is there a certain mph you should shift to each gear i think i have it down but going from second to third seems a litte awkward, maybe its just me and i need to let it ease into third gear... the transmission is quiet as a mouse and no abnormalities of any kind exist i just want to make sure i don't end up causing a problem by my shifting.

 

[MMiller]

I can't tell you the mph, but you will extend the life of your getrag if you don't "lug" it. At a certain rpm in each of the upper gears, mainly 3,4,5, there will probably be a growling, if you lay into her pretty good at a low rpm. That noise is not a good one to be making alot.



As far as easing her into 3rd. I'm the wrong guy to ask, as in certain conditions, my getrag gets those nice crisp 3rd gear tire chirps when shifting from 2nd off the stop lights. :-laf I suppose one day I will pay for that, but it sure gets people doing this .



Michael

 

[WyattEarp]

Thanks MMiller, yeah i know that trying to wind one up to much taking off in 1st gear isn't good, yeah my dad told me to not let it lug at all so i guess pops was correct on that one, like i said its been awhile of course their is a big difference between the 86 T-bird 5 speed and the 92 250 cummins with 5speed... since this truck doesn't have a built in tach its sort of hard to tell as all i been able to go by is the speedometer



so far this has been my shifting patter by the speedometer(in this general area)



1st- 0-10 there abouts

2nd- 10-20mph

3rd- 20-30

4th- 30-40

5th- 40/45-50+

Now take in mind that just listening to the transmission you can just about tell when to shift so these bumbers could be off alittle - or +

 

[MMiller]

I never use first, unless I need to go slow, or am pulling my trailer. Its too short for anything else. Next time I take a ride, I'll pay closer attention to were I shift. I never had a manual with a tach until I got a 440 powered truck. I always learned to shift on how the individual engine/trans/truck/ load worked the best. I do know that 4th gear pulls to about 70 mph in my truck, and 5th runs about 95+mph. :-laf



Michael

 

[Paychk]

Why start out in 1st. ? I only use that gear when towing, all else looks fine. I too have noticed 2-3 is a little hesitant, especially if I run the engine out till it hits the defuel point.

 

[Wiredawg]

It's worth it to get a Tach

I shifted my truck just fine by sound and feel before I put a tach in my 93, but the tach is really nice to keep her in a good power range.



Wiredawg

 

[Wiredawg]

It's worth it to get a Tach

I shifted my truck just fine by sound and feel before I put a tach in my 93, but the tach is really nice to keep her in a good power range. I usually shift around 2,000 to 2,200 RPM.



Wiredawg

 

[jrjuday]

Sounds to me like the "Time to upshift" light is not coming on in your dash... . common problem with these old beasts!! You might try what I call "The Greenleaf Method. " First, you mash the go pedal, then monitor the rear view mirror. When large objects start to become visible through the exhaust/tire smoke it is time to bang another gear!!! Seriously, though, it's all a matter of "feel". Like the other guys said, don't lug it. Let the Cummins rev up until it gets into that "comfort zone" where it's not working hard to accelerate and its time to shift.

 

[WyattEarp]

Thanks Miller, yeah i only use first taking off on a steep grade, i was using the 0-10mph as a reference when i have to take off in first gear.

I had no idea there was a shift light on the dash, hmmm probably a bulb gone out, my left turn signal when headlights are on is out, so it could be a bulb problem.

 

[MMiller]

I had no idea there was a shift light on the dash, hmmm probably a bulb gone out, my left turn signal when headlights are on is out, so it could be a bulb problem.

Oh boy, here we go... . :-laf... ... jr, you going to tell him or me? :-laf



Michael

 

[jrjuday]

Yikes!!! Hope Pastor Bob doesn't see that I'm misleadin' the flock. I think that's a 15 RWHP penalty. I'll just plead innocent by virtue of senility. Maybe that was my '72 Toyota Corona that had the "shift" light... . But, IF they had put a shift light on our trucks, I'm sure most of us would ignore it even if it still worked.

 

[WyattEarp]

I didn't know if they have one or not, im unfamiliar with the 92, on my '00 i know every nook and cranny of her... since im new to the 12V truck mostl likely im going to be open minded to just about anything until i learn about the workings of this truck, which means if you guys tell me there is a shift light on the dash im going to believe you cause i want to know all i can a bout this truck.

 

[rlyons]

Wyatt, You gotta watch these guys as they will pull your leg. :-laf It is all in fun though and we will help you in any way we can. It has been said here that there are no stupid or dumb questions only if you don't ask them. These guys will do anything for fellow members without looking for anything in return. There is no shift light however on our trucks and it would be useless if it were there. I shift at about 2000 RPM and you will get the feel when your engine is loafing. If you hear a growl from the transmission you are running in too high a gear or shifting too soon. Here are the recommended minimum speeds from Dodge.



3. 54 Axle 4. 10 Axle

5 MPH in 1st gear 4 MPH

10 MPH in 2nd gear 9 MPH

20 MPH in 3rd gear 17 MPH

30 MPH in 4th gear 26 MPH

45 MPH in 5th gear 40 MPH



Anything below these speeds will result in clutch and transmission noise and possible damage. Hope this helps.

Roy

 

[WyattEarp]

Thanks Roy, well i thought i had a 50/50 chance my leg was getting pulled but thought hmmm might be worth asking since im new to the 12V and the 5speed, Yeah those numbers seem about right where im shifting so i must be doing it right then, like i said i just recently started watching the speedometer and i figured i was in those general areas between shifts.

Yeah the guys have been great, Cerberusiam has helped alot especially yesterday, i still need to go and torque my axle bolts to 70ft lbs, i guessed and went with 40 then had to leave before he got back with me on those torque numbers so i wasn't to far off.

I got to call Borgeson today and have that steering shaft ordered, i was looking at the bolts where the 2 steering shafts meet, are those a star socket type bolt head? And i think i have my back shoes adjusted at least to where i can get some time and have them looked at, i didn't have a socket big enought for the axle nut mine went to 2" and its bigger than that.

 

[JLEONARD]

Well I'm a member of the "start off in first gear sometimes" club. It is great for effect and to give that sleeper illusion when you're next to or in front of something (fill in your own blank) that you might need to surprise. It makes launching in 3rd gear really impressive... a cloud of smoke and the WTF look.

But that's only sometimes.





I like to hit 5th at 40 or 45 only if I'm not pulling a hill... then I'll add about 5 to that so she doesn't growl too much.



Axle nut is 2 9/16. I think you can use a 12 pt socket on the steering shaft bolts you referenced.

 

[PToombs]

You're supposed to shift at 2000? I always shift when I run out of powerband, 2800 or so. I can't use the Greenleaf method because I run out of gear before smoke The tires aren't supposed to chirp going into 3rd? Could this be why I only get 12 mpg?

 

[rlyons]

Yes you can use a 12 point socket on the shaft bolts. The rear axle takes a special socket with rounded corners to fit inside the hub. I bought a set of them a while back from Harbor Freight I think. If I am playing around I will shift at or near the defuel point but regular driving I shift around 2000 rpm. That may change when I get the 3200 rpm governor spring installed.

 

[WyattEarp]

Well i have found the sweet spots on her to shifting from second to third, from 18-20mph i shift into third with no problems and its as sweet as music going into third gear. . On the down shift from 4th to 3rd at around 35mph or below she shifts smooth as silk. Now that winter has started im having to relearn driving with the 5speed but im learning quickly what to do and What NOT to do LOL

 

[DieselBuzz]

I know I'm late on this but "the Greenleaf method" :-laf LMAO!

 

[TKingsbury]

If I'm wide open, I just look at the boost gauge. When the boost peaks and starts to drop, I shift. Of course my truck is still stock, so this won't work for some.

Travis. .