Proper Shifting of a Hand Shaker

[Rebel_Horseman]

OK I feel extremely ignorant for asking this one so asbestos underwear are on.



I've had diesels before, and I've had standard trannies before. I've never had a manual diesel so I'm kinda new to this. I had a Mustang with a 5-speed and I shifted it OK I guess. What's the best way to get decent life out of my clutch? When getting started, should I let off the clutch totally before I give it any go juice or is it OK to give a little go to it and then come off the clutch. The reason I'm asking is because the truck "bucks" a little when I'm letting out the clutch in reverse or 1st as I'm slowly moving (without any go pedal at all). Just want to make the truck, and especially the clutch, last as long as possible, at least until I can afford a SB or something to go along with the power upgrades I anticipate.



Reb [><]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I just let out the clutch then give it throttle. I Never give it throttle then let out the clutch. With a gasser you have to hit the gas then engage clutch or it will stall. The Cummins has so much low end torque you don't need to slip it.



When I changed my clutch at 120,000 miles it still looked almost new. It just couldn't hold the bombed torque anymore.

 

[C. Harlan]

With my 6BT, I let out the clutch, lug it to ~400, and mash it full throttle for smoky takeoffs, or just let off the clutch, then gas it for hazy takeoffs. No such thing as a clean takeoff!!



-Chris-

 

[SRadke]

There's no need for throttle when releasing the clutch unless you're pulling, or going uphill or something. A little throttle is ok but keep the rpm's down under 1000 and you're clutch will last a long time.

-Scott

 

[Hemiless]

Don't use the clutch

Let the clutch out to get you going then just shift without it.

I usually only use the clutch for down shifting once I get rolling as it can be a little harder to get the rpm right for smooth meshing of the gears. Dad and I have 167,000 miles on his 96 4x4 3500 5spd plumbing truck and I have 32,000 ++ mile on my 02 HO 6spd driving this way.



It is really easy to drive the CTD this way after a little practice.

 

[nickleinonen]

Re: Don't use the clutch

Originally posted by Hemiless

Let the clutch out to get you going then just shift without it.

I usually only use the clutch for down shifting once I get rolling as it can be a little harder to get the rpm right for smooth meshing of the gears. Dad and I have 167,000 miles on his 96 4x4 3500 5spd plumbing truck and I have 32,000 ++ mile on my 02 HO 6spd driving this way.



It is really easy to drive the CTD this way after a little practice.

just as a side note, clutches are much cheaper/easier to replace than trans syncro's...

 

[RustyJC]

"Floating" gears (i. e. , clutchless shifting) is fine for Class 8 rigs which use transmissions without synchros. The NV4500 and NV5600, however, do use synchros, and any speed mismatch, no matter how slight, has to be taken by the synchros when shifting clutchless. It's your truck, do as you wish, but I never shift without the clutch.



When we're towing our 36' 5th wheel, we're at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 GCWR). The only option when taking off is to ease out the clutch at idle - the ECM won't let the engine stall. Once it's fully engaged, roll into the throttle. If I try to rev it and then let the clutch out, it goes into a bucking frenzy.



Rusty

 

[Hemiless]

No clutch No snychros 168000+ miles

No clutch No snychros and No worn-out and tired left leg w/168000+ miles on dads 5 spd. It's been shifted without its clutch since new. So as stated above to each his own.











Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Hohn]

The BUCKING you're experiencing is because 1st and reverse have such low ratios.



You need to let the clutch out very quickly when starting in first or reverse. There's no need to slip it-- the ratios are very low. I always start in first. Just let the clutch out quick, and get into the fuel as soon as you feel it grab.



The bucking happens because you are alternating between engine braking and acceleration. If you just bring the engine up to 1500 rpm or so (once you are moving), you will find that it goes away.



You want long trans life? Always start in first, and always use the clutch.



Justin

 

[CNichols]

On a friends new (new to him) 99 QC 4x4 5spd it seems pointless to use 1st gear at all. It barley even gets you moving, he just starts it out in 2nd gear. It doesnt take any trottle to get it moving even in 2nd gear. Is this wrong? The truck has 225's on it for tires so im sure that helps with the starting in 2nd.





Also is it bad to lug the truck around in a high gear at low speeds?

 

[Hohn]

I personally wouldn't load the engine below 1000 rpm. Lugging is technically when you give the engine more load than it can handle. If you can accelerate out of it, then you aren't lugging it. That said, I wouldn't make it a habit to apply heavy load at very low rpm. IOW, if you find yourself at low rpm in a higher gear, you can probably accelerate out of it if you are gentle on the fuel pedal.



If you keep the RPM over 1300 or so, you shouldn't have to worry about anything.



As for the 225 tires, I am sure than helps the second gear starts. Remember that the 5-speed has a smaller clutch than the 6-speed does, so I would be extra easy on it.



jlh

 

[CNichols]

Thanks for your input.

 

[midwestdually]

Re: Don't use the clutch

Originally posted by Hemiless

Let the clutch out to get you going then just shift without it.

I usually only use the clutch for down shifting once I get rolling as it can be a little harder to get the rpm right for smooth meshing of the gears. Dad and I have 167,000 miles on his 96 4x4 3500 5spd plumbing truck and I have 32,000 ++ mile on my 02 HO 6spd driving this way.



It is really easy to drive the CTD this way after a little practice.

please explain this magical process