Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) shifting without clutch

[brandonwhite]

How many of you do this? It is fairly easy to do if the rpms are right and I get no grinding. I know the big rigs do it but I was wondering if it is ok to do in our trucks.

 

[UKRugbyman77]

Second Hand Info

Seems like I read a post on this when I first got my CTD. My buddy drives a Big Dog Pete and he was telling me how he (and I as well) could shift my truck w/o using the clutch. He proceeded to do so, with no problem, but my Dad tells me (as well as what I read on the forum) that our trannies may not be ready for this kind of shifting. I don't know the specifics, but seems like the boys on the forum came to the conclusion "It ain't good" no matter if you can do it w/o grinding or not.

So I figure why chance it.

 

[DSell]

I have shifted my 2k 3500 six speed without the clutch for 65000 miles now with no problems. Think about all the moving parts yu are not using when you do it. I also pull a 13,500 lb. trailer and always shift without the clutch in it to.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I have to have someone show me how??? I have shifted big rig for years no clutch except to start off or go in reverse. While most of the time can do my 6 speed not consistantly and for the life of me cannot figure why?:{ Big discussion on here about this and almost all decided not good to do it with a few exceptions. I now use clutch rather than chance it as clutch cheaper than transmission for the biggest reason. Sure a few will disagree but oh well it is a free world right?:-{}

 

[Ross]

Clutchless

I used to shift my NV 4500 clutchless all the time. I have learned on this board, however, that it damages the sychronizers. Big rig trannies don't have synchros, and are designed to be shifted without the clutch. Ours, however, are not. Standard transmission has said the same thing. When I heard all this, I stopped doing the clutchless thing. It's fun, but I didn't want to chance it.



No matter, though. My NV4500 took a c#@p anyway. In fact I'm removing it for the new replacement tonight. Just came in for dinner.

 

[GiesJ]

I asked a similiar question some time ago - here's the post:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=41331&highlight=clutchless

 

[WadePatton]

I can do it. And have to see if the big ol six would and to show my girlie that it could be done.



I don't do it on a regular basis. It's all about rpm matching.



And I've seen many folks to much more damage to their trannys WITH the clutch, than I've done without.



It's not for the ham-fisted.

 

[JyRO]

Clutchless...

I figger the clutch is a big waste. I don't use it. When I shift from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th, I put my left foot on the throttle, hold it to the floor and use my right foot/leg to get a good hard speed shift to the next gear. It works great! Dodge just put clutches in there to increase their profitts.



Also, before I come up to a stop I pull it out of gear so it'll idle. Then as I get ready to go, I floor the throttle and just shove the shifter to 1st or 2nd. The transmission loves it, its just a little hard on tires always leaving with a burnout like that. Cops don't care for it either.



If a cop is around, I pull it into neutral before stopping. Then I shut the engine off, put it in gear and use the starter to get the thing rolling. Never used the clutch once. The transmission loves it.

 

[lschultz]

Don't you fellows know that you are not driving a 18 wheeler Keep it up. Its your$$$$$:{ :{

 

[E7mack96]

Well, I also have about 58-59,000 miles on my RIG and do not use the clutch. I drive big trucks, so I know how to float the gears. If my NV5600 dies because of this, then so be it. I have an 8LL just dying to be put in there anyway.



On a second thought, With peters' con FE costing what it does, It is not too much cheaper to replace the clutch, as compared to the rebuild. (based on self doing repairs)

 

[pkennedy]

I drove big rigs for years also and the fact that 70% dont use it in the big truck doesn't prove it right or wrong. Lets go to the differences, a NV5600 has synchro's which in the very exception of perfect RPM/wheel speed match without the clutch disengaged the little brass synchromesh teeth take all the pressure. As long as you own the truck and drive without clutching and don't break anything who cares, however if somebody was to drive the truck not knowing how to shift clutchless and match the RPM's exactly it will cause gear clash. This is something to keep in mind when you go down to trade in or sell off. The big truck transmission is a little different in that there are 2 countershafts inside to carry the torque load on the gear teeth surfaces which are timed, when shifting gears clutchless there are no synchro hubs to carry through. Thus being said if everything is lined up it will shift like a swiss watch, down side to all this is the input shaft will eventually get a groove worn in it and the clutch discs (2) will bind on the input shaft when using tthe clutch to start and back up. Engines that jake constantly like log trucks will show wear the fastest as the torque is pushed to the extreme each way (full power pulling to all power braking). Super truckers that Jakeshift when going through the gears without clutching will increase this on/off torque load exponentially causing clutch disc failure,U joint failure and motor mount failure. These are the facts and each of us may spend our money as we see fit with our own equipment, there is a cost to misuse/abuse. PK

 

[fbaurley]

I am somewhat transmission illiterate, but if the big trucks dont have syncronizers, then I think it would be harder or just as hard to shift them with the clutch, then without. I am just using my experince, from clutchless shifting of antique tractors, which dont have synchronized trannys. Or is the setup in a semi similiar to that of any Atv or dirt bike, with a manual clutch, because you can usually (once moving) shift them fairly easily without the clutch.

 

[drifter]

I had a 76 landcruser with a Chev. 350 and NV4500 behind it and "floated" the gears for many miles with no problems.

One trick, or common since it not to force it. Just slip in in at the sweet spot, if there is any resistance then use the clutch. It takes a while to find the sweet spot to shift and some practice but does help releive some shifting stress. It works and its not a bad thing to learn how to do. If your clutch fails (when it fails) this trick might help you get from "Prefection" Nevada to a dealer or home.