Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) speed shifting

[Wyomingcowboy]

I am able to smoothly shift at around 2200 rpm. I can also down shift if I rev up around 2500 rpm. What are the down sides to speed shifting my transmission like a big rig? It is kinda fun sometimes, but mostly my lazy A** gets tired of pushing in the clutch 500 times for a short drive across town.

 

[NKenny]

I slip shift everything. I can't see any adverse effects if done properly. I can see issues if you don't feel the detent smoothly and are always riding on the gate until the synchro finally comes your way. I would imagine that then you would find yourself ever so slightly grinding your gears away.



Truckers go back and forth as some swear by double clutching and some slip shift. I have had it explained to me that the wear plates on a big truck clutch with all of the torque respond much better to the consistent load from slip shifting as oppossed to releasing and grabbing 13 times to get to speed.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

i have yet to meet a truck driver who uses his clutch for anything except starting from a stop

 

[MamthTorq]

I am able to smoothly shift at around 2200 rpm. I can also down shift if I rev up around 2500 rpm. What are the down sides to speed shifting my transmission like a big rig? It is kinda fun sometimes, but mostly my lazy A** gets tired of pushing in the clutch 500 times for a short drive across town.

You will destroy your syncros in your transmission, even if it feels like it is going into gear perfectly it will still cause damage. Big rig transmissions don't have syncros they use straight cut gears, that is why they can't shift even with the clutch pushed in unless the rpms are matched. Were as our trucks you can put in gear even if you are going way to fast for that gear. Although I would much prefer speed shifting opposed to regular, I would not recommend it.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

I float the gears when I drive a semi. Tried it in the 03 and it aint worth it. You dont save anything other than you arent moving your leg. It takes longer to pop it out and into the next instead of using the clutch. Your asking for synchro problems.

 

[Nschroeder]

I have 160k on my 99 and have slip shifted every mile of it. Most of the time at stop signs I dont even hit the clutch, just slip it in to first and its ready to go. I find that its easier to do with the 4500 that either of the six speeds. .

Nick

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I think You answered my question... . quite being so lazy! Thanks guys!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I match revs on downshifts, but I also use the clutch. Our transmissions are designed to be shifted using the clutch, so I do.

 

[obert]

I usualy clutch, but not always. If I "float" gears, its typacally 3-4-5 up or down. Did a 5th gear/mainshaft upgrade last spring, at about 165k miles, syncros looked new. I admit, I really expected to see wear of some kind.



I've only seen the inside of a few roadranger's, but I remeber them having helical gears. It wouldnt matter anyway beacause they (and our 5/6 spds) are constant mesh trannys-- the gears are always in mesh. There are shifting collars that lock the selected gear to the mainshaft. Thats where our synchros are. Just some friction discs between the gear and shft collar to match shaft and gear speeds. Theres whole lot of rotating mass in there for the sychro to take up on any shift. If you didn't "ride the gates" (NKenny), you might be saving wear, or at least not causing more by floating, or slipping or whatever you may call the process... ...