When to shift?

[LBTRS]

Hey guys,



Sorry for all the newbie questions but this new truck is far from what I'm used to. My question is..... at what rpm should I be shifting? I have the ETH/DEE with a 3. 55 rear end. The sound of the motor is kinda confusing as it sounds like it's winding up earlier than I'd expect it to. Any insight would be appreciated.



Thanks,

 

[Mad Bomber]

rpm's

The sweet spot for the cummins is about 1800 to 2500 or so. I know it sounds like your beating it to death but the cummins LOVES heat so wind it up. When your in a parking lot people will move beause they think flying by all the good cummins music.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Unloaded and not in a hurry I shift at 2100. In a hurry (merging onto the interstate) I shift at 2600. Loaded, I wind it up to 26 Plus.

 

[TomGolden]

If I'm just casually going down the road, I shift at around 2000 RPM. If I'm gunning it a little, 2500 - 2600. When starting out "cold", maybe around 1800.



Tom

 

[Okie-Go]

I shift about the same as tom. If pulling heavy I up the rpm's a little to get a jump on the next gear.

 

[ftb87]

I also shift like Tom. Unless I want to hot rod it... then sometimes I take it upto redline .



Frank

 

[Diesel Junkie]

When cold i try to shift around 2100. After warmup it's around 2300. This puts it into the power after the shift. When I start the next gear I give it light throttle until I see some boost then accelerate. This keeps the smoke down to a minimum. Unless the guy behind me has a clean windshield then I feel I have an obligation to help get it dirty!

 

[mdlowry]

Just rev it up until the up-shift light comes on!



Michael

 

[Vaman]

I wonder if I'm the only one shifting the way I am. I don't shift mine like a gasser. I shift it much lower (1500 more or less depending on your axles and tires) and don't apply any throttle until the clutch is engaged. The idea being that this engine has very high torque with little engine backpressure compared to a gasser. Not applying any throttle allows the drivetrain to match engine RPM better without wearing the clutch much. It also shifts VERY smoothly if you get the right RPM for the right gear. Maybe I'm out to lunch here but, if you look at my sig (everything the same except RVs for the BDs), I never slipped my stock clutch even when stomping on it in 5th and beating Cobras. The only time I shift at a higher RPM is when I need to get somewhere in a big hurry.

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by Vaman

I wonder if I'm the only one shifting the way I am. I don't shift mine like a gasser. I shift it much lower (1500 more or less depending on your axles and tires) and don't apply any throttle until the clutch is engaged. The idea being that this engine has very high torque with little engine backpressure compared to a gasser. Not applying any throttle allows the drivetrain to match engine RPM better without wearing the clutch much. It also shifts VERY smoothly if you get the right RPM for the right gear. Maybe I'm out to lunch here but, if you look at my sig (everything the same except RVs for the BDs), I never slipped my stock clutch even when stomping on it in 5th and beating Cobras. The only time I shift at a higher RPM is when I need to get somewhere in a big hurry.

I shift the same way as you it is very smooth to shift at a little over 1500 and you are not luging if unloaded and on level ground. I increase the rpms some before I go to sixth and fifth but the first 4 gears i dont wind up at all unloaded