How to shift a 5 and 4

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by slim66, Oct 18, 2008.

  1. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Whatever works as they used to say. That's the way I was taught and I'm sure there's more than one way. It worked for me and we had to pull a few grades like 101 in San Luis Obispo loaded both ways.
     
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  3. Johnny99

    Johnny99 Johnny be Good

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    It probably was. That was way back in the early 70's when I was a noob.
     
  4. Coonass

    Coonass "Freshy Fresh"

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    LOL it's funny this has come up, my grandfather has an old Mack that we use everynow and then on the yard because it has a winch(most of the epuip has to be sucked up on a trailer). But anyway this thing has 2 sticks, I never had anyone who could explain it to me(my grandpa dosent drive). Dont ask me how but I CAN DRIVE IT, as for explaining how I do it I have no clue. It took me a long time to figure it out but I got it. It has like oh hell im not going to even quess how many gears it has. LOL
     
  5. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    I was a noob too. The old timers would write on those flags "Jump Dummy".
     
    Elvenhome21 Thanks this.
  6. RLDSL

    RLDSL Bobtail Member

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    I learned on a 5x4 and drove a handful of 5x4 and 4x4 setups over the years. hey can make a small engine feel big. Got to liking the things for some strange reason.
    I recently put a 5831 3 speed brownie behind the 5 speed in my diesel pickup. Makes pulling a large trailer much nicer and helps with the fuel mileage( heck, even after retiring, I still can't stop lugging stuff around.)
     
  7. KO1927

    KO1927 Medium Load Member

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    I've got an old Mack with a 5+3. Here's how I understand it:
    The stick closest to me has Reverse, Underdrive (U), Direct (D), and Overdrive (OD).
    The stick farthest from me has Reverse, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Usually splitting with underdrive is unnecessary (used for heavy hauling/rough terrain)

    Basically, every other shift, you do 'em both.

    D&1, OD&1, D&2, OD&2, D&3, OD&3, D&4, OD&4, D&5, OD&5

    Both must be in reverse for it to engage.

    Splitting with Direct and Overdrive it's a 10 speed, splitting with all three make it a 15. When bobtailing, splitting is unnecessary and you can treat it like a 5 speed.


    The best youtube video I've seen can be found by searching for "Twin Stick Pappy"

    The "mailbox flag" is your low air pressure indicator officially called a "Wig-Wag"
     
  8. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    This old post coming back up got me thinking and how I didn't explain myself well enough. You're 100% right that you should split the gears going up a grade and I've done it a million times. What I intended to say was shift the main first when changing main gears. Like when you pull a grade you would want to shift from 5th 1st to 4th 4th then shift the aux from 4th, to 3rd,2nd,1st then shift the main to 3rd and the aux to 1st and so on with a 5X4 anyway. Or even shifting normally 1st main, 1,2,3,4, then shift the main to 2 nd and the aux back to 1,2,3,4 and so on. Sorry for the misinformation but it's been some time I've been in a twin stick.
     
  9. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    :biggrin_25520:The arm through the steering wheel/steer with your knee scenario is a wives tale. I had always heard that prior to ever driving a 5and4 tranny. I worked for a company that had a fleet of 50 trucks, about 4 of them had 5and4's. My regular truck was down one day and was told to use such and such a truck that had a 5and4. I knew this day would come, I just had to decide whether or not to pretend I knew how to drive it or tell the supervisor I could not and then be teased forever. I said ok, and away I went. I had to drive about 30 miles to the load site and pretty much had it figured out by the time I got there.

    As I remember, I shifted the 'big' box into first, then the 'little' thru it's 4 gears, then the 'big 'box into 2nd and the 'little' thru it's 4 gears etc. I did all the shifting with my right hand and kept my left hand on the wheel. I even got assigned as my regular truck one with a 5and4 and was able to get plenty of drive time in. This was in Idaho hauling beets with 105' length from Sept to Jan running 500 miles a day.
     
  10. SMOKENKW

    SMOKENKW Bobtail Member

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    Possum - that brings back memories. You are correct on the 2,3,4 in the top three stick positions. I can't even begin to explain how we shifted the sst 20 spicer. (5 by 4) air shift. I loved both of those trans. Even the two stick 4 by 4's were a great trans. I would love to have one around to take a run now and then !!!
     
  11. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    always make square movements to avoid jamming the linkage and try not to have both boxes in neutral at the same time, with the exception of a quick compound shift.
     
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