shifting w/o clutch

Again, you just have to know your speed. If you are doing 55 in 10th gear (ok, using my narrow knowledge base of 10 speeds only) and you are rapidly losing ground speed, you should be able to hit 9th at 45 mph at 1500 rpm, or 8th at 40 mph at 1800 rpm. Those are estimates, but right around there.

 

It is all about RPMs. I piggy back with every type of transmission, I float them all. Newer transmissions are tighter and you can still do it if the RPMs are right.

 

Most engines and gearing ratios are different, so there is no one rule.

Empty, loaded - med or heavy, or bobtail will make a difference in the "sweet spot" as well.

It will be better to learn this from a vet - and hands on, since it most has to do with feel and sound.

When your good enough, you'll rarely need to touch the clutch - even in stop and go traffic.

 

That's what I'm saying. Learn the basics and go from there. Some say use the clutch all the time and I agree if the driver is new. But taking a road test and use the double clutching method will 9 times out of 10 be enough to get you through.

After you've been in a truck for awhile and it becomes second nature to you then you can start skipping gears on the way down. When I get off the highway with our 10 speeds I'll let the truck slow down enough then go from 10th to 6th and then stop if I need to. If I don't need to stop then knowing what gear to be in is real easy and a little juice and in it goes. It's just a matter of taking it easy and relaxing and never speeding from one point to another. There's no sense to use every gear in that truck unless you need them. So you don't have to hit every gear when downshifting. Also, don't shift in a turn .

 

I occasionally use the clutch to downshift on a steep upgrade.

Oh yeah, I know them big shotz out there with a few years under their belts claim they never do that, cause they are sooooo #### good.

I say,whatever works. Screwing up a transmission trying to be a macho man is what I call stupid, If you need the clutch I say use it. If not, dont.

 

Dont float your gears down until you can float up. Unless you want to loose all of your thunder goin up hills. use your clutch until you the hang of floating on flat surfaces.

 

I guess I'm one the ppl it came natural to...once ya get the floating up.. down will come easier... but I still goof up some times.. like forgetting I have the jake on..lol..
.. my truck can be shifted real nice using the jake... but when ya forget lol .. but every one is right... engine rpm>speed>gear..

 

I think alot of floating comes with experience , best to learn your truck first , then practice your different style shifting ! Remembering it is winter & safety first ! Good Luck !

 

The bain of every company trucks transmission...a newbie learning to float.
Oy Vey, the rounded and chipped results.

 

But...(in an effort not to sound like an #######)

I did it too.

But on the old crashboxes, it was a whole lot more forgiving that this modern day super tight trannies. You used to be able to "feel" it right in with the coarse cut squaking gears. Not any more.

When you try to float them, make sure your foot is on the clutch.
The other helpful advice:when you are trying to float and you are halfway into gear...KEEP GOING!
The WORST thing you can do is catch the edge of it and in that split second think..."oops, maybe there is too much stress here" and then let it pop out.
Unless it is grinding, COMPLETE the shift! Do not second guess halfway into gear.