Problems with 5 speed Split shift

We had those at Pepsi. Old dog Ford F700's with 5 X 2's. One had a turbo 3208 Cat and would do 75 mph flat out with the engine screaming at 2300 rpm. I think I suffered hearing loss in that truck, lol but it was a blast the few times I took it on my route.

 

If remember right, aren't there a couple different setups with these?
I know some you split every gear, they shift like a super10. But others I'm thinking you do 1L-2L-3L-2H-3H-4L-4H-5L-5H. Or am I remembering something else?

 

I think his is one that goes 1l 1h 2l 2h and so forth used to drive one just like it red and all.

 

The ones at Pepsi you split gears 2 - 5, 1st gear was left in low, though you could still split 1st gear.

 

Somebody said it further up, but when you shift, you move the lever first, then the button. This way the trans and rear are never in neutral at the same time. So, like this: 3L-select high-off/on throttle-3H-shift lever to 4th-select low-on throttle-4L... You shift the 2-speed just like a splitter on a 13/18 or Super10 except that you shift the splitter after the shift instead of preselecting.

 

Sounds like it might be one of the old 2 speed axles. If it is the button controls the rear gear ratio. Red button, electrically operated. If it is working properly you start out with the button down, the next shift pull the button up with the accelerator depressed, let off the gas and it should shift by itself then mash the gas again. Next shift, with the button still up shift to the next highest gear, after you complete the shift try to coordinate pushing the button down just as you let out on the clutch and then immediately hit the gas. Progressively go thru the gears like that. To downshift from button up to button down in the same gear, with the gas pedal depressed just push the button down, let off the gas for a split second, then mash it again. The next shift, button down with the gas pedal depressed, pull the button up then move the gear stick to the next lowest gear. Takes a little getting used to if you are used to a 9, 10, or 13 speed. If you ever drove a Super 10 its very similar in the way you shift it.

 

If the thing isn't engaging half the time as you say, make sure you are letting off the gas pedal completely. If it is a 2 speed axle there may be some moisture in the electrical box.

 

Just to add to the confusion, it has what is called a working 5th you shift

4L 5L then 4H 5H to get the right progression of gears.