How do YOU float gears on your 13/18 speed trans?

On my old 13 speed, I didn't think I was really pre-selecting anything. I would pull the button a split second before I would come out of 4th, and shift into 5th direct with no grinding or clunking. Any lag in a shift is usually a air delivery problem somewhere.

Same thing shifting from direct to overdrive. Flip the button, drop the pedal, make the shift, ease back onto the throttle and it was all as smooth as butter. On a downshift, same thing. Drop the fuel, flip the button, a quick rap of the accelerator, and ease into the lower gear.

Was always taught that any amount of pre-selecting wasn't too healthy for a tranny, as the shift forks were putting pressure on the gear-sets the second the button was flipped.

And that may be correct, but I always found it easier to be consistent the way I shifted and it didn't seem to matter.

I don't know what you are running, but my empty weight was no lower than 31K, and I wasn't a big fan of starting off in higher gears. I would use 3rd at tops and just progressive shift it. I hated changing clutches, and I got 850,000 out of mine the first time around.

It makes sense, but the minute you go to drive your truck and run through all the gears, it will struggle on the shifts it doesn't normally do, as it wears in that way.

Change it up once in a while.

I've seen guys the minute they get into 4 gear pull that button and I would just cringe....

Definitely on the direct/overdrive side. Not sure about the low to high range.

On a 13, I always referred to them as 1-4th. 5th direct/5th over, etc.

On an 18, I would call the low side 1st, 1st over, etc.

Oh, that poor un-used and un-loved Granny gear. Only there if you were really in a bind and super heavy or on a really bad grade...

Glad we ain't discussion' a 2 stick Mack.....

 

i just got a 13 spd, it seems i almost at the same time select direct as i push it out of gear heading for 6th[im countin granny as 1st]i hear a slight clunk ,then when splitting i dont pre select until right before i let off the throttle, seems to shift dam smooth. im i doin ti right ?

 

I have a super 10 and when im empty or loaded I shift through every gear. My grandpa has always skipped in his truck which is the same as mine but has a straight 10. I can keep right with him at a light. I like downshifting everygear loaded so the engine keeps me held back, i hardly ever use the jake after i shift to 9th. I usually weigh every bit of 80k.

 

Always float the gears and u run an 18 just like a 13 the side splitter split it and let off till ya feel it grab and ease back into it and the same for down shifting just let off and ease back into it and rpm will climb and grab the gear. I have 1.6 on mine and never had trans problems!!!