Earlier this week I had to drive a truck that only had a 5 speed, not a 10 speed like the other trucks we have. It’s 89 model International, and I believe it’s either a 4700 or 4900 model. I wondered if if I could float the gears, or if I should try and shift like a non commercial vehicle. And turns out, that was the correct decision. Clutch all the way to the floor, bring it out of gear and into the next gear, then release the clutch. No grinding, and didn’t have to worry about the RPMs matching.
Had I tried floating the gears, would/could I have torn the transmission up?
Floating gears in non synchronized transmission? (5 speed)
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Zonno, Jul 1, 2022.
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Floating means not using the clutch except to start moving. All other shifts do not use the clutch. Smaller transmissions usually have RPMs drop so quickly it is hard to float. Floating doesn't hurt the transmission, it's the not quite being able to get in gear when trying to float that causes damage.
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If the transmission is synchronised you can always get into gear using the clutch. If the transmission is not synchronized you can only get into a gear if the RPMs, roadspeed are within the correct operating range. Floating just takes the clutch mechanism out of the equation, not change if the gears are harmed.
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Ok I had it backwards. 4-wheel cars it’s stick-shift are synchronized, whereas most commercial vehicles are not.
And I know what floating the gears is; I do it all the time in the 10 speed dumptruck I drive.tscottme Thanks this. -
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Put over 1 million miles on a syncro’d spicer 6 speed in a ‘99 FL 60. Used the clutch in first and reverse only. Never had issues with trans. It’s still solid. Only replaced the clutch twice in that time around 500,000 miles at each engine overhaul and I don’t think they were ready for replacement yet.
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The truck is 23 years old and the clutch peddle pad still looks factory fresh. Lol!
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Rule of thumb on medium duty syncro’d trans is if no clutch brake it has synchro’s. Unless it is an older main for a two stick setup. Those were non syncro and non brake.
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