Makin' the bacon while local tanker yankin'

Was it the unsynchronized tranny that requires double-clutching?

 

Unsynchronized, yes. Does not require double clutching however. Bring RPMs up to the appropriate range, let off throttle and kick out to neutral at the same time, then kick into the next higher gear. This lapse of time allows your RPMs to drop for the higher gear. Done right, it is seamless with zero use of the clutch. From there, let's say you're in the gear that you want to split, bring the RPMs to the appropriate range where you'd normally shift, push the selector switch forward, let off the throttle and then apply throttle momentarily afterwards. The transmission will perform the split for you. Before you shift to the next higher gear, return the selector switch backwards before moving the stick to the next higher gear, but be mindful of your throttle action before you shift. The same method is used for downshifting to a lower gear with the splitter, just move the selector forward, and at the appropriate range, let off the throttle momentarily and then re apply throttle.

As far as down shifting without double clutching, as you are ready to downshift, lightly apply a bit of throttle as you push the stick out of gear, raise RPMS to the appropriate range, then push the stick into gear.

 

So, excuse my ignorance, having never heard of what straight cut gears are. How do they differ, and how do they impact controlling the vehicle?

 

Yahtzee, I forget that he is green to this (not that I am a seasoned old timer myself either). I agree, I didn't even begin to flirt with floating gears until I was confident with my double clutching action.

 

I've worked for a place where they ONLY wanted you floating gears. The only time they wanted you to use that clutch was when you were at an all stop and had to put the truck in hear to get it moving.