manual trans - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

VINNIE · 05-23-2007, 04:15 AM

i have a 4 speed. i guess 1st is a granny gear for a big truck. i do not nedd it. my question is can i shift this truck without using the clutch? thanks,vinnie

dave2953 · 05-23-2007, 04:45 AM

I have seen people shift gears without using the clutch, but if you don't do it at exactly the right time you'll hear the awful grinding noise. I'm not really sure how you know when you're supposed to shift, though.

67-72williso · 05-23-2007, 06:26 AM

vinnie
You shoud be able to shift with a clutch if you are familiar enought with the vehicle.
Willis

mvfd70 · 05-23-2007, 08:26 AM

I used to drive a 68 with a granny low 4 speed. I never drove using 1st gear. As a matter of fact, more than once, I took off froma dead stop in 4th gear.

You can shift without a clutch but if you don't hit the next gear at just the right RPM, it sounds like you're going to rip the teeth right off the gear.

retodd7711 · 05-23-2007, 09:13 PM

I drive a semi truck and I "float" gears constantly. I do this in my personal vehicles also, It just takes a little getting used to the vehicle then it comes naturally. I have never had a problem with tearing up my tranny. It's interesting that truck driving schools teach double-clutching but no one can tell you why.

69TowRig · 05-23-2007, 10:45 PM

Used to be double-clutching was necessary to slow down the input shaft in the transmission before the next gear selection was made (no synchronization). Modern light trucks and autos are all synchronized so there's hardly a need for that anymore. I would suspect that for big trucks that have big transmissions it is more a matter of wear on the transmission components, I would figure that they are synchronized but when you figure all that mass of the large gears and shafts spinning you would want more than just the synchonizer cones to do the work of speed-matching the transmission components? Anyone else have any theories?

I agree with the above that once you get used to a vehicle you can "float" gears no sweat. I have been able to do it with just about every stick shift I have ever driven.

Moneypit · 05-23-2007, 10:56 PM

None of the "big" trucks I drive at work have a synchronized transmission. You can either float the gears or double clutch. As retodd7711 said most of the truck driving schools still teach to double clutch but hardly anybody touches the clutch except for starting and stopping once they leave the schools. You can ask most any driver if they float or dbl clutch and they will say float. My question is though: Why would you want to do so in your personal vehicle. It is harder to do on a synchronized transmission because you have to take into account the synchronizer working and you run for more risk of tearing something up. Just my $.02

05-23-2007, 04:15 AM	#1
VINNIE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ABSECON Posts: 25	manual trans i have a 4 speed. i guess 1st is a granny gear for a big truck. i do not nedd it. my question is can i shift this truck without using the clutch? thanks,vinnie

05-23-2007, 04:45 AM	#2
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: manual trans I have seen people shift gears without using the clutch, but if you don't do it at exactly the right time you'll hear the awful grinding noise. I'm not really sure how you know when you're supposed to shift, though. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

05-23-2007, 06:26 AM	#3
67-72williso Junk/Daily Driver Club Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Manheim, PA 17545 Posts: 253	Re: manual trans vinnie You shoud be able to shift with a clutch if you are familiar enought with the vehicle. Willis __________________ Daily Driver: 1970 C-20 400 sbc,sm-465,Dana 61 one ton SRW rear, 3.07 gears, locker. There are three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who have no idea what happened!

05-23-2007, 08:26 AM	#4
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: manual trans I used to drive a 68 with a granny low 4 speed. I never drove using 1st gear. As a matter of fact, more than once, I took off froma dead stop in 4th gear. You can shift without a clutch but if you don't hit the next gear at just the right RPM, it sounds like you're going to rip the teeth right off the gear. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

05-23-2007, 09:13 PM	#5
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: manual trans I drive a semi truck and I "float" gears constantly. I do this in my personal vehicles also, It just takes a little getting used to the vehicle then it comes naturally. I have never had a problem with tearing up my tranny. It's interesting that truck driving schools teach double-clutching but no one can tell you why. __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

05-23-2007, 10:45 PM	#6
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: manual trans Used to be double-clutching was necessary to slow down the input shaft in the transmission before the next gear selection was made (no synchronization). Modern light trucks and autos are all synchronized so there's hardly a need for that anymore. I would suspect that for big trucks that have big transmissions it is more a matter of wear on the transmission components, I would figure that they are synchronized but when you figure all that mass of the large gears and shafts spinning you would want more than just the synchonizer cones to do the work of speed-matching the transmission components? Anyone else have any theories? I agree with the above that once you get used to a vehicle you can "float" gears no sweat. I have been able to do it with just about every stick shift I have ever driven. __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals...

05-23-2007, 10:56 PM	#7
Moneypit Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alpine,Texas Posts: 129	Re: manual trans None of the "big" trucks I drive at work have a synchronized transmission. You can either float the gears or double clutch. As retodd7711 said most of the truck driving schools still teach to double clutch but hardly anybody touches the clutch except for starting and stopping once they leave the schools. You can ask most any driver if they float or dbl clutch and they will say float. My question is though: Why would you want to do so in your personal vehicle. It is harder to do on a synchronized transmission because you have to take into account the synchronizer working and you run for more risk of tearing something up. Just my $.02 __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 1967 Mustang 1976 Honda XL350 2006 Victory Vegas 8-Ball 2012 Ram 1500 4x4



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