pdt1081 said:
I was shifting at about 2000 RPMS and getting about 18 mpg. Lately I've been shifting at about 2600 RPMS. It makes the shifts a lot smoother for me, without using the clutch. And I don't usually use 1st (L). Lost a few mpgs though.
Just FYI, I've been told that "float" shifting a transmission that is equipped with syncros is not real good for them. You can burn up syncros prematurely doing that, if you don't do it properly.
If you float out of gear, then put pressure on the next gear detent until it goes in, your syncro is trying to match gear speeds that whole time, which means lots of friction and heat, since it cannot match the speeds, because it cannot overpower the momentum of the truck and engine.
The only way to do it is to be "spot on" every single time, where you float into neutral, then let the shifter go slack (ie, no pressure on the next gear) until the "sweet spot" then quickly shift it in. This minimizes the time the syncro slips on itself.
I usually float into neutral, then push the clutch in right at the "sweet spot" and engage the next gear, so that the shift is really smooth, and I do not risk my syncros.
Don't think I am telling you you are wrong to float the trans. I think it is cool that people still do this in an age of syncros. i used to do it al the time until a transmission guy I knew explained to me why it was a bad idea.
Of course, if i could get a ZF 6 sans syncros, I probably would, so then I could be lazy and float shift everywhere I go.
I thought i'd pass that along....
