It seems more people then I thought when daily driving their rig with no load don't even use 1st gear. Does this hurt the truck at all to not use first? Do you launch in first? Second? Third? Is it that annoying to launch it in first? It sounds like first gear spools up almost to quickly...I have even heard about people skipping gears...does this hurt the truck? Also why do some not like pulling into traffic when you have to get going quick. Like a fast launch to get up to speed. I have seen some of the track times and hp/tq numbers so I know it isn't because the truck doesn't have the power. Just trying to get a feel for the DD habits of what guys who drive a manual with the CTD.

 

I don't even own a manual and I voted 2nd. I've driven several trucks with manuals and 1st gear is pointless. Redline on 1st is like 10mph. No point. Start off in 2nd and get at least 15mph before you shift. The only time you need to start off in 1st is if you drive a car or are pulling a trailer.

 

Are you counting gears as

lo, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (direct), 5th OD

or 1st... 6th (OD) ?

 

I guess it depends on which tranny you have. By the way, I really like your truck superduty. It's a sweet looking ride and the cummins makes it that much better.

 

Sorry, I know Im a newbie when it comes to diesels...but Im learning. What is special about 4th that makes it "direct?" And to answer your question, in the poll I am not counting the low 1st gear. But I am aware of it. And Im assuming by OD (overdrive) your referring to 6th gear right...

 

Do the 03 and 04s and early model 05's have the same 6 speed? Is there different choices between 6 speeds for the CTD between those years?

 

The '03 and '04 6 speeds are the same - a NV5600.

According to the shifter ****, the gears are 1 through 6; but you can name them anything/anyway you like. When not pulling the boat, I start out in 2nd; I usually use 1st to get rolling when pulling the boat.

On the 6 speed, 5th gear is direct since the gear ratio is 1:1. 6th gear is indeed an OD.

 

It is called direct because in that gear the input shaft of the transmission connects directly to the output shaft and no gearset is transmitting power.

 

I always start in 2nd gear unless I have a load that's more than two tons. Since changing the tranny oil to Amsoil MTF and adding the Rokktech sensor skip shifting is much easier. So now I use 2-4-6 for normal driving.

MikeyB

 

1st only when towing our 5th wheel. 2nd any other time. 1st gear with a 4.10 rear axle is good for about 3 feet!

Rusty

 

I could be wrong, but I believe it is called direct because there is no gear reduction. There is actually a gear set transmitting power, but both gears have the same number of teeth........input and output shafts turn the same speed in direct drive.

Waylan

 

"I could be wrong, but I believe it is called direct because there is no gear reduction. There is actually a gear set transmitting power, but both gears have the same number of teeth........input and output shafts turn the same speed in direct drive."

Actually, on most conventional transmissions, in direct a synchronizer sleeve physically connects the input shaft to the output shaft. The input shaft is typically really short. It extends only a little way into the transmission and is steadied by a bearing in/on the output shaft. The input shaft and the output shaft are in line with each other end to end and thus direct gear just connects them.

With all the other gears, the power goes through the counter shaft gears.

 

Good info, SD.

I usually start in 1st, but I have been starting in 2nd more often now, especially after the M4s went in.

Anyway, I distinctly remember a TDR post from Peter @ South Bend Clutch saying that starting in 1st gear would greatly enhance clutch life.

There's probably something to it. My clutch is lasting much longer than all the "experts" told me it would. It survived DD2s and an EZ (for two years!!), then a week of all hell with a MAD ECM and Mach 4s!! I can't believe that it isn't slipping right now, considering that amazing abuse that it has been given at the hands of others (*I* would NEVER abuse it, right?:P)

I'm confident that I could have killed the clutch with another week or so of MAD ECM testing, but it didn't die instantly, and I half expected it to.

I think there's something to the 1st gear starts. Yes, it's annoying around town, but I think it's part of keeping that tender clutch alive.

JMO

 

I only use 1st when unloaded when I'm stopped on a hill.

 

I always start in 3rd gear! 2nd gear is about as good as 1st to me. Of course I seem to race everyone from all the stoplights when I go to work, too

Andy