Hey Guys,
I had my dad with me the other day when he realized I wasn't using the clutch when I shifted. Well when I was taught how to drive years ago in that old Diamond Rio I was taught not to use the clutch. The only time we used it was for stopping or starting. Now my dad was saying that our trucks aren't designed to be shifted with out the clutch but I of course I told him that he was crazy and not to worry about it. Well I was wondering, anyone else shift without the clutch? I haven't used a clutch to shift in over 20+ yrs and never had any tranie troubles. (Due to shifting that is)
So how many of you guys shift with out the clutch? If you haven't given it a try -TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT!!!
See ya,
Topper

 

I did in our old 92 dodge... when it would let me. And in my dad's rig, a corn grinder. Not lately, tho. Tried to do it in an 06 handshaker I test drove the other month, I guess that the syncros were not broke in yet...

 

If you can shift with out grinding then it is fine.

 

Or... if you can't find 'em, grind 'em!

 

It's really not a good idea. On these transmissions you'll wear out parts fairly fast. They'll pop out of gear.

 

Shifting without a clutch with a road tractor transmission is different because you have no synchronizers or partial synchros. That is why there is no difference with the clutch in or out. It is harder on the synchros in smaller trucks like ours and also harder to shift without the clutch. It will wear out the synchros faster.

 

Did it in my 70 GMC with a M456.....no issues, just time the RPM's

 

I never used the clutch on my 97 237,000 miles but my 07 with 14,000miles isnt as shifter friendly I tried it a couple of times it may get better as it breaks in

 

You're asking for trouble shifting a fully synchronized transmission without the clutch. It's there for a reason. Use it. Even on the big trucks without synchros it's not good for them.

 

The only time you might hurt the synchros if if you are pulling hard on the shifter with mis-matched engine RPM, and you do it over and over. And then it won't go in anyway. Just match the speeds and it won't hurt a thing. Kind of fun too. You might even save a little ware on the throwout bearing and clutch.

Wetspirit

 

Thing is nobody's perfect and guaranteed every one of you shifting without a clutch have mismatched a few times a day. Like most truckers too lazy to mash the clutch pedal I float shift my big truck a hundred times in a day and I mismatch it every now and then. If I was double clutching it, as one should, mismatches would never happen. So if you want to be cool floating them in a $40K pickup truck go right ahead. I'm just not chancing it in my Ram.

 

i shift without the clutch most of the time, unless im towing...