Deuce Shifting Questions

[zeisshensoldt]

I'm going to start off by saying, I'm probably doing this ALL WRONG. I was told that the deuces clutch is NEVER supposed to be slipped, so in all situations the clutch is designed to be let out rapidly/immediately. Ok, so that's what I've been doing since he said that, and the results feel really bad on me and my passengers. I don't even try this in high range 1st gear anymore because there's such a violent shake it feels as if the deuces transmission is going to rip out the bottom of the truck. So now to reduce neck breaking shakes I always start the truck out in 1st gear low range, but theres still a bit of a shake accept it's a little different feeling. It's more like a rocking motion, back and forth, back and forth. Even the rpm gauge is doing the same motion. After 3rd gear I'm good no more bad shakes. I don't know what's up, looking for some insight.

 

[phil2968]

Not slipping the clutch means don't hold the truck on a hill with the clutch. Normal clutch operation requires a certain amount of slippage. Thats what the clutch is for, to bring the drive line up to engine speed gradually. What you have been doing would be considered popping the clutch. Can be hard on driveline parts.

 

[Floridianson]

You ever drive a tractor on the farm? Slect correct low range gear (2) low maybe. Let the clutch out easey and then add the fuel. Do the same for all gears let it out easey but steady then add fuel. Windout every gear till 100 before red line till you reach your desired speed.

 

[F18hornetM]

Have you ever driving a manual transmission vehicle before? Ive never seen a clutch that didnt have to be slipped some. Gee wiz why have a clutch just jamn it in gear.! Seriously, start off in first or second just like any other truck. Let it out, get it moving. Shouldnt ride any clutch alot, but has to be slipped to get it moving.

 

[zeisshensoldt]

Well, ****. I knew it had to be at least slipped some for a smooth take off. I don't know why he said the clutch always needs a prompt release, cause it's been he|| driving it like that.

 

[F18hornetM]

well if it doesnt feel right, dont do it. I know the dueces have some special quirks, but they are still just trucks. ok, nobody shoot me for saying that..
Good that you asked before tearing something up though.

 

[TMNT]

With any bigger truck, let the clutch out smoothly BEFORE you add power. It's not like a smaller vehicle with a gas engine where you apply power as you let out the clutch. Smoothly release the clutch with the engine at idle, and then press the accelerator only after the clutch is all the way out. Between gears, hold the engine speed up as you depress the clutch and shift. Lift off of the accelerator only after it has dropped into the next gear and just before you let out the clutch again. Practice that and you'll get so smooth that you can hardly feel the gear changes, and with big trucks, smooth is very important.

 

[cityslug]

Always start in first gear . Starting in second gear shortens the life of the tranny and also the clutch because you have to slip the clutch to get the truck rolling.

 

[54reo]

 

[F18hornetM]

Always start in first gear . Starting in second gear shortens the life of the tranny and also the clutch because you have to slip the clutch to get the truck rolling.

Its a clutch, its made to slip some. There is a post here discussing that. I disagree with the start off in first idea, unless you need to. but to each their own. Certanly is easy on stuff in first, just don't think its necessary. I drove M35's in the Marines, and never started in first unless had too. But again, if you want to start in first, not going to hurt anything.

 

[Heavysteven]

I would compare it to driving a tractor. Low range is great for tights turns, backing up, uphill starts, and traffic.

 

[zeisshensoldt]

So let me get this straight. It's fine to slip the clutch when first starting off and when i want to shift to the next gear I need to stay on the throttle until fully in the next gear? Will this cause any shaking when shifting? It seems as if I were to stay on the throttle while im shifting to a higher gear and then releasing the clutch would cause some shaking.

 

[m16ty]

To each his own but I don't stay in the throttle until after the shift. I will let off the accelerator as I depress the clutch, Shift gears, let out on the clutch, and get back on the accelerator.

You should ease out on the clutch when taking off. Don't slip it excessively but don't just pop it out either. It doesn't take long driving the truck and it will tell you what it wants. If your truck is jerking or making odd noises you aren't driving it right.

 

[zeisshensoldt]

Another question, I was told that these trucks are notorious for having head gasket failure and it's best to check to make sure the cylinders are clear before starting the truck. True/False?

 

[mudman]

The engin, being a rather large Diesel should be able to get the truck rolling with out to much slippage or fuel appied. always start off in 1st gear except if it is a "compound or deep under" first gear. Most transmissions are of the progessive type, which means you use the first gear to get her rolling.

I have another question though.. You mentioned "Shaking". the clutch should not shake at all. Seems you might have a problem down there. Pressure plate messed up, hot spots on the fly wheel. It should be a smooth transission from still to rolling.

 

[zeisshensoldt]

I have another question though.. You mentioned "Shaking". the clutch should not shake at all. Seems you might have a problem down there. Pressure plate messed up, hot spots on the fly wheel. It should be a smooth transission from still to rolling.

The clutch doesn't shake, the entire truck violently shakes because i dont know what im doing.

 

[mudman]

The clutch doesn't shake, the entire truck violently shakes because i dont know what im doing.

10-4, but the shaking is an issue that needs to be looked at soon. You have slipped it so much that there is hot spots on your fly wheel and pressure plate. Hot spots are little blue or black marks, that grab your clutch disc and cause the shuttering. New clutch time more than likely.

 

[Clay James]

You're new to the deuce but you'll get the hang of it. I remember a few years ago I didn't know anything about deuces but now I can drive and park it better than my cars Do like already mentioned and it will be smooth. I personally give it a little fuel when letting out the clutch to keep it from sounding like it's lugging.

 

[quickfarms]

My advice is to find either a SS member that is local or get some training from a trucking school.

Dumping the clutch so fast that it shakes the truck can lead to broken u joints drive shafts or worse.

 

[plym49]

These trucks are tough and are designed to function under extreme conditions in combat and/or driven roughly by 18 year old recruits. You probably have not yet done any damage. That said, you should be able to engage the clutch and shift s-m-o-o-t-h-l-y. This does not mean an extended amount of time taken to engage the clutch, made worse by applying throttle during that time. That is slipping the clutch, and that is what 'the guy' should have meant. You can drive smoothly by taking a long time to s-l-o-w-l-y engage the clutch, and this is what will kill it. It is worse if you are applying throttle the throttle (revving the engine) while doing that. Sorry to say it twice, trying to emphasize the point. You should be able to engage the clutch reasonably quickly. Not so fast that you are popping it, as you have been doing. Not so much that the engine rpms drop too much (truck will buck) or stall. You have to feel it, and that is what several folks have already said. Now, if you are gointing up hill, or with a really heavy load, you might need to give a little throttle but in that case you might also want to be using low range. If you practice you will get it.