Clutchless shifting a ZF5

[95dieselsmoke]

I have gotten it down to where the "happy" RPM range is on the ZF5 to where I am able to shift clutchless without grinding. I have heard talk about it perhaps being hard on the synchros. Whats your guys' thoughts on clutchless shifting? Bad news all around, or OK if you can shift in the correct RPM range?

[dieselmac99]

If its good enough for OTR guys then one would think we could do it, IF you do it right. Like myself... haha

[seven3stroker]

maybe its bad but i dont use the clutch going from 3-4-5 or from 5-4. ??????

[Sea97Stroker]

Hard on syncos...

[Big Tone]

Originally Posted by dieselmac99

If its good enough for OTR guys then one would think we could do it, IF you do it right. Like myself... haha

Those big trannys dont have syncros, thus the need to be in the proper RPM range for your ground speed when shifting.
I have always heard it is hard on the syncros but I put 150k on a 95 model doing it so

[rolsmojave3]

If you do it right, don't use too much force on the shifter and are always in the "right" rpm range you can do it. And like big tone said, no syncros on the big trucks. They either double clutch or no clutch.

[Constable]

Like stated above: I didn't clutch for 3-4-5 when strolling around. Just don't force it in or put pressure on the stick. Mine would glide itself right in when the rpms and conditions were right. Once in a while I'd have to do a quick stb of the pedal if I missed the opportunity.

[Mutley]

Sooooooo.....what's the right rpm range to do 3-4-5 shifting with no clutch? I haven't experimented with that one yet.

[5spdpowerstroke]

i used to pretty much always use the clutch, but mine was a brand new tranny so it was a little tighter, but i could shift it without the clutch if i was feelin spunky. these are different than a big truck, in the tri-axle i drive i dont touch the clutch up-shifting or down-shifting, only to start and stop, but as stated they are non-synchronized, the synchronized trannies i actually found a little tougher to shift without the clutch

[rolsmojave3]

Originally Posted by Mutley

Sooooooo.....what's the right rpm range to do 3-4-5 shifting with no clutch? I haven't experimented with that one yet.

Easiest. Keep a steady throttle, slowly let off and take out of gear, then let off throttle and shift it to next gear. If you let off the throttle fast it will drop RPM's to quickly and you'll miss it. If you let off easy, you can hit it.

Even easier learning...Shift from 3rd to 4th with the clutch. Note the 3rd gear rpms. then shift, Note the 4th gear RPM's. When not using the clutch you will have to catch that 4th gear RPM before it gets under it otherwise you'll have to blip the throttle.