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Brad Hole · 10-13-2017, 07:06 PM

I'm with GB, Shu, and Flatford8. I, much like GB, didn't have much direction on how to drive a non-synchro. I was 20 at the time, and got the hang of upshift relatively easily (I had/have a '45 1.5ton), but I always ground the downshift something horrible - to the point that I just wouldn't do it. I did exactly as GB did - depress the clutch twice between shifts, but it never helped, because, as he stated, the engine RPM's wouldn't match the road speed.
Later that year, I purchased a '47 1.5 ton with a '56 312 Merc and a "HD truck trans" (still haven't figured out what it is. Maybe this winter...), but still straight-cut gears. I love driving the truck, so I figured that I better teach myself how to downshift, I made some noise (and I'm sure some fine metal shavings), but after a few weeks I had it down decently.
Like said above, it's all about matching RPM/engine noise to road speed. I had a especially fun time because neither my speedo nor my tach work, so it's all by ear and feel. But once you get the hang of it, it's rather enjoyable.

10-13-2017, 07:06 PM	#19
Brad Hole Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bristol, WI Posts: 34	Re: Need a 4 speed synchronized truck tranny I'm with GB, Shu, and Flatford8. I, much like GB, didn't have much direction on how to drive a non-synchro. I was 20 at the time, and got the hang of upshift relatively easily (I had/have a '45 1.5ton), but I always ground the downshift something horrible - to the point that I just wouldn't do it. I did exactly as GB did - depress the clutch twice between shifts, but it never helped, because, as he stated, the engine RPM's wouldn't match the road speed. Later that year, I purchased a '47 1.5 ton with a '56 312 Merc and a "HD truck trans" (still haven't figured out what it is. Maybe this winter...), but still straight-cut gears. I love driving the truck, so I figured that I better teach myself how to downshift, I made some noise (and I'm sure some fine metal shavings), but after a few weeks I had it down decently. Like said above, it's all about matching RPM/engine noise to road speed. I had a especially fun time because neither my speedo nor my tach work, so it's all by ear and feel. But once you get the hang of it, it's rather enjoyable.