Do you float your gears?

JJcrago05 · #1 05-13-2012, 05:13 PM

Ever since I learned how to do this 6 years ago I have been floating my gears. Its funny when someone notices I'm not using my clutch!! I do it whenever I can which is basically most of my driving besides stop and go traffic...

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clanier4x4 · #2 05-13-2012, 05:22 PM

Never going to try it. Its hard on your truck and no one would even tell me because everyone says its bad. To this day I still havent tried it.

JJcrago05 · #3 05-13-2012, 05:23 PM

It's not hard on the truck at all lol, if you suck at it and can't match RPMs then yes, that is hard on the transmission. If done correctly it is a smooth transition like an automatic.

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FireRanger · #4 05-13-2012, 05:26 PM

I did it all the time when I had my old '91 stick shift. You obviously need the clutch to get into gear from a stop or when the speed / rpm gap is large. But normal driving around, I rarely had to use the clutch between gears. It's great.

clanier4x4 · #5 05-13-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

I did it all the time when I had my old '91 stick shift. You obviously need the clutch to get into gear from a stop or when the speed / rpm gap is large. But normal driving around, I rarely had to use the clutch between gears. It's great.

I need someone to teach me.

JJcrago05 · #6 05-13-2012, 05:34 PM

Lol well yeah, you have to clutch to get into first or reverse! I learned in an old 85' GMC dump truck with about 15% of a clutch. I slapped the shit out of the gears at first, but once I figured it out, I am able to do with any standard.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by clanier4x4

I need someone to teach me.

It's really simple to do, if you drive normally and don't shift with his rpms, most of the time you "float" the gear the same exact spot you clutch shift the gear. When you hit that sweet spot to clutch, instead of clutching just pull the shifter towards the next gear. If done correctly and the timing is right, it will slip right into the next gear no problem. If its off it will usually hesitate without grinding gears or anything. NEVER TRY TO FORCE THE GEARS. I would suggest learning between 3rd and 4th on the highway or somewhere you can go a long time without stopping.

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mthomp1 · #7 05-13-2012, 05:39 PM

I do it in my work truck, but it's a 10 speed Fuller, and it's made for that. I've done it in my personal truck a few times just to do it, but it came in handy when my slave cylinder went out. I had to float it to work every morning until I got it fixed.

ETA: I remember a while back hopping out of my work truck, jumping into my truck to leave work, and accidentally floating to 5th thinking I was still in the tractor. I had to stop and ask myself "Did I really just do that?" haha.

JJcrago05 · #8 05-13-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthomp1

I do it in my work truck, but it's a 10 speed Fuller, and it's made for that. I've done it in my personal truck a few times just to do it, but it came in handy when my slave cylinder went out. I had to float it to work every morning until I got it fixed.

It's a good skill to have!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mthomp1

ETA: I remember a while back hopping out of my work truck, jumping into my truck to leave work, and accidentally floating to 5th thinking I was still in the tractor. I had to stop and ask myself "Did I really just do that?" haha.

Lmao Thats pretty funny

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mthomp1 · #9 05-13-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJcrago05

It's a good skill to have!

You ain't lying! The first time my slave cylinder went out on my college campus, I called the mechanic and told him to be expecting me, and he said that I would have to have it towed to his shop. Like hell I would. I hopped in that thing and drove it down there. Upshifts aren't bad at all, but it's the rev matching while downshifting that'll get you. Slide the transmission into neutral, rev the engine up a bit until you've matched the engine speed with your road speed, then slide the trans. into the next lowest gear.

JJcrago05 · #10 05-13-2012, 05:54 PM

That's how you do it!

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FireRanger · #11 05-13-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clanier4x4

I need someone to teach me.

Nobody taught me. It just happens.

03ranger30 · #12 05-13-2012, 06:30 PM

I have done it before, but I am really bad at it, the shifts feel like the trans is gonna explode