Proper use of 5x2 transmission

[Jeff244]

My brain hurts

I have read the replies several times and it does make more sense each time, unfortunately I can't drive the truck until I get insurance (and license) on it and that may take a week or 2 because I am getting several quotes for the truck and the business I am starting.

I'm sure it is more complicated in my head than it will be in reality. I think for the most part, it would make sense to leave it in low range when pulling a trailer or loaded. I can practice switching the high and low when the truck is empty.


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Builder]

My brain hurts

I have read the replies several times and it does make more sense each time, unfortunately I can't drive the truck until I get insurance (and license) on it and that may take a week or 2 because I am getting several quotes for the truck and the business I am starting.

I'm sure it is more complicated in my head than it will be in reality. I think for the most part, it would make sense to leave it in low range when pulling a trailer or loaded. I can practice switching the high and low when the truck is empty.


Thanks,
Jeff

It's way easier than you think. Really, don't sweat it. Many, many trucks that pull backhoes everyday have a straight 5 speed or 6 speed and get the job done.

 

[Stimw]

Something I just remembered, First gear is granny gear. You rarely use it. You start off in second gear. Think of it as a regular four speed.
I had to deliver a semi trailer that was way overloaded once. I was driving an International single rear axle with 5-2. The mud flaps were dragging the ground. There were two cars in front of me at a traffic light. I was in first/low, the light turned green, the two cars left and before I could get to the intersection the light changed to red!!! I managed to get through the light the next time.
5-2's are not that hard, it's one of those things that I could show you in 5 minutes but after an hour of talking about it you would still be uncertain. If you know someone to show you, you will be way ahead.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Another thing you can do initially is drop to the next lower gear with the splitter in high range and once there, give it a just a little throttle then make your split. Let off then throttle it again. It should make the split.

Explaining the correct amount of time to let off, split, and then to throttle again is near impossible. Not to fast, not to slow. Starting with no load on the truck, practice the split to the low side in around the highest two gears with your RPM's about 1/4 of the normal operating range. Let's say that the range is 1000 to 1400. At 1100 RPM drop the gear, give it some throttle then let off, make your split. Do this on a relatively level road and let us know how it goes from there.

Once you get a feel for that, then try dropping the gear and making your split.

 

[Skyco]

Man this thread brings back memories! When I was about 17 I had an after school job at an industrial distributor. One afternoon the regular delivery driver was out and they had an urgent delivery to make...so I got put into a big straight drive truck and sent out on my way...
It had that electric axle shift controller on the stick. I'd never seen or heard of that before. By the time I got back though I'd figured out what it was and how to work it

 

[Jeff244]

I found this video on youtube showing how to use the 2 speed button. I like the way he pushes the button down with the side of his hand while he is shifting. It appears that he doesn't use the clutch to up shift the 2 speed button. Too bad the video doesn't show him downshifting.

YouTube - Shifting a 5 and 2



Jeff

 

[deereguy]

I had this same question a year ago when I bought a truck and searched all over Google looking for an answer. A neighbor finally said if your loaded- leave it in low range, empty- use high range. It seemed to work but sucked down the fuel when loaded- but it has a bunch of weight behind it so fuel economy wasn't really a concern.

 

[Stimw]

The video shows him shifting wrong. He skipped 5-lo. You go 4-lo, 5-lo, then 4-hi, 5-hi. Something in the ratios that makes that pattern. I've never understood why but after over a dozen vehicles including GMC, Ford and Internationals they all shifted this way.

 

[kevinj]

The video shows him shifting wrong. He skipped 5-lo. You go 4-lo, 5-lo, then 4-hi, 5-hi. Something in the ratios that makes that pattern. I've never understood why but after over a dozen vehicles including GMC, Ford and Internationals they all shifted this way.

That is only if you have a high 4th tranny. There are many that are 1 thru 5 with high/low on each gear.