PossumF250
Registered User
So I saw the current discussion on shifting ZF5s the other day, and got to thinking about how I drive my truck with a 4-speed. It's a 1984 diesel, so it should be the diesel Borg Warner T19, with a 4.02:1 1st gear and 2.41:1 2nd gear. I've had it for about a year and a half now, and I always start out in 2nd when not off road, loaded down, or on a steep hill. When I first got it, I'd start in 1st, but I found myself slipping the clutch about as much (really not much at all) as when I started in 2nd, and shifting at no more than 5 mph. On top of that, I have to make the 1-2 shift very slowly to avoid grinding, so I loose a lot of momentum. I thought 1st was a granny gear anyway, and with 4.10 gears and 29" tires, starting in 2nd feels natural. Heck, I could get going in 2nd and get up to 3rd without touching the accelerator if I wanted to.
Now I'm wondering: is 1st really a granny gear? Is it bad to start in 2nd? What do y'all think and how do you drive your T19 trucks?
I'll also add that I thought 1st was unsynchronized because I absolutely CAN'T get into 1st when going more than about 1 mph without double clutching. There's no grinding or anything, I just can't get into gear. Doing a little research on the T19, I found out it is supposed to be synchronized in gears 1-4. So I'm not sure what to think about that either.
Now I'm wondering: is 1st really a granny gear? Is it bad to start in 2nd? What do y'all think and how do you drive your T19 trucks?
I'll also add that I thought 1st was unsynchronized because I absolutely CAN'T get into 1st when going more than about 1 mph without double clutching. There's no grinding or anything, I just can't get into gear. Doing a little research on the T19, I found out it is supposed to be synchronized in gears 1-4. So I'm not sure what to think about that either.