Thoughts/comments/suggestions on floating gears.

[Sycostang67]

How well do you gear floaters manage with a ZF? I used to float my old 4spd with no problems, but the ZF seems a little stiff. I guess I'm still getting used to the different RPMs of a diesel. When I change gears, theres no grinding, but it doesn't change as easily as I'm used to. I can't for the life of me hit 5th without the clutch.

 

[punkmechanic]

zf's arent designed to float gears. It is possible to do in emergency situations, just keep in mind that a zf is not only a royal pita to rebuild its also expencive. Use the clutch and it will last you a LOOOONG time.

punk

 

[The Warden]

zf's arent designed to float gears. It is possible to do in emergency situations, just keep in mind that a zf is not only a royal pita to rebuild its also expencive. Use the clutch and it will last you a LOOOONG time.

punk

+1 on what he said. Floating gears on a ZF is a great way to destroy the synchros, and rebuilding it's a royal PITA. I wouldn't float except in an emergency...

 

[towcat]

+2
floating gears is a good thing to know how to do. but do keep in mind the syncros for a zf are $450 for a set

 

[Sycostang67]

Well I'm dam glad I posted this then. I guess I'll stop, only been trying the last two days so hopefully no real harm done.

 

[EricW]

Good one Dan, sheesh... Don't think I've ever tried with my dad's truck (not that I need to worry about it now...), for that matter don't think I've tried with the '86...


There's a joke for the fifth gear issues, but I'll refrain...

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

did it all the time in my 4 speed, do it all the time in my spicer 6+, but not at all in my zf, in my old zf with bad syncros it was all but impossible

 

[dyoung14]

hmmm i havent ever had any trouble doing it in my dads old truck they come out and go right in no problem what so ever, my 4 speed as long as i tach it to 2800 in each gear it will come out and go right in no problem

 

[65sixbanger]

I did it through every gear the other day when my slave fell off...oops

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

It seems like T19's do it very easily, and do not have any adverse side effects from it.
ZF's on the other hand, no. Don't do it with one of those. They'll make you pay for it in the long run. I've only floated a ZF when I blew a clutch and needed to get it home.

 

[dyoung14]

mine seems exactly opposite of what everyone else says, my zf does it easier than my t-19

 

[bowedup2003]

My ZF shifts better floating the gears than using the clutch, been floating them since the repower 5 or 6 years ago w/ no problems.

Now my NV5600 in the Dodge, that's another story. They float smooth loaded, but unloaded unless you hit it dead on it won't shift.

Bowedup

 

[towcat]

do it all the time in my spicer 6+

those are also bad trannys to do that to. the gears are only surface hardened. many towdrivers with IH 4700's found out the hard way. The place I used to work for had six of these trucks. in three years, every single one but mime needed a rebuilt trans. the rebuilder used genuine spicer parts and left a warning note on every single rebuild with the old parts as proof.

 

[PowerbyFord]

The ZF in my 89 gasser loves to be double clutched.....smooooth sailing.

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

those are also bad trannys to do that to. the gears are only surface hardened. many towdrivers with IH 4700's found out the hard way. The place I used to work for had six of these trucks. in three years, every single one but mime needed a rebuilt trans. the rebuilder used genuine spicer parts and left a warning note on every single rebuild with the old parts as proof.

the one we have grinds more with the clutch that it does with out, but granted I only use the first 3 gears and top speed is limited to 15 mph where I use the truck