CDavis9

Well I've been driving a five speed since I first started driving legally I'm only 18 start driving at 16.5 here but I got tired of pushing the clutch in so I've been "floating gears" as some call it. I don't force the gears in only 3rd requires a little jiggle to get in. But sometimes I mess up and grind a bit not hard I stop after I know it's not going to go in and use the clutch. I know some big rig drivers use this technique but any idea what will happen to a M5OD overtime?

Rusty but trusty

Grinding = damage. Just use the clutch, that's what it's for.

ncranchero

It's good practice every once in a while though. I've had to drive mine home twice with no clutch because of the problems I was having with he pedal tree bushings/clutch m. cylinder rod/bushings.

CDavis9

It's not like I grind it on purpose it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it 3rd gear is tricky for me

olie

Get an automatic.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Or start shopping for another transmission. Sooner or later it's just not going to want to shift - it likes having the clutch in.
But as long as you have a backup trans waiting, no harm, no foul.
But really, if you're already bored with pushing the clutch, get an automatic - that's why they invented them.

ncranchero

Carefully done you'll not grind gears and the 4.9L is such a low RPM motor if you miss the shift just drop the RPM's until it slides in.

I only occasionally will do this but as I stated, as practice. My 88 Ranger was extremely easy to do.

Keep that trans full of Mercon though!

unit505

You need to check your shifter forks and shifter bushings. I was having trouble shifting from wore out shifter bushings and forks. Replaced them, after one of the forks finally broke, and she shifts like a brand new truck.