first gear

[41/53dodges]

is it normal not to be able to go into 1st gear when moving? my truck just grinds gears if i try that, but its fine in 2nd and 3rd, and downshifting between them,

[Young Ed]

Yes thats pretty normal. They expected you to make complete stops back then Only time its in issue is when you are just about to stop and the light changes back to green.

[Merle Coggins]

Traffic lights weren't a problem back then.

I don't have a 3 speed, but as I understand it 1st gear has no syncros.

[Young Ed]

Correct Merle. Both my car and truck are like this. You gotta stop completely.

[Don Coatney]

Correct Merle. Both my car and truck are like this. You gotta stop completely.

My car slides easily into first gear without stopping.

[Young Ed]

My car slides easily into first gear without stopping.

My next truck will. Planning to start putting it together next spring.

[Reg Evans]

I can down shift into first with my 3 speeds but have to slow way down to about 5 miles an hour and rev the engine way up. No grinding about 75% of the time. The other 25% =

[Merle Coggins]

Josh,

Maybe I sould let you drive my truck and you'll appreciate the 2 gears you have that ARE syncronized. I can't shift up or down with out double clutching, and downshifts also require an engine rev to match the gear speeds. Tricky.

Merle

[TodFitch]

Yes thats pretty normal. They expected you to make complete stops back then Only time its in issue is when you are just about to stop and the light changes back to green.

You just have to "double clutch" it.

And you get more practice double clutching if none of the gears are synchronized.

[greg g]

It a non synchronized first gear. To engage 1st gear when the vehicle is moving you need to match the speed of the vehicle with the rpms necessary for that speed in 1st gear, then the gear will engage without grinding. Also in typical unsynchroized transmission 1st gear sets are straight cut while 2nd and thirs are helically cut for easier meshing while in motion. Also quieter operation while engaged.

[41/53dodges]

Josh,

Maybe I sould let you drive my truck and you'll appreciate the 2 gears you have that ARE syncronized. I can't shift up or down with out double clutching, and downshifts also require an engine rev to match the gear speeds. Tricky.

Merle

try racing with a dirtbike with neutral between each gear. thats really crappy when trying to jump something and you grab a whole fist full of neutral!