all 5-speed users

Jeff51 · #1 10-07-2001, 11:32 PM

What is everybodys shift point under NORMAL driving conditions? I usually shift between 3000 and 3500 rpm from 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 and to 5 when i've reached highway speed. Now like I've said before this depends on the speed limit, town or country driving. Thanks.

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Matt90GT · #2 10-08-2001, 12:00 AM

below 2K around town and normal driving.

When trying to go a bit faster to merge with traffic, about 2.5K

When towing I go 2.5-3K before shifts.

When passing, usually about 4-5K in 3rd gear @80

hades281 · #3 10-08-2001, 12:27 AM

Usually I shift between 1900 - 2300 rpms (Wouldn't have known that if I didn't have the digital tach... )

I have a question - If the instrument cluster already knows how many RPMs the motor is turning why didn't Ford spend the extra 3 cents and stick a needle on there? I bet even for the quantity the cost would be negligable because their order for the better instrument cluster would increase (and their larger bulk buy would equal less cost per cluster).

If any of these trucks deserve to have a tach, it's the ones with the 5 speed IMHO.

cpadpl · #4 10-08-2001, 08:42 PM

hades281

I have a needle tach...doesn't everyone? I didn't know a digital one was available...hmmm.... I like watching the needle go up and down with the vroom vroom.

Normal for me is like the others, circa 2000rpms. I have found the shift to be much easier on the synchs when I do that. Even during heavy acceleration, if I pause just a sec the RPMs drop fast, and my acceleration is really not adversely affected (for the particular task at hand, of course acceleration is adversely affected in a real sense).

Donate54 · #5 10-08-2001, 09:28 PM

during normal driving i shift around 3000 rmp's because i think my engine's peak torque is around there since thats when it pulls the hardest. when im trying to haul ass i shift around 4 or 4.5 k rpm's

.

hades281 · #6 10-08-2001, 09:57 PM

cpadpl,
Sadly not all F-150s come with the needle tach (I think your users manual may show a pic of the plain-jane instrument cluster? not sure) It looks just like the other except the speedometer is in the dead center and the gauges are closer in towards the center.
The digital tach is by using the odometer trick (holding the button down before cranking engine). The odometer displays diagnostic information including engine RPMs. It's the only way for us XL guys (there are a few XLs that do have tachs) to tell exactly how fast the motor is turning without going to an aftermarket tach.

I'd *like* to watch the needle go up and down...

Sucks huh?

R Bess · #7 10-08-2001, 10:29 PM

I shift at 2.5k in normal driving.
I think all SuperDuty's come with a tach..

bambino · #8 10-09-2001, 03:26 PM

Before 2200 rpms, but 3k when trying to move the thing. I'm hands down one of the slowest drivers in town, so that has to play a part too.

Bambino

SCAdien · #9 10-09-2001, 04:05 PM

2,500 to 3,000 in town. 4,800 when the road is clear and I want to make some noise (about 10 times per day). I've hit the rev limiter twice in 3rd while passing.

runnert · #10 10-09-2001, 05:11 PM

I try to accelerate slowly so to better increase my gas mileage. Most people behind me probably hate that, but I am usually bigger than they are. Anyway, I try to shift before 2000-2500. I drive partly highway and city. I usually will get over 18 mpg on 87 octane. I can get 19 mpg if I drive only highway and that's at speeds of 70 mph.

runnert

Hunt4Fun · #11 10-09-2001, 05:18 PM

Probably 1800 - 2200 90% of the time. If I'm going up a hill or trying to get moving because of conditions, maybe 3500 tops, but its rare.

I'm pokey by most people standards. I've found that it shifts much smoother if you slower between the gears. That 1/2 second pause helps in getting the synchros time to line up.

R101870 · #12 10-12-2001, 04:05 AM

I DON`T HAVE A TACH, SO I JUST WINE HER UP AND LET HER GO BOB

BroncoAZ · #13 10-12-2001, 04:20 AM

well, this may explain why my gas milage is worst than most of you. I usually shift between 3000 and 3500 in all gears while accelerating, lower when just cruising.

I really nailed the shift from first to second today while racing a V8 silverado. I wound out the little V6 to about 5,200 then almost power shifted it (actually got the clutch all the way to the floor and let off the gas about half way) chirping the tires into second. I shifted quickly into third and was still about 2 lengths ahead at 80 mph. I can't wait to get the superchip and magnaflow installed...

Mitch

fordman3 · #14 10-12-2001, 01:29 PM

I just got my very rare '98 F150 SC Lariat 4.6 4x2 5-speed about two months ago. I shift in the lower gears at 3000 to 3500. Is it just me, or should these trucks have to wind up to 3500 before they start to really "pull"? I'm beginning to wonder if my truck has a problem. I have almost NO accelerating power in second, to me probably the most critical gear when trying to move quickly. My truck just seems to "flatten out" (don't know any other way to describe it) in every gear. Why would a 5-speed truck have to wind up so much higher than an automatic to get the same acceleration, assuming they were in comparable gears? What could be wrong with my truck? I'm not getting a Check Engine light or anything. Am I alone in having this condition with this truck? The truck in my sig was my '97 auto that I installed a Powerdyne on, but even without the blower, the auto truck had lots more grunt with the same gears. I plan on putting the blower on the 5-speed, but I shouldn't have to do it just to keep up with the stock automatics. If somebody could please give me a hand... Thanks.

Matt90GT · #15 10-12-2001, 04:33 PM

change the plugs and wires. Also check for any brakes that are dragging excessively.