SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DRIVE A CCKW DO YOU

[Joe Gopan]

You gotta keep at it, those close together transmission speeds and the 5 Speed Clark sliding gear transmission will let you know you need practice not to lug the engine and grind the gears. I ground a few yesterday going to and from the parade.
Promise to do better the coming year.

[mudflap]

My up shifts are usually pretty good, but my down shifts typically leave a lot to be desired. Still need more practice on those.

The guy I purchased my truck from gave me a good piece of advice. He said: "When driving a CCKW, never try to do anything in a hurry ."

This advice is especially appropriate when making that 2-3 shift during those long left turns across multiple traffic lanes. Your inclination is to try and make the gear change as quickly as possible, but if you try shifting too fast, you grind the gears or even miss the shift altogether.

Best to just take it easy, and everything works out OK.

Best Regards....

[Joe Gopan]

And each CCKW has it's own feel. I have driven some that shifted so smooth you would swear it had synchros. The Army bought a fleet of 1955 GMC Model 424 V 2 Ton 4X2 Commercial Stake Body trucks with 5 speed Sliding Gear Clarks. They shifted just as lousy.