My Willys 3A and 3B Community

TECH FAQ SECTIONS => EVERYTHING ELSE, General tips => Topic started by: Kirkski on October 27, 2015, 11:48:47 AM

Title: Driving a 3A
Post by: Kirkski on October 27, 2015, 11:48:47 AM
So, having never actually driven a 3A under power, or any older Jeep for that matter. What will be the proper 2 wheel drive shift arrangement? I am assuming left shift on Transfer case in the "Out" position and then the right shift in "Neutral"??

Thanks sorry for the elementary issue, but I need to ask... Will be test driving within a few weeks I hope.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on October 27, 2015, 12:09:49 PM
Neutral on the high range/ low range lever...the short lever... will not deliver power to the wheels...

Normal 2 wheel drive is the longer right side lever forward, and the short one all the way back. Then you just don't mess with those levers unless you need 4 wheel drive..

Hubs unlocked if you have them.

Remember no syncro in first gear so you must be at a full stop to shift into first....

And don't get any bugs in your teeth because you are gonna have a big smile on your face!! ;D
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: athawk11 on October 27, 2015, 12:41:59 PM
That's alright Kirkski.

To this day I occasionally have to look at the dash plate...even after 4 years of driving it. :) 

(http://www.novak-adapt.com/images/pics/transfer_cases/Bantam_Model_18_diagram_plate.JPG)



Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Kirkski on October 27, 2015, 01:32:45 PM
Ok cool thanks guys!!

I'm going to be smiling so much I'll get face cramps I'm sure!! I am so ready
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Jeff_M on October 28, 2015, 07:08:54 AM
Quote
Remember no syncro in first gear so you must be at a full stop to shift into first....


Unless you know how to double-clutch. 
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Ryan_M on October 28, 2015, 07:23:37 AM
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Unless you know how to double-clutch.

I think a "how-to" video for the benefit of this forum may be in order next time you're up. Then, maybe if I watch it enough too, I'll actually be able to do it successfully.....
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: BMIC on October 28, 2015, 12:10:56 PM
Kirkski, congrats on getting to this point... As I rolled down the road on my first trip my mind was filled with what did I forget to tighten or put a cotter pin in.

Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Jeff_M on October 31, 2015, 08:54:18 PM
Quote
Quote
Unless you know how to double-clutch.

I think a "how-to" video for the benefit of this forum may be in order next time you're up. Then, maybe if I watch it enough too, I'll actually be able to do it successfully.....

That actually might not be a bad idea.  I just checked, and there is virtually nothing on Youtube about this.  The subject seems to come up here quite often.  May have to wait until spring at this point, though.  We'll see.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: macrisel on November 03, 2015, 11:43:40 AM
Quote
Quote
Unless you know how to double-clutch.

I think a "how-to" video for the benefit of this forum may be in order next time you're up. Then, maybe if I watch it enough too, I'll actually be able to do it successfully.....

Learning how to double clutch definately takes some time and skill!  The hardest part is matching the RPM on the downshift clutch to match the ground speed.  I have become decent at it, but still grind gears once in a while.....especially if I'm still moving too fast.  I have my best luck when I force myselft to wait until my groundspeed is around 5mph or so.

Have fun with it!  I bet less than 10% of the US population can still drive a stick......of that I bet there are VERY few that can double clutch successfully!  If you look at the under 30 crowd........hardly anyone could even START a vehicle with a standard transmission! ;D
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: aboyandhisdog on November 03, 2015, 12:49:48 PM
I would sure be interested in learning to clutchX2.  On the FCT and BHR events that I've attended, I always have to stop (or nearly stop) in order to shift to 1st.  I double clutch but still get a bit of grinding.  Yet I see a lot of the other guys and gals shifting to 1st on the fly.  Don't know if they are doing it right or ruining their tranny, but it is something that sometimes you just have to do.  I've asked a couple of the guys about it and as best I can tell, the consensus is that a bit of grinding is no big deal.  I have trouble accepting that grinding is ever something you would do unless absolutely unavoidable (if even then).

To those of you who have opened up their trannys, what are you seeing?  Does 1st gear generally show a lot of damage?

Would love to see a video on this.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Jeff_M on November 03, 2015, 05:57:04 PM
If Ryan_M sees this he may be able to post a pic of the first gear he replaced in his 3A, which in 60 years I can guarantee saw lots of grinding.  In the whole scheme of things, I guess it wasn't all that bad. 

I've looked more thoroughly thru youtube and have not found any videos about downshifting/double-clutching 3-speed tranny into first, which is too bad because the 3-speed was the transmission of choice for domestic manufacturers from the 20's right through the 70's. 

With some instruction a lots of practice it's not difficult to downshift into first pretty much grind-free.  I'll see if I can prevail on my videographer/Jeep owner to assist me in making an instructional video, which I believe is needed. 
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: bretto on November 04, 2015, 07:47:44 AM
Every picture I've seen of an well used 1st/rev gear is pretty worn at the ends.  With it being a straight cut design, it will still work well once engaged and won't be popping out of gear like a worn out #2 gear circuit.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Ryan_M on November 04, 2015, 10:28:04 AM
Quote
If Ryan_M sees this he may be able to post a pic of the first gear he replaced in his 3A, which in 60 years I can guarantee saw lots of grinding.� In the whole scheme of things, I guess it wasn't all that bad.�
�

Ask and you shall receive. It's been the official paperweight on my workbench since I fished it out of the T-90 four years ago.

(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/51%20Willys%20Jeep%20CJ3A%20Rehab/SANY8388.jpg)
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: athawk11 on November 04, 2015, 12:13:59 PM
Ouch.  Someone was really mean to that gear.  :o

Tim
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on November 04, 2015, 02:05:45 PM
Double ouch...maybe I don't need to downshift into first....
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: athawk11 on November 04, 2015, 03:27:39 PM
I try to avoid downshifting into 1st, but on the rocky steep trails, you almost have to do it while moving.  I clutch out of 2nd...try to feather the throttle up a bit then slide into 1st.  Problem is...I'm not good a feathering the throttle. ;D
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: aboyandhisdog on November 04, 2015, 03:34:51 PM
Hi Tim,  I'm sure we've both had to get to 1st on the fly at exactly the same point on the same trails!  There are just times you don't have an option.  I actually will pause in neutral for a quick clutch in and out and then with revs at idle, pull it into 1st as quick as possible.  Usually good results, but I would like to refine this technique if possible.  Just hearing (and feeling) that gear clash really burns my biscuits!
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: bretto on November 04, 2015, 04:03:42 PM
And you hope no one hears it.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: RICKG on November 04, 2015, 05:17:08 PM
Quote
, but on the rocky steep trails, you almost have to do it while moving.�


This is where splitting 1st gear with the OD really come in handy!
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: Mark W. on November 18, 2015, 06:16:51 PM
LOL in High school I remember banging the tranny between 1st and reverse to try to get unstuck MANY times. We did horrible things to that tranny and it never failed to run down the road or across the trails.

I drive a Kenworth chassis Dump truck and trailer with a 13spd Road ranger for a construction company and we are HARD on our trannys just due to the nature of the work we do. Most of our trucks are pretty much without a clutch break a month or two into the 8 month season. So theres lots of grinding. The thing to remember is not to try to force your way through the grinding but to grind lightly while feeling your way into gear.
Title: Re: Driving a 3A
Post by: johnrb3b on November 23, 2015, 05:41:52 PM
Having grown up in Iowa farm country and learning to drive on tractors, double clutching was just part of the drill. Every shift on a tractor was double clutched - no synchros - none.
Of course most of the time you chose a gear and started off down the field because all but road gear were so low that you could start from a dead stop in all. But when pulliing a loaded feed wagon or hay rack, you had to start out in 1st, double up to 4th or 5th and once you got out of the field to the road, it was time for raod gear. Up shifting was easy.
Once you got to the barn and it was time to start down shifting, that's where the skill came in.

We also had a WWII surplus, 2 ton truck with a grain box on it. It was a 5 speed, no synchro tranny with a 2 speed rear end. What fun to stir that box. Every shift a double clutch with split shifting the rear end as well.
My grandpa didn't double clutch, just ground the gears together on every shift.� :( The rest of us learned to shift without a crunch.

I can drop the 3B or the Wagon into 1st at any speed below 10 mph. Above that it's kind of hit or miss.

Bring on the video.