The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 2 speed axle question

So I came across this truck manual and was trying to figure out how this two speed axle works. I have an all original 6400 54' chevy truck, it has a two speed axle button, but I don't think it is hooked up.

Anyway, they recommend putting it in the higher axle when over 50mph, I would be stunned if this truck could go that fast LOL. anyway, they say while up to speed I am assuming - 1.flip selector at any time, 2. raise foot for 2 seconds and depress (I am assuming the gas pedal?? 3. No need to depress clutch. So what is telling the axle to get into the other set of gears? I couldn't imagine it being the gas pedal, I would think the clutch and the "selector" button. Anyway, not that I'll be trying this anytime soon, because I have no brakes except e-brake, but I would be curious to how the 2 speed axle works. thanks

the button actuates it, letting off the gas allows the 'slack' in the gear set needed for the change see here [scroll to the bottom]

Bill

If you look on the back of your speedometer you will see a module that also is part of this process it has a little wire going down to the 2-speed controller.

You can shift from low axle to high axle in any gear. In fact that is how we got 8 speeds with a 4 speed transmission and 10 speeds out of a 10 speed. And yes, they will go over 50 MPH. Wind noise, fan noise, and solid lifter noise and no insulation makes them noisy and a lot of people are scared to drive them with all that noise going on. I spent lotsa hours at 60 MPH+ in one of those things 50 years ago.

Thanks fellas, lovin every minute of this knowledge. The thread got moved to bigbolts, I was thinking of putting it there, but just thought this was a general question and more folks would see it on the general talk. But I am glad it is over here, since it is a bigbolt for sure.

I haven't investigated yet, but this would be the 261 ci engine?
I literally haven't even tried to look at the vin code yet. Or is there a slight chance it still could be the 235, since in 54' they had the 261 as an option in that year.

the fact that my trucks are vacuumed controledthey work the same way. i split shift all the time with the ashton due to its weight and the dump with a load in it. its so cool when your going thru the gears with someone watching it blows thier mind . even though ken is a pro i like to pretend that im a pro until i blow a shift which happens on occasion when down shifting. in a hurry im humbled

I took my father in law for a ride in 'Tater this summer, he was watchin me go though the gears with that hi/lo switch on the shifter in fascination. Havin the switch on the knob messes with some passengers as it's obvious I just changed gears, but didn't move the lever.

The decal that was on my truck says, when going from low to high, to switch to HI, depress the clutch & release the throttle and engage the clutch. Pretty much like shifting gears. I can tell if I caught high in the rear I hear/feel it thunk as the shifter sleeve engages. Downshifting is still a bit tricky, but I do enjoy driving my old beast.