MTFCA Forum

Good day all
Im new to model Ts. Just got my first on a couple of weeks ago.
How do I shift a Ruckstell?
When parked, the engine running and the parking brake set, can I just move the lever to change gears?
When driving down the road, do I push the left pedal in half way?
What is the correct procedure going up a steep hill?
Going down a hill can I shift into low to slow the car down?
Does improper shifting cause the Ruckstell to get stuck in neutral?
How does one get a Ruckstell unstuck?
I bought the book on Ruckstell but it doesn't cover shifting procedures.
Thanks for any advice.
Bye for now
Mike

Mike

With that 61 page Ruckstell Axle booklet printed by the club, pages 38 and 61 gives most of the tips for operating.

You can’t shift without the T running and able to roll, as the gears are in the rear axle driven by the engine.

Shifting uses both throttle to control road speed, and feather the low pedal to its neutral spot and quickly the make the shift.

You can’t shift up to Ford or down to Ruckstell going down hill. Stay in one of the other, as the T is ‘pushing’ the engine down hill.

You can shift down to Ruckstell going up hill, as the shift is always made with the engine ‘pulling’ the T. Do the shift at the lowest speed or grade of that hill climb.

Only damaged or worn parts put neutral risk with the Ruckstell, normal shifting won’t destroy the gears or shift link.

But, that stated, the Ruckstell adds more ‘stuff’ to the rear end that can make for lost of driveline, accessory outboard brakes to stop the rear wheels are most highly recommended and a real safety need.

This is how I shift my Ruckstell. When going up a hill and the car starts to bog down in Ford High, I quickly move the left pedal into neutral while I quickly pull back on the Ruckstell lever. As soon as it goes into Ruckstell gear, I release the clutch into high. While making this shift, I leave the throttle down, then adjust the speed after the shift is made.

When I am about to go down hill, before come to the steep grade while the engine is still pulling the car, I make the same shift as posted above, then after I am in Ruckstell I slow down the car by closing the throttle. Always make this shift while you are going at a speed which you could stop with the foot and hand brake before it gets steep. If you are already going down a steep hill, you can pump the low pedal and the brake and if slow enough, push the low down to lock it into Ford Low, but don't ever shift into the Ruckstell if you are already going down on compression. Make the shift before you descend the hill.

To shift back into Ford high, as you push the pedal into neutral, push the throttle all the way up and then push the Ruckstell lever forward. Then let out the clutch and adjust the throttle to the speed you wish to travel.

Sometimes I am on relatively level ground when I make the shift to Ruckstell. I live on a gravel road, and when I turn in from the paved road, while I am just creeping along, I make the shift down into Ruckstell. Same when running in a parade. In a parade, I pull back the parking brake into neutral, and just push the low to go forward, or the brake to slow down or stop, and coast along in neutral according to how those in front of me go. Sometimes I even zig zag in parades, or stop for a while and then when the people in front of me move up a ways, I go slow in low low to fill the gap.
I guess that covers about all I can think of about shifting. but the car must be moving at least a bit in order to shift.
Norm

Ok I'm a little confused as usual.
The manual being discussed is ‘ Glover E Ruckstell and the Ruckstell axle’ by Glen Chaffin? Or is there a mtfca manual? Ive looked for a mtfca manual on this web site but can’t find one.
Bye for now
Mike

Let me just ask as someone may know....is it anything like shifting a classic Bronco into 4 wheel low?

Hi mike, welcome to the hobby, may you enjoy the car as you explore the nuances and fun the T brings

Good day everyone
I have tried twice to order the mtfca manuals. The shopping web site doesn’t seem to work.
Can I call in an order?

I don't see why not, give them a call.