From what I've been told it's actually easier on the tranny to shift like this. It's the rest of the drivetrain that it's hard on like the rear end, flex disks, tranny mounts, etc.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k