How many of you....

[TomGolden]

I'll second PAYCHECK's post. It even specifically says to do this in my owners manual.

Tom

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Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, K&N RE-0880 & pre-filter, no silencer ring, Armacoating bed liner, TDR decal, Jack holiday antenna ball

NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[Pete Peterson]

B 101, If I try to take off in 1st gear I'll never get to where I'm going!! #ad
#ad
!!

Second gear with the ETH/DEE and 4:10's is perfect to take off in until your over 5 or 6 thousnd pounds #ad
..... Pete

 

[Alan Reagan]

2nd but I have a six speed. First is a real granny with 4. 10s.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Molded Running Boards

 

[roadranger]

First gear always- just LOVE slickin' thru them gears! #ad


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Deezul Doug-2001. 5 ETH/DEE,QC 4x4,3. 54 anti,
Tow/Camper,Westin SS Step Bars,relocated breather.

Tow #1 - 6x12 Interstate inclosed cargo trailer.
GVW 7500
Tow #2 - Starcraft camper trailer
GVW 4500

2001 Volvo S80T twin turbo

 

[Okie-Go]

2nd on flat ground. 1st if on a hill or dragging a trailer. Oh heck,sometimes I take off in 1st. I think it's fun shifting gears.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[fj40charles]

Ditto what everyone else is saying. Start off in second gear. Third gear if I'm rolling. Start in first on hill and with a loaded trailer.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the second gear on the 5 speed and 6 speed are the same.
I think 3rd, 4th, and 5th are different.

Hope this helps. .
Charles


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2000 QC 2500 4x4 LWB ETC 6 Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow, DD1's, Practical Solutions boost module
=========================
1969 Toyota FJ40
350 TBI, Turbo 400, ARB lockers front/rear, 4 wheel power disk brakes, 4. 88 ring/pinion, 3 speed transfer case, full roll cage, Warn 8274, MRT 36 bolt beadlocks with Super Swamper Boggers (16x35x15), Saginaw Power steering, custom bumpers/fenders/nerf bars. Conquered Tellico and going to Moab this May. Loves to be pulled behind the Dodge and pass the powerjokes going up hills.

 

[Wheaties]

1st if I forget

2nd when I remember

3rd if I'm rolling and can remember and find it

(The truck is about a week old)

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Matthew Wheaton
Danbury, CT

'01 2500 Black Quad Cab SLT LB ETH DEE 4x4 3. 54LSD, Tow, Camper, & Snow Plow Packages
--not even a pine scented deodorizer hanging from the mirror

 

[Michael Hughes]

I start in 1st. I checked my manual and it said in there to use 1st. I find if I start off in 2nd, the engine is lugging.

I had a 97 2500HD gaser, and in the manual for it, it said to use 2nd if not loaded.

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1999 2500 ST LB 4X4 Metallic Red, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, LSD, camper and tow package

 

[Archive]

I start out in "D" . That frees me up to spend more of my time scoping out my next PSD Victim. #ad


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1999 White SLT Dually Auto 4:10 Posi. NOT BOMBED... ... ... ... (very much) 28,000 miles

[This message has been edited by TopFuel (edited 03-30-2001). ]

 

[Nemies]

I usually start in 1st, but if I'm moving AT ALL, I'll use 2nd. Once in a while I'll start in 2nd from a stop.

1st is pretty useless empty, but it's just habit for me, I guess.


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Kees C.
99, 4x4, 2500, 5spd, HD, LSD, SB, QC, Sport, Forest-Green, Cab-Lights
Rhinoliner, toolbox, dual Firestiks

[This message has been edited by Nemies (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

[BV]

1st so I can get the frame to twist and scare the imports next to me #ad
. Boy I love that torque.

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'99, 2500, QC, blah, blah & blah

 

[Murle]

Been driving standard shifts for 35 years. Start out in 2nd unless I'm pulling a load.

 

[John Berger]

1st gear most of the time, 2nd once in awhile, never first thing in the morning. I start my truck, let it idle 20-30 second and then creep out the driveway and down the street in first. Good way to get the rear end gears and transmission warmed up a bit before getting moving.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[merryman]

2nd unless real steep or big load

Vaughn

 

[roycrown]

1st gear unless I am on a slight downgrade, then 2nd.

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'99 2500 ST 4X4, 5spd. , 3. 54, black/drftwood, camper pkg. , carpeting, rear slider, air dam, DC diamond plate running boards and rear flaps, Jacobs E-brake, Draw-Tite reciever, Tekonsha Voyager, 2wd Lo Kit.

 

[klenger]

I start in 2nd gear unless towing or I forget and put it in first by mistake. IMHO, I think that 1st gear starts cause more clutch wear as it's one more shift each time you start.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[MCummings]

I noticed a while back that alot of guys with Dodge Cummins and 5-Speed Transmissions were starting off in 2nd Gear. The 12Valvers seem to do it More often than the 24valvers
I was wondering. .

Which Gear do you prefer to start rolling in, 1st, or 2nd ?

Me and My Dad always start off in 1st Gear, but my Cousin ('92 Cummins w/4. 10's) always starts off in 2nd.

Merrick N. Cummings Jr.

P. S. My Dad has never had to replace a clutch in any of his trucks,,
'92 Cummins w/80K miles <<(now cousins truck)
'96 with w/90K miles
'98. 5 w/100+K miles

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1998. 5 Dodge 3500, 2wd
5-Speed, Light Driftwood
Replaced the Resonator and Muffler with 6ft of 3" Aluminized pipe.
3. 55 rear-end
A. R. E. Camper
Michelin 245/75/16's

 

[PAYCHECK]

I start off in 2nd when empty on flat ground. I use first when loaded or on a hill.

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01 2500HD QC,SB,3. 54,5 spd,4X4,241HD,SLT+,Sport all black,fully loaded,all leather htd,jacobs e-brake,tow pack,camper pack,,full rhino lining bed and rocker panels,265/75r16 BFG ATs ko,nerf bars,everthing black,4'' Jardine,ultra lite pyro & boost on a-pillar,EZ,NO stickers except cummins on door,License plate-1 CUMN, NRA endowment life member

 

[MikeR]

For decades the use of granny gear has been the same... that rule hasn't changed. I start in 2nd unless going up something steep.
The 95 older Dodges use to have 1st gear labeled as 'Low' and 2nd gear was labaled as '1st' on the shift knobs. I wouldn't take what the owners manual says to heart... heavens it couldn't be incorrect! #ad


-Mike

 

[madams]

ditto;

Stock, 5sp, 3:54 . . 2nd empty and flat.

1st when I want to creep in bumper-to-bumper traffic, towing or starting from zero up a hill or steep driveway.

Almost 25k miles and one year . . no problems yet.

Michael

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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups . . SunnyBrook 33FKS Travel Trailer

my photos