Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) shifting with a 6 speed

[Bigbadblue]

A co-worker who owns a Phurd Powerpuke told me that he doesn't start his truck out in 2nd but in 3rd when he is running empty and told me that I wouldn't need to either. I find that when I do start out in 3rd that the MIGHTY CUMMINS does seem to have a lot of power to get me going but I am wondering if I am putting a lot of undue stress on the engine and transmission.



Any insight or comments would be greatly(and timely)appreciated.



Thanks.



Jeff

 

[mikel]

I wouldn't worry too much about the engine and transmission, but you are putting alot of stress and unnecessary wear on the clutch. It's your truck, drive it like you want, but I always use 2nd if empty and on flat land and 1st if on a hill or loaded.



good luck,

Mike

 

[lschultz]

Don't believe everything them bord boys tell you. You know how the brag and exaggerate the truth.

 

[Boondocker]

check your owner's manual

When in doubt, check your owner's manual. It says to start in 2nd if empty and 1st under load. Works for me.

 

[Bigbadblue]

Thanks for the replies... ... ... ...

 

[csevers]

yea right!

I didn't think the 7. 3 had enough bottom end hp to get rolling starting in 3rd? I have driven them and thaught that 2nd was only O K but 1st was better ? Or is it just me?

 

[kshimizu]

A powerjoke starting out in 3rd? Who's kidding who now. Maybe if you roll through a stop sign and it would still be struggling on the low end. The first time I drove a ford 6 speed a long time back I didn't take the time to notice the shift pattern. Driving dodges all the time I rarely start in 1st, always 2nd. So when I hopped in the ford and went to take off, I thought I was in 2nd, but actually 3rd the way it's set up and the truck stalled on me.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

The ford guy is full of it. I have driven a ford with the ZF 6 speed and i am sure it can be done however you would have to slip the hell out of the clutch. Even my old first gen which has way more idle torque than just about anything out there would struggle if i started in 3rd. The first thing i noticed about the powerjoke is that if you start out in second with your foot off the gas it will kill the motor. Not so with the cummins

 

[Tomscreek]

I have a 6 speed with 355 gears and 285 tires. No way should you try to use 3rd for starting. Maybe if you have 4:10's but even then I think it's way hard on the clutch. I use 1st all the time if I'm on any kind of grade and not in a hurry to get going, it just bumps the truck and gets it rolling with almost no clutch slip. And actually I haven't noticed any effects of going to 285 tires, feels the same as the stock 265 Michelins did. I'm sure the Cummins would start in 4th but it's the clutch that takes the punishment.