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Starting Gear for the NV5600

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Wheel bearing procedure?

rbattelle

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I've generally read on this sight that starting off in 2nd gear in the NV5600 is common practice. However, my owners manual recommends "using every gear without skipping any for increased clutch life" (or words to that effect).



Is it "safe" to start out in 2nd on level ground? What will this do to my clutch life? What has been others' experience?
 
Most NV5600 owners have indicated that they use 2nd gear starts as a rule. 1st is a granny gear for heavy loads and steep hills. I think you will come to the same conclusion after you drive your new truck for awhile.
 
There was a thread way back last year that discussed the same thing you are right now.



When one person came in and suggested that you would use the same about of clutch starting in 2nd as starting out in 1st and then having to shift 5ft later it was generally agreed upon and that was the end of that thread. :D
 
I use first unless rolling, pointing downhill, or there is traffic behind me. Most use second.



I'm at 128k on the original clutch and counting, so I believe the owner's manual is shooting straight info - using all gears maximizes clutch life. Is it a "big" difference? Probably not. I have a lot of highway miles, so I would get above average clutch life even with second gear starts.



The real question is, what's important to you? I value fuel economy and Max vehicle life, and drive accordingly. Others value less time shifting, getting up to speed quicker, or whatever, and are willing to pay a few pennies more per day for fuel, brake pads, clutches, etc. It's all about pursuit of happiness. :)



Probably a better tip would be, don't sit at stoplights with the clutch pushed in. Go to neutral, and let the clutch out.
 
Originally posted by HC

I use first unless rolling, pointing downhill, or there is traffic behind me. Most use second... . Probably a better tip would be, don't sit at stoplights with the clutch pushed in. Go to neutral, and let the clutch out.



Excellent suggestions. I just lately started doing more starts in second. I tend to do the same as HC and use first unless I am downhill or rolling.



I don't like how fast the truck takes off when you start in second. To me, it's too fast right in tight traffic and in parking lots and such.



If I am the first person at a light, I will often start in second.



The nice thing about starting in first is you can pretty much pop the clutch without hurting the clutch or dropping RPM much at all. I don't like the lugging sounds the engine makes on many 2nd gear starts.



To me, yes it sucks to have to shift so fast, but I feel in my gut that 1st gear starts are easier on the truck as a whole. The only real problem is that 1st is so short that it's hard to shift smoothly to second (there's a lot of engine braking if you don't time it right)



HOHN
 
My truck was near 130K miles "supposedly" on its original clutch, or that's what the guy that had it before me said (2nd owner, I'm 3rd).



Then I bought my TST clutch :{
 
I use 1st gear for the sound, I start in 2nd sometimes,, usually when in a little bit of a hurry (to avoid whiplash). 3rd gear starts are a bit on the "I'm really slippin' this clutch now" side of driving. 4th gear starts... My clutch doesn't like them, and 5th gear starts,, the clutch CAN'T hold 'em. ( I have a 6-speed)



I do 3rd gear starts,, usually at WOT 3,500 RPM, and a clutch dump,, I've done 4th a few times,, but usually the clutch won't grab unless I loose a little bit of traction (Water, pebbles, and whatnot) 5th gear starts won't even hold in rainy weather. Unless I'm rolling, and there is moving water on the road.



But for every day driving,, it depends on how I feel, wither 1st or 2nd,, most the time I choose 2nd.



Merrick Cummings Jr
 
I do 3rd gear starts,, usually at WOT 3,500 RPM, and a clutch dump,, I've done 4th a few times

On dry pavement??:--) :--) I don't think I have the guts (or a backup vehicle) to do that!

Do the tires just light up? or do you launch??
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by jwinnie

On dry pavement??:--) :--) I don't think I have the guts (or a backup vehicle) to do that!

Do the tires just light up? or do you launch??



Do the tires light up?? Yea. :D



To do 4th gear, I have to turn all the way to the left, and have something "loose" under my tires,, like a little sand, or a few pebbles,, once the clutch hooks, and the tires start spinning,, nothin' is stoppin 1,000Ft lbs. of torque, although, the ride can get a little wild, it sure is fun.



Just tonight I did 3 launches, and 6 burnouts all starting in 3rd gear, 3,500 RPM WOT. The burnout pit, and track was really bad,, I was spinning past the 60'. My BEST run was 14. 8 and a 14. 9, I was getting a 15. -- all night, I should have easily been in the low 14's, were I usually am, but traction was LOW. A couple 13 second cars could only muster 15's. I felt pretty good when an 11 second Camaro pulled up and said, "Man, I can only get a 15. 2, and I said, hehe, I just ran a 14. 87 :D"



I haven't broken anything YET at this power level. I'm just waiting for my South Bend Clutch to wear out so I can get a better one and put a few more ponies out :) but it sure is taking forever to wear it out, even when I'm almost 50HP over it's rating.



:D Have fun,

Merrick Cummings Jr
 
I really like to see their eyes when I opne the hood, and they are expecting to see some monster V-8 otor, and all they see is the little 359 Cubic Inch Straight 6 Turbo Diesel. Mine looks especially wimpy with a single turbo charger.



The only things that would say "modified" under my hood is my Mega-Cannon, a little glimpse of some SS fuel line, and maybe the ATS manifold... Otherwise, it looks like any other Dodge Cummins, until I hit the track :D



I need to get some video of my truck "In Action" Anybody want to donate some web space and a camera ? I'll provide the tires :D



Merrick Cummings Jr
 
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