Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) using 1st gear

[shoveljunk]

Empty, 2nd all the time. 4. 10 gears no slipping even up hill. On flat ground 16,000 lbs. This truck will walk away from a dead stop clutch only no throttle, no slippage. . I use 1st gear when towing 5er or halling fire wood. Don't sweat it. If you don't slip or dump the clutch it will work just fine.

 

[TomGolden]

Like everyone else, I had always started in 2nd, unless going up a steep hill, towing or other need to go very sloooooooow. However, when I read the article in Issue 38 of the print TDR, I have been using 1st most everytime now. Since the article was written by South Bend Clutch (not Peter, but someone else), and I have the SBC clutch, well, I just figured they should know what they're talking about... ...



I guess time will tell for us all.



Tom

 

[John Berger]

I use second probably 60% of the time, 1st the rest. On cold mornings, I always start out in 1st. Lately, I've been using 1st to start just about all the time.

 

[Wiredawg]

Start in 2nd most of time

Gents:



I have 4. 10s and I start out in 2nd on level ground unloaded and 1st loaded, pulling my 16K lb 5th wheel, going up hill and moving in bumper to bumper traffic.



I read the article about starting in first and did it for a whil, but 2nd really seems to work better.



Wiredawg

 

[Bob Cochran]

Thanks I found out the answer I am doing it right with 4. 10's!!! Wiredawg 1st does work great for bumper to bumper traffic for sure. Oo. Love my 4. 10's I bought for towing not for speed.

 

[Motorhead]

I just put MINE in Drive and don't worry about it!!! Chris

 

[TBOB]

CLUTCH FIRST GEAR

DO THE MATH, 3:55 GEARS, BIG TIRES, 7000 LBS, THE CLUTCH LIKES 1ST GEAR. MAYBE WITH 4:10 GEARS, IT WOULD BE EASIER. I SUPPOSE YOU JUMP OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING RUNNING. IT'S HARD ON THE BODY. IF YOU LIKE TO JUMP START, BUY A SPORTS CAR. TBOB

 

[Pit Bull]

This discussion is funny. What, 80% of the members Bomb their trucks and now were worried about if we should start in 1st or 2nd gear because it might be hard on the clutch of a unloaded truck Come on guys:-laf Who's kidding who???

 

[MCummings]

I start in second gear most of the time. First is much to short.



1st gear is a wee short for gettin' down the road in heavy traffic.

2nd gear gets movin' quiet nicely, my 3500 doesn't have a problem keeping up with traffic using 2nd.



My Dad ALWAYS uses 1st gear, I've driven behind him several times, the problem is, he gets a quick launch, traffic gets movin' then everybody nearly piles into the back of him, then he shifts to 2nd gear and leaves everybody behind.



I've nearly rear-ended him twice, and I've had people lock up their brakes to keep from hitting the back of him with his quick launch and pause.



With an HX-40, 18cm exh. housing, and improperly big injectors, smoke can be bad with a heavy foot and 2nd gear starts, real bad. 1st gear is no fun, as soon as the clutch is out, it needs to go back in for the 1-2 shift. So I have determined myself to take off slow in 2nd gear, and be light on the Go Pedal.





With an inhuman amount of torque at idle, 1st or 2nd gear starts unloaded shouldn't really make much of a difference. Just don't rev 'er up and let the clutch out. Idle her out until the clutch is fully engaged, then ease, or romp into it,, whatever your preference of driving style is.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[athompson]

If you're that worried about clutch wear...

you shouldn't be bombing your truck. Clutch wear has never been much a concern to me, ever. I've changed two clutches in 25 years. Neither one needed to be replaced, but the circumstances made it prudent. The vehicles wear out first (I hoping the Ram will be the exception to that).



One was on a 12 years old VW. I was rebuilding the engine (bombing actually, but that's another story). I changed the clutch, even though it was less than half worn.



The second was a 20 year old Ranchero. The release arm need to be welded back together. Since I had the transmission out, I changed the clutch, even though it was only about half worn.



Don't think that I didn't drive them all hard. I lost first gear in one car before I ever had clutch problems. Fortunately, like my Ram, I could start it in second, too.



As for my Ram, now that the grid heater is running in the morning (boy does it suck the power), my first start or two in the mornings are in first. Once the alternator is putting out 14volts again, it's back to second gear starts.

 

[krs]

This is a question?



"Second " gear is first gear and the other is compound low - only for use when loaded heavy, pulling stumps, or if you need to get out and stretch your legs.



Anyhow, that's what my father taught me with our produce truck forty years ago.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by kshine

This is a question?



"Second " gear is first gear and the other is compound low - only for use when loaded heavy, pulling stumps, or if you need to get out and stretch your legs.



Anyhow, that's what my father taught me with our produce truck forty years ago.

I think your right.

 

[tarussell]

I am with Kshine & Pit Bull ; in my opinion if you "need" to use granny gear to start off when un-loaded, then you need more gear reduction in the drive axle . My thoughts are that compound low gear is for going really slow or to get a heavy load moving w/o slipping the clutch.

Thomas

 

[Mark Baker]

I love to run the gears, so I only start in 2nd when feeling lazy. Besides if worried about clutch-life; after take-off, don't use it! Interestingly, I did an 1/8th mi run 3/10th's quicker starting in 1st as opposed to 2nd, guess getting the RPM's up sooner was the key. My $. 02

 

[Pit Bull]

I look at it this way, stock truck, stock power, I also know how to use a clutch and how to shift. Worse case I wear my clutch out in 3 or 4 years and have a SBC clutch installed Big deal.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

If you are bombed then what difference does it make. You are hard on you clutch, transmission,driveshaft, rear pumpking and ou ya you motor mounts. Your clutch will last longer if you take the city bus to work. I agree with PitBull--- who are we kidding.



I am going to up-shift, dwn-shift, short shift, long-shift as I see fit. If that wears the clutch out I will just replace it. I am not going to drive only on the best roads just so I don't wear out my shocks and tires either. Lets be real here

R,

Andy

 

[Bob Cochran]

Interesting!!! As my dad used to say just becuase everybody else jumps off a cliff or something like that? Really it is a free world and we all can do what we want. Who are we kidding, no one just like to make the parts last longer. I am not bombed and don't intend to at this point. Did not knowI had to be for membership in TDR:{