Wheelin in a Stick

2800 Views 22 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Krookz, Sep 22, 2009

papabear050

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2009

I went to Ocotillo Wells over the weekend and took the taco out for some wheelin... I wasn't able to keep up with the Jeeps but that probably because I didn't wanna push it. But I noticed that I was burning my clutch up a bit when pushing up steep hills or slow crawling..

Hoping to get some tips to save the clutch while off roading.. I was in 4hi most the time. Wondering for slow crawling, I should be in 4lo and just idle around. What gear should I start out in when in 4Lo. 2nd? I also gunned it up a sttep sandy hill in 1st gear and 4lo and I think I redlined it. (Didn't even make it, but niether did the jeeps...hahah)

Man, I feel like I put it through alot because I don't really know how to off road.

Any tips to save my clutch.... I only stalled out twice because I didn't want to burn my clutch up anymore.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

johnecon2001

· #2 · Apr 7, 2009

When I'm wheeling I'll be in 4LO for the majority of the time. For descending I'll be in 1st gear. For going up shit depending on the terrain, I'll be in 2nd.
For cruising the majority of the trail I'll be in 4th/5th.

Our trucks will idle insanely low while in 4LO and 1st/2nd gear. Don't be afraid to stall it, if that happens and you're on an obstacle, just pull the e-brake and restart. Ask OakleyTRD, I stalled going down a rock hill. No biggie.

oakleyTRD

· #3 · Apr 7, 2009

johnecon2001 said:
When I'm wheeling I'll be in 4LO for the majority of the time. For descending I'll be in 1st gear. For going up shit depending on the terrain, I'll be in 2nd.
For cruising the majority of the trail I'll be in 4th/5th.

Our trucks will idle insanely low while in 4LO and 1st/2nd gear. Don't be afraid to stall it, if that happens and you're on an obstacle, just pull the e-brake and restart. Ask OakleyTRD, I stalled going down a rock hill. No biggie.

its true :lol:
happened right as i took this pic

I drive an auto and even i like to keep it in 4lo and use the gearing to control decent speed etc

same as john, Downhill its in low gear (1st)

up hill ill shift it up to 2nd and just cruising its in 4th or just Drive (5th)

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papabear050

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 7, 2009

Cool, whats the max speed you guys roll in 4Lo?

johnecon2001

· #5 · Apr 7, 2009

I try not to go over 20-25mph. No need for anything faster than that tbh.
If you're on a dirt road, take the time to stop, and switch into 4HI

el_smurfo

· #6 · Apr 7, 2009

Doesn't the manual even have hill start assist? In my previous Jeep understanding, that lets you start the car while in 1st gear, 4LO on a hill, clutch out.

papabear050

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 7, 2009

No, it does have the cancel clutch switch that does what yhou are saying thouihg. The hill start assist is on the TRD Offroad models in automatic.

I have the sport and a 6sp manual trannyy.

el_smurfo

· #8 · Apr 7, 2009

Ahh, got my terminology crossed. Regardless, seems to imply that most wheeling where you might stall should be done in 4L

oakleyTRD

· #9 · Apr 7, 2009

i would say most wheeling in general should be in 4lo

its easier

ycart1201

· #10 · Apr 7, 2009

go slow... and use 4lo... ^_^

Nathan
ycart1201

papabear050

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 7, 2009

4Lo FTW

blackhawke88

· #12 · Apr 7, 2009

oakleyTRD said:
i would say most wheeling in general should be in 4lo

its easier

4LO except for soft sand, where you want to be going fast in 4HI.

colvilletacoma

· #13 · Apr 8, 2009

I redline the F*** out of my automatic quite a bit. Well I use to, growing up now and more just focusing on fixing a lot of stuff on my vehicle and then not offroading it as hard as I use to. Cost too much to keep up. My truck is getting its transmission looked at today, along with an annoying squeek from my steering. My hound dogs take up too much of my time right now. Dont worry too much about redlining, just dont keep redlining it, let off after a second. Ive been stuck in feet of snow and it was necessary or the other option was walking out, also in mud. You will learn after awhile what you can and cant do. I just drive around in 2hi until I need to climb something super steep then put it in 4hi. Rarely do I have to use \4lo, thats either when I know I cant climb it in 4hi or im going down something too steep for my comfort. If theres anyone whos wheeled their truck pretty good its me, and im not bragging, its not a good thing, im sure people who collapsed their motor mounts know what im talking about (tacogrande/tacosupreme). Good luck, and dont worry about your clutch smelling too much, my buddy's 4runner has took abuse for years and he's only been through 1 clutch and we tortured that thing.

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briangp

· #14 · Apr 8, 2009

+1 for 4LO. My last truck was a stick and I always went 4LO wheeling. Gearing was just too bad for 4HI anyways and I was burning out my clutch that already had 227k on it.

johnecon2001

· #15 · Apr 8, 2009

I won't touch my brakes going down a hill, 4LO + 1st Gear FTW

yotamudking

· #16 · Sep 15, 2009

well if your wheelin in four low you can shift to second. at least i do and i get through some stuff

79Corona

· #17 · Sep 15, 2009

papabear050 said:
No, it does have the cancel clutch switch that does what yhou are saying thouihg. The hill start assist is on the TRD Offroad models in automatic.

I have the sport and a 6sp manual trannyy.

How does hill start assist work, and how is it engaged?

zmtnbik

· #18 · Sep 16, 2009

After a few years when you get the wheeling thing down you can install a doubler, then you will never need the gas pedal. Just put it in gear and idle over everything.

woody dog

· #19 · Sep 17, 2009

+1 for 4low when wheeling. 4hi is for snow coved roads and sand.

Wartsnuff

· #20 · Sep 17, 2009

I use 4lo almost all the time wheelin...

2nd and 3rd gears are great.. you can idle around 1000rpm still have enought torque to get you out of most situations.

its a lot easier on the truck and on you as well!

the clutch over ride switch is for climbing a rock.. so you don't over clutch it and pop over onto your rocker

you use your starter motor to bunt the truck over the rock!

cheers
Warts

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