2nd most of the time, but 1st if I see I'm going to be stopping soon and just want to crawl, or the first thing in the morning leaving the carport and heading down the driveway.

 

i'll start in 1 or 2 unloaded depending on how traffic is going to get going and if i feel like shifting lots. i never start in 3rd though as i don't give the engine any throttle input until my foot is off the clutch [unless i am playing in the snow or the occasional race off the lights].

 

I would of never guessed that many people start in second. Thanks for the imput!

 

I realize that this is the resource of last resort, but the owner's manual states: "Damage to the clutch can result from starting in 2nd or 3rd gear with a loaded vehicle. Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear... For improved clutch life, all six forward gears should be used... You should use low gear when starting from a standing position if under a heavy load."

I follow this advice. I start in 2nd when unloaded, only applying the accelerator after the clutch is completely engaged, accepting that it may slightly decrease my clutch life. If I'm loaded, I start in first. I don't see how it's possible to skip gears without dropping RPM's below 1600 and thus lugging the engine on acceleration. As for accelerating into traffic, I can get up to speed pretty quickly for an 8000 pound truck by just zipping through the gears from 2nd to 6th. There's never any problem at all with freeway ramps. I recently hauled some equipment on a trailer amounting to about 10,000 lbs, and left everyone behind on an uphill freeway ramp, using all six gears.

 

It should go without saying that if you do have any clutch issues and take it in for warranty work (not sure if clutches are covered under the drivetrain warranty), that you read the owners manual instructions very clearly and recite them verbatim to the dealer service manager when asked "how do you operate the clutch?". Give them the "I always start out in first, I never skip gears, I always use all forward gears ..... yada yada yada..."

 

clutch isn't covered past 1 year/12,000 miles. past that, no warrenty on clutch [or brakes]

 

I just glanced at my warranty booklet. It reads: "Manual transmission clutch parts are not covered at any time."

 

I start in second, unless Im stopped on a very steep hill.. just like the control of being able to not roll backwardat all, or if Im hauling a heavy load, which is all of abotu once a year.
Scott

 

I, also, remember reading the same post that HOHN read, by Peter of Southbend Clutch. He did recommend first gear launches, all the time, for preservation of the clutch.

Normally, I do start in first gear, except when i need a quicker launch. The first gear starts will leave you in the back of the pack whaen leaving a stop light. Combined with the slow shifting of the NV-5600 & first gear starts, you will be in the slow lane until you get into 4th or 5th gear. That's when you will start catching up with the traffic.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

When I had my 2002 I had the 6 speed tranny. I HAD to start in 2nd gear, The 1st was too low and creeped across an intersection. Even when I hooked my 12,440# 5th to the truck, the rear wheels spun on the white cross walk stripe when I started in 1st gear. Forget even thinking about 1st gear when the street was wet! Now the 2004 48RE is much better for me.
Frank

 

So you the manual that these trucks come with actually caused you move to a auto for your next truck? Was it just the first gear in these trucks that made your mind up about going with the 48RE? Just curious...

 

As some have already said i start in second. Heck thats what my salesman even said to me as he sent me on my way! If i have a ton of dirt in the bed or am starting on a really steep hill i will use first. First is good for creepin traffic too and as long as i never come to a complete, momentum dead stop, i use third. I dont skip gears though, to much to try and think about when the gain on this tranny isnt much.

 

Ramtough how do you like the BD short throw shift kit? Did it make a big difference? How did it affect your DD routine? Better? Worse?