3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Using First Gear w/6speed

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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:23 PM
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Using First Gear w/6speed

I dunno, maybe it is the way I drive but...I read that most with the 6 speed start off in 2nd. When I do it, I get a little bit of shudder...When I start in 1st...it is smooth as silk. Of course 2nd comes up REAL quick but I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. The owners manual says to use all six...I have had manual trannies most of the time and I *think* I know what I'm doing...Anyone else have a shudder starting in 2nd? Thanks BTW, did I mention that this truck simply R-O-C-K-S ???
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:31 PM
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No shudder in either 1st or 2nd. Rarely use 1st, even when pulling the boat up the ramp. Did use it today in a slow parking lot though.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:31 PM
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I can't help you but just an observation:

If the truck bucks a little starting in 2nd with 4:10 gears, it must buck quite abit doing that in a truck with the higher gearing.

You can buy a 6 speed with higher than 4:10 gearing right?
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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Your other choice is 3.73's.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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When you say shudder, do you mean the truck is bucking or do you hear more of a rattle sound?
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Old May 26, 2004 | 03:43 PM
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Are you taking off in 2nd at an idle, or are you bringing engine speed up before engaging the clutch? When I had stock injectors, takeoff in 2nd was buttery smooth by just letting out the clutch, then rolling on the throttle. The same method applied when towing our 13,500 lb 5th wheel and using 1st gear. If I tried to bring up the revs and then let out the clutch, it was easy to induce drivetrain windup and severe "bucking".

I still take off in 2nd when empty and 1st when towing. Heck, with the 4.10's, I probably could slip the clutch a little and take off in 3rd!

Rusty
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:29 PM
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I typically use 2nd when taking off on the flats unloaded. If I'm starting on a hill I'll use first, or whenever I'm towing I'll use first just to get things rolling.

OT: A big hello to a fellow IBA member. Check out my ride here.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:32 PM
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Originally posted by RustyJC
Are you taking off in 2nd at an idle, or are you bringing engine speed up before engaging the clutch? Rusty
Yeah, I give it some throttle...normally that is what I do with a manual tranny, but then again....most don't have 600ft lbs of torque behind them!...I'll try just letting the clutch out at idle (!) and see if it improves..To clarify..yes, it is more like a bucking....
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:38 PM
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OT: A big hello to a fellow IBA member. Check out my ride here.
On a CBR?? Man that is SICK!! Congrats! Being an olde fart I do my LD rides on a GL1800 Wing-a-bago..sort of like cheating I know..
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:45 PM
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DaHammer,
I've got 3.73s and it seems like if I just let the clutch out without fuel and allow the computer to compensate, it takes off smoothly. If push a little on the go pedal but not quite enough, it cancels the computer compensation and it shudders a little. If I rev it up a little more before dropping the clutch it takes right off and can squeak the tires a little. So, I know what your talking about.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:54 PM
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I always start in 2nd with my 5 speed.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 05:47 PM
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Another vote for 2nd. I was worried about installing the 315's, thinking they'd be too big for this (reduce ratio even further), but it pulls through no problem with no throttle input even up steep inclines. I've got 3.73's as well.
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Old May 26, 2004 | 06:45 PM
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I always start in 2nd when unloaded and not towing.

No shudder ever starting from 1st or 2nd.

I only use 1st when I'm pulling stumps out of the ground!
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Old May 26, 2004 | 09:38 PM
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I always start out in 2nd with no thottle - very smooth take offs. I actually take my foot completely off the go pedal when shifting through all gears and don't step back on it until my foot is off the clutch (I like to pretend I am driving a Log Truck). I rarely skip gears though.


Originally posted by kindog
Another vote for 2nd. I was worried about installing the 315's, thinking they'd be too big for this (reduce ratio even further), but it pulls through no problem with no throttle input even up steep inclines. I've got 3.73's as well.
Kindog, did you notice any MPG change going to the BFG 315s?
I am leaning to these as soon as I wear out the stock Mich. tires
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Old May 26, 2004 | 10:23 PM
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My fiance's truck rattles when taking off in first or second and goes away once you get up to 7-8 mph. I think it needs that clutch rattle TSB. Once driving it shifts fine.
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