Stump1883

Hey guys, I just bought a new Runner to repla my dying baby. It's a fully loaded 5spd E-locked 96' Runner, there are a few imperfetions, paint chips, leather wear, but it all seems comprable with the age of the truck. My biggest thing right now is the 5spd. I have only driven a manual maybe a dozen times and now I'm learning to drive this. I'm scared to go off-road with it, I have no idea how to drive to manipulate it that way. And now with the recent thread about Auto vs. Manual, it makes me even more shakey, the auto crowed seems to be rising up. Can ANYONE here help cool my mind and rant about the 5spd and it's off-road ability and positives of having one off road. Sorry I know this is stupid but I guess I'm just showig my age, as a shakey 20yr old college kid who jsut spent alot o' $$$.

Blair

Driving a 5spd is like falling off a horse. Sure, it's gonna hurt, but you'll catch on.Plus you get to learn what clutch smells like, which is a good way to learn how not to make your clutch smell like that.
As for wheeling a manual, like any new skill, practice makes you not too bad
If the truck is in good shape and YOU like the ride, it's money well spent.
And if you're parting any of that lift equipment before you sell, I'm first in line

Plays_with_Toys

I haven't been wheeling with my manual yet, but I know from driving round town that it is darn near impossible to stall. I've let the clutch out in gear with the brakes on and it didn't stall, so if you need to go down to low RPM's I know the truck should be able to do it. I would practice and see how much speed you need to let the clutch out completely, so that you're not burning it out. For me its 1.5-2mph.

JGage

Everyone needs to learn how to drive a manual... It's should be a law. I drove a manuals for my first 6 years and I still try to use my left foot on a clutch and my hand on the shifter, ahh well..
Every car I've ever driven outside the US was a manual.

You will get used to it. Besides, when the battery dies, you can roll start it !!!

Also, almost nobody will be able to drive your car, because most people can't drive a stick !

Phisherman

I don't know how much experience you have with practicing, but after teaching several of my friends how to drive my old TJ, I have a suggestion. Go to an empty parking lot, and let the clutch out slowly. So slowly that the truck will start to roll without any gas. That's your idle. With caution you can find that point on a hill at a red light (or on a rock with a hard place behind you) and not have to use your brake or any gas. That's also the point where you can punch the gas, smoke the tires, and rack up a hefty repair bill! Hope that helps, and if you already knew that, sorry for making you read all this!:pat:

Robinhood150

Pretty much what everybody else said. Once you get good then start practicing on obstacles like curbs and bigger things. A lot of guys swear by manuals off road, like reliability. That is, manuals will run without fluid, but an auto is dead on the trail unless it's completely full. You'll get used to it.

Stump1883

Thanks guys, that is exactly what I needed to know. I willdrive for a month or so on the road before I got hitting the trails again. Thanks so much.

kyle_22r

i used to share your apprehension, right when i got my first manual(an '84 chevy s10)

at first it might seem impossible, but after you drive it for a bit, it will become second nature. personally, i wouldn't touch an auto anymore. i prefer getting the better gas milage and having the control that a manual provides

george16

Practice, practice and more practice. You'll get used to it after sometime. Like someone said, go to an empty parking lot or field and just practice. It took my wife about a month till she got confident in driving my rig and now she drives it more often than I do.
Try releasing the clutch slowly. You will be surprised that your truck will start rolling and continue to run at exactly 5 mph. I think they are set that way. Good luck.

George

Plays_with_Toys

I have a question for you wheelers,

When going up steep obstacles, like large rocks, do you guys pop the e-brake to prevent roll back from the clutch?

Oh and when you drive in 4WD with a manual, you have to give the gas a goose before letting out the clutch because of having more wheels to have to spin... That's the case with my 4cyl, not sure what you have, or if this is such common knowledge that it doesn't need mentioning...