jwbehm

I just bought a 4x4 5 speed 99 4runner, and i would like to do some offroading. Maybe a lift and bigger tires in the futrue.

Would a manual be a problem when offroading?

steelhead

do you know how to shift?

garrett1478

put it in 4L and its a piece of cake. you'll be surprised how slow you can go without stalling.

Captain_Toyota

The only time you might have problems with a manual is if you are doing slow-speed rock crawling or when mudding.
The slow speed stuff can burn up a clutch in a hurry, but using low-range does help.
For mudding, just make sure you are in the right gear before you get in the mud, that or dont take your foot off the gas when you shift. If you take your foot off the gas to shift while in mud, there is a good chance that you will get stuck.

marko3xl3

Tip:

Use the clutch as little as possible. A lot of people will get overzelous on hitting the clutch all the time and then stuff breaks. As long as you learn to do it right the first time, you are set.

89macrunner

haha i was stuck in the mud and made it up to four gear...it was pretty sweet..

pays off having a friend with a dodge on 40's with a winch though..i can do anything stupid i want

Ocelot

I agree... wheelin with a 5-Speed is a lot of fun. Just do easy trails till you get the hang of it. Many people prefer a manual off-road to an automatic, including myself.

bob200587

You know, I don't think I've actually done any serious wheelin' in a auto. I guess I can't really make a decision on what I like better. I really want to get my dad to go out with his FJ80. It has a 2nd gear start mode, so I could use low range and push that button when I didn't want to use first gear. I think that gives alot more control over the gears. Wheeling in an automatic I think is tougher because it can shift when you don't want it to if you arent careful or are in the wrong gear.

tc

You should be thinking NEVER use the clutch. Of course, this is a slight overexaggeration, but seriously, it needs to be the exception - like ONLY to shift gears.

I have found that 4Low +2nd/3rd works really nice. It's low enough that you can start in it, and gives enough speed to have some momentum to make up for no lockers.

I like manual because there seems to be a tighter "connection" between my right foot and the wheels (although there are times on really steep stuff I wish it was Auto!)

Get out there and give it a try!

rimpainter.com

I agree, avoid using the clutch as much as possible or you will fry it quick-like. Just get it engaged in 1st in 4LO and feather the gas as best you can.

Thrillbilly

Like everyone else said 4LO will be your friend. Running in high range will make you ride the clutch more where as low range you can let it all the way out and just crawl. Manual is the only thing that I have been off road in.

AxleIke

I agree, a manual is the way to go.

I have driven both, and find an auto much less challenging.

I think that the best way to learn has been stated above as has clutch usage. Folks here know what they are talking about.

Icehawk

I 4x4 with a 5speed and will take a out a auto. Do do not like autos. 5speed are better for gas

Crux

I prefer an auto for wheeling.
I'd rather worry about picking the right line as opposed to frying the clutch or killing the engine on a steep obstacle

tulsa_97SR5

Using the parking brake as a 'hill holder' when starting on the steep stuff really helps alot. You don't feel the need to drop the clutch in order to get moving forward before you start flying back down the hill.

Glenn

Um, that is what the clutch start-cancel switch is for. I never worry about starting on steep hills....

PAhydrohead

Going down a steep trail is also easier with a manual because you can just put it in granny low and let the trans hold the speed down as you decend. With an auto, you tend to need to brake more which can cause problems if you start skidding.

Flygtenstein

The clutch is in or out.

I wheel an auto with a crawler.

Wheeling with people who have sticks and no crawler is a lot more entertaining than watching a guy with an auto walk through.

If you wheel a stick much, get a crawler. It will make life easier.

My auto, with 5.29's an stock low range goes down hills plenty slow.

jwbehm

Thanks for all the replys, I have one question. Could you expain the 'clutch start-cancel' button for me?

Glenn

You can use it for starting on steep hills without using the clutch and rolling backwards. For example, say I was on an unknown trail and wanted to see what was over the other side of a hill before committing myself to something I might not be able to get out of. I stop on the hill and shut the engine off and get out to take a look. If it looks OK and I decide to continue, I need to start on a steep hill. Without the clutch start-cancel switch, I would start rolling backwards as soon as I took my foot off the brake to step on the gas. It's a lot harder to make a smooth start, and it is tough on the clutch and might cause the tires to loose traction. Now since I do have the switch, I just get in the right gear and turn the ignition to ON, push the switch in, and then turn the ignition to START. The engine will start in gear and I can continue up the hill in a controlled manner. No rolling backwards, no spinning the tires, no roasting the clutch. I have been doing this for many years, and as far as I can tell there are no bad effects on the starter.