I have a driving related question I am posting on this thread as it seems pretty basic knowledge that I just don't have. In my 2nd gen with the 3vze, I am happy with power except when getting moving from a cold stop near the top of a very steep incline. I simply don't have the power to get over the hills when I am stopped near the top, I sometimes stall in 1st. It sucks.
Today I tried experimenting with shifting to 4-LO and then using that to get over the hill, I was in first gear and holy # the rev went way off the charts, like 5-6K and I could smell burning oil. I had to shift really fast between 2-3-4 before I got over, I felt stupid when I got over.
My question is, can I start in 2nd or 3rd or even 4th if I am in 4-LO on an incline? I want to feel comfortable shifting into 4-LO and getting over the worst hills. Do I need to be much more careful/ease up on the throttle when in 4-LO? Also, related to this, must I be 100% stopped when shifting into 4-LO, when I tried it while moving really showly I felt a small grind and did not do that again. Can I shift back to 2-HI while moving, how fast can I go in 4-LO, any other 4-LO related information and techniques would be most appreciated. Thanks so much. Another reason I am posting in this thread is that I am sure the info. is here but I would love to get some personalized advice. Thanks for mercifully not flaming me in the newbie thread

 

Or just learn how to drive a manual transmission...




IS this only happening when it is cold? If so leave a couple minutes earlier and let it warm up.

Mine was a PITA to drive when the motor was cold.
Another thing about the 4-lo takeoffs is if you have add, then your going to bind your 4wd.

 

What hills are you talking about? In town?

 

My starter motor would be overworked by anything but 4 lo on any hill steep enough to warrant starting in gear.

I suggest you practice hill starts. Let out the clutch to the friction point before taking your foot off the brake. Practice holding yourself on a really steep hill with just the clutch and gas.

 

There is a card in the drivers side sunvisor that gives you the shifting information for your truck. It's also in your owners manual. Assuming you still have both those items.
Your truck has a chain drive tcase which allows shift on the fly. There are minimum speeds however. If I remember correctly it is 50mph for 4hi and maybe 30mph for 4lo but you should confirm that. I tended to always stop or almost stop when shifting to 4lo anyway.

AS for the starting on steep hills. I am assumng your talking about street driving. If so I am pretty sure that there are no streets with hills so steep you can't start in them in your truck in 2wd.

Try using your ebrake and getting better at using your clutch.

 

its under 5mph for 4-lo..

I stop to shift into it, but you don't have to if you are going from 4lo to 4hi.

 

my truck with 4.30s, 33x12.5 a/ts and a 3vze has trouble starting up steep hills when it's cold. But once the engine is up to operating temp, it's fine going up any hill and can even manage moderate uphill 2nd gear starts. methinks either your engine has, say, really low compression, or you're just letting out the clutch too fast.

 

thanks guys I appreciate all the advice! I love my manual trans and "think" I'm good with it but I definitely can get better I am sure, probably should face it that I just suck. The hill I am talking about is the one going from pike place market up to I-5, the very last stage before the top of the hill where you turn left to go onto I-5 (under the bridge), I had to stop halfway up it, with cars close behind and in front, this hill always screws with me. I know how to keep stationary with just clutch but I don't really like doing that, heard it was bad for the clutch. I want to learn how to use 4-LO on the fly in traffic because it's got so much more torque than 2-HI 1st gear. Did I mention that my 3vze has so little low-end torque since I went to 33s. Perhaps I should just keep it simple and hold it in place with clutch and gas until I have to go forward.
re: owner's manual I have one, but don't have the card on the visor, so I need to re-read the manual on the speeds allowed for xfer case shifting, must do that. I have manual locking hubs so no worry re: ADD.
thanks for your patience with my lack of skill and general inept sloth

 

Yes you can start in second or possibly third while in 4-lo. You're operating the reduction gears which is why your rpms skyrocketed. I would try to be stopped before shifting in and out of 4-lo. Atleast until you're comforble with it. Learn to slip your clutch, that's what it's there for.

 

You need to slip the clutch. I know, its not very comforting slipping the clutch a lot. It actually sucks. But I think shifting the t-case just to go over a hill is a bigger pita. Just use your clutch a little more and you should be fine.

 

One thing I noticed, is I am having a harder time slipping the clutch since I replaced the TPS. The gas pedal seems to have an 'on' point and an 'off' point that is much more noticeable now, it used to be smoother when my TPS was shot. I am not sure if I just need to adjust the (brand new) TPS, or remove it entirely. This is true, but to be even more true I'm also I'm trying to salvage some of my manual transmission pride with excuses. Anyway at least I'm not driving an auto thanks for all the help guys

 

Go practice, you'll be fine!!!!!!!!!! You'll have to bring that sweet rig out next time we do a run to Tahuya!!!