Do you use first gear?

[todds112]

Unloaded truck, flat ground, normal conditions. Or do you just start off in second gear? I did this years ago when I drove single axle dump trucks (empty) for as summer job. Just don't want to wear the clutch any more than normal.

[75pinz]

Todd, a clutch disk from dennis is right around 100 bucks. I changed it in less than a couple hours and I didn't even know what I was doing. Pretty much don't worry about it. I frequently started in second. I frequently started in first. Sounds like you might have to start the engine in first for awhile with that knee!
Regards,
Bryan

[mjnims]

I rarely use 1st gear for around town driving. Neither truck seems to need it. I had 28 80lb bags of concrete in the 710 the other day and it still took off from the line with no indication it needed 1st gear.

[Profpinz]

6 X 35" tyres, 710 transfer case and usually loaded for a trip (140 litres fuel etc) .... Hmm, I need to use first gear to get off the line and save the clutch!

I can get off the line in second, but why stress the components .... it's there after all and it doesn't cost extra to use it!

[krick3tt]

I used it when I first got it, then morphed into using second to begin around town. In the desert or the rocks or loaded it seems to work better starting in first. With the transfer case and first in the desert it really takes hold.

Cheers,
Morris

[pinzinator]

I rarely use first gear. But I do like using low range in parking lots and in bumper-to-bumper traffic that moves slow. Offroad is mostly where first gear comes into play.

[todds112]

Todd, a clutch disk from dennis is right around 100 bucks. I changed it in less than a couple hours and I didn't even know what I was doing. Pretty much don't worry about it. I frequently started in second. I frequently started in first. Sounds like you might have to start the engine in first for awhile with that knee!
Regards,
Bryan

Been having to start her up while standing outside for now.

[hrafn]

I have big tires and the extra weight of a 710K. I can start out in
second gear, but it seems to me that I´m slipping the clutch a little too much.
So I now always start out in first gear.

[Protoman333]

ive found that in parking lots, its fun to go into low range and shift like mad. the look on peoples faces when you are in 4th going 10 is gold. of course ive driven around with crappy, if not barely functional, brakes for 3 years of my 7+ year ownership so that type of driving is mandatory in a parking lot (compression braking) to be safe(er).

other than that, i have to be pretty loaded down to use 1st.

and holy s**t, mjnims! 28 bags o' crete?!! we have a winner!

[Jim LaGuardia]

I use first gear every day as well as all the other gears, as a tranny specialist I have to say there is a lot of paranoia in this group lately.
Just use common sense and you won't break anything, after all these are "extreme off road vehicles" and quite overbuilt at that.
As for extra clutch wear, it's all in how you use it

[jacksonpinz]

Being at high altitude and down about 20 hp, I use first. Todd, with your knee messed up, are you using any gears or just the parking brake? Just kidding. Home tommorrow and back to working on the Pinz.

[todds112]

I started her the other day. Parking brake still firmly applied.

[goudacheese]

I remember reading the owners manual and it said to start in 2nd gear for normal driving.

[Bruce Berger]

I normally do not use 1st for street driving but I do find it useful to put the transfer case in low when backing up in tight situations. The reverse gear seems to be a little on the high side.

[jchobby]

1st for me, but I have diesel trans.