Using the Clutch Off Road Without Three Feet

I haven't used the handbrake offroad. One day I'll use it as the poor mans locker when I need it. Starting on a hill, I let the clutch out slowly with my right foot on the brake. As soon as I feel the clutch start to grab I quickly switch right foot to the gas. I've started on some seriously steep inclines without any rollback.

 

u know, i just thought of this and nobody else said it either... kinda simple and dumb, but when i wheel, i slide the seat forward an inch or two.... this helps with my foot control alot. maybe try it if u haven't already

 

I do that too and I'm 6'3 with all the reach in the world. Moving forward a click and setting the seat more upright definitely helps

 

I know what you are saying about slipping clutch and rock crawling. I have a 2013 double cab with the six speed. Finally got fed up with having to slip the clutch and had a Marlin 4.7 crawl box installed. Not cheap, around 3,000 installed, but worth every penny. Now I have regular low range, or I can have 4.7 low range, or I can engage them both, and have 12/1 lowrange. Makes idling thru the rocks so much better. Just hauled a load of rock thru the gate keeper in Big Bear, and idle thru it. The Jeeps hauling trailers had to be winched. Had Wayne at Rock Solid Toys in Huntington beach do the work. Stand up guy. Kevin

 

A crawl box is the way you avoid three feeting while wheeling!!

In all honesty, seat time is what you need. The more you wheel it the more used to wheeling with a clutch you will get and learn how to message it. Hand throttles dont really work, i had one on a jeep that was a stick and it confused me and my feet more than anything and i stopped using it. It came in handy for winching though.

 

A lot of clutch work and throttle work is how to crawl slow. It's just hard no matter what. I have 4.88s, 35s and a much stronger clutch then stock and its still very hard to crawl slow. Practice practice practice. Find your release point and then use about 1" of the pedal going in and out of engaging while bumping the throttle a lot. It just takes the seat time. You'll get it. Check this video out and listen to the throttle work and imagine the same amount of clutch work. This isn't even "slow" crawling ......

Tacoma rock crawling at Turkey Bay: http://youtu.be/IvDU4894hDY

Also this one where I actually burned the clutch a lil bit ......

Tacoma attempting to flex: http://youtu.be/u0bDr_w3dug

 

Very true, I stopped counting how many times i stall off road because I lugged the 3.4 a little too much.


As far as having to use the clutch to crawl is horse shit. It's not all that smart either, if your on the trail and burn the hell out of your clutch than your sol. learning to drive without it is key; yes you'll stall alot, but last time i checked it's way easier to change a starter than a clutch on the trail. The key is the correct amount of brake pedal pressure and throttle position modulation. Otherwise known as Brake Throttle Modulation, really simple concept but takes some practice to get it down. Essentially you keep your rig moving and alive with the throttle and keep it under control with the brake. Not sure if there are any YouTube videos but I know most 101 or intro off road training classes each it.