Off Roading Manual

I went to Ocotillo Wells over the weekend and took the taco out for some wheelin... I wasn't able to keep up with the Jeeps but that probably because I didn't wanna push it. But I noticed that I was burning my clutch up a bit when pushing up steep hills or slow crawling..

Hoping to get some tips to save the clutch while off roading.. I was in 4hi most the time. Wondering for slow crawling, I should be in 4lo and just idle around. What gear should I start out in when in 4Lo. 2nd? I also gunned it up a sttep sandy hill in 1st gear and 4lo and I think I redlined it. (Didn't even make it, but niether did the jeeps...hahah)

Man, I feel like I put it through alot because I don't really know how to off road.

Any tips to save my clutch.... I only stalled out twice because I didn't want to burn my clutch up anymore.

 

i say get that manual before u destroy your truck man.and the toyotas r very capable trucks to keep up with jeeps or pass them.i know on my jeep i have the clutch saftey disconnected.that means it will start anytime in any gear without the clutch engadged.thats how i wheel to.the key starts and stops me in gear/4lo.no foot on the clutch while wheeling.not sure if the tacos can do that with a quick dis connect like the jeeps or not.good luck to ya.

 

i think his title mean off roading with a manual tacoma instead of an actual paper manual. lol I would give you advice but I have and automatic. sorry

 

This is one of the reasons I bought my auto...

Use Lo range more and the clutch as little as possible... Don't be afraid to use all gears in 4 lo... You can idle in 1st - 4 Lo and almost come to a stop before having to push in the clutch... Also, the clutch override button can be used if you stall. Just start in gear with a little gas...

 

i think your right jdkeller,but he should get a paper manual the way it sounds.not to be smart or nothing ya no.

 

definitely. Or ride with someone as they drive his truck so they can show him. I always hated 4x4ing with a manual

 

sucks bad.

 

Yeah...Asking folks on the internet how to do something in the real world like this isn't going to be as helpful as riding along with another experienced driver with a stick rig.

 

x1000.it so hard to decribe in letters.the seat is the best place to learn.

 

Don't be afraid to jump down into 4Lo when your offroading, that is exactly what it is meant for and coupled with that 6 spd you have plenty of gears to choose from.

If you find you are spending a lot of time in 1st and 2nd when running in 4Hi your truck is telling you give me a break bud and let me play in low range

 

If your terrain involves a lot of hills, decents, and/or rocks, and other obstacles that require crawling.... 4LO all day long.

To drive normally around on easier stuff - start off in 2nd gear and shift into 3rd if you need to.

For crawling over obstacles - 1st gear.
For basic hill climbs & decents - 1st gear.
For more extreme hill climbs where momentum is necessary - 2nd gear +
For really slippery hill descents - 2nd gear and tap the brakes as needed.

1st gear allows for nice slow crawling uphill and nice slow 'engine braking' downhill (no gas needed). For harder hill climbs where momentum is needed, 1st gear is too low. Hill decscents that are slippery - 1st gear is too low because the vehicle will actually start sliding down instead of a controlled creep. You're better off having a higher gear, going down the hill at a faster rate than have the rear-end of the truck try to pass you on the way down.

The best thing to do is put it in 4lo and use it all day long. Get used to it. Feel & learn how 4lo works and how you can shift to your advantage.

 

6spd + 4lo + atrac + locker ftw

 

Thanks Guys!!! Very Helpful... Yeah Janster, I redlined the truck pretty bad in 4lo/1st gear trying to shoot up a massive, sandy hill. It's running fine after all I put her through. So next time out, I'll for sure be in 4lo all day. I was in 4hi most the time trying to crawl but stalled out so I rode the clutch all day. Rookie!! I"m sure I took some life out of it. I wish there was a paper manual...hahahah...

 

No worries....you've already gained valuable experience with it.

That's the best thing you can do, is get out there and play. Put 'er in 4lo and learn how the truck runs and shift gears as needed for more speed.

You'll learn soon enough what gears & such to use.
Have fun with it!!