Auto 2nd Gear Start

Went offroading with a friend in his 100 series landcruiser this weekend and his truck has a button for starting in 2nd gear, which is quite nice when in low range and you dont need to crawling capability of 1st gear.

I know our trucks dont have the same button but is there any way to override the trans to start in 2nd when using low range? 1st gear in low is so jerky when not crawling and the shift point is too high for my liking.

 

I don't dare say it.

The backlash would be epic.

 

You can start off in 2nd gear with a standard transmission.

 

You must be vegan.

..or wear a man-bun.

How dare you.

 

There was a group buy on the 2 low modification . Its not the same as 4 low , but should give you better control at low speeds .

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743/

In order to start off in 2 , you need to energize the solenoid for second gear . Easier said than done

 

Don't you just use "select" mode and put it in 2nd? I do it all the time when 4-wheeling, is it really in 1st no matter what the display shows? I just looked at the manual and it doesn't really say. Just says it will go to 5th or 4th depending on speed or 3rd if you go directly from park?

 

This is for having low range in 2WD right, OP is asking if you can start in 2nd gear in 4lo I believe.

 

I thought the same!


Glad someone did...

 

Yes , 2 wheel drive but I believe members at Tacoma World are working on a magic box that combines the 2 low mod with the grey wire mod . They are talking about a magic box that will let you start off in second gear using 4 low , allow your locker to stay locked , as well as starting off in second gear in 2 wheel drive
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/grey-wire-mod-2016.410443/

 

Doesn't this generation have a Hill Ascent mode of some sort? That's basically what I use my Land Cruiser 2nd gear start for and also slippery surfaces.

 

I believe S mode only limits the vehicle from going into any gears above that. It doesn't manually shift the truck into 2nd if you put it on S2. I could be wrong, but that's explanation I've been given on here before.

 

No way!


I do Crossfit though.

 

Tested that on a test drive last week: Came to a stop in 2nd gear at a light on flat ground and wanted to see what it felt like to start in second on the automatic. Felt exactly the same as starting in first, including shifting into second.

The S mode is no different than downshifting in any other automatic. It won't let you exceed that gear, but it won't actually let you select it like you can in a manual.

 

This may be a stupid question, but if you're not crawling, why would you be in 4lo in the first place?

 

You got it right. It is just like PRND321 or PRND32L of old. Put it in 3, and it will drive like a three speed. Put it in 2, and it will drive like a two speed.

 

My 2008 Subaru Impreza has this feature. At a stop, using the manual mode upshift once and "2" will display in the cluster. Another hidden feature is in "D", tap the accelerator twice and it will downshift.

My 6MT Frontier Pro-4x is much more enjoyable here in the mountains. The 4.0L and gearing have a lot to do with that.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

meh, I use 4lo on the beach even if I’m not crawling. Keeps the rpms down and saves my clutch. I can also start in 2nd gear(or 3rd) if I need to .

OP, probably not much you can do as someone already mentioned S2 will make it so your truck doesn’t go into 3rd but won’t start it in 2nd.

 

It's different for us in a manual, I'm in 4lo all the time too. But he's an auto and doesn't have to worry about feathering a clutch over every little thing.

 

Some type of mod, break out box, would have to trick the trans to think that 1st gear solenoid has cycled and to trigger the 2nd gear solenoid off throttle. Probably what my Land Cruiser button does as I can use it in AWD, 4Hi and 4lo while the selector is in 'D'.