Manual Owners - Is 1st just a granny gear?

On my 2010 DCSB (bought used 1-2 months ago), 1st feels like it is geared incredibly low. It's plenty easy to start in second too, but I'm not sure if that's stressing my engine too much. Is 1st just set up as a granny for towing/really steep hills? I know my grandfathers old '88 F250 was set up this way (4 on the floor). I looked around a bit, but couldn't find a definite answer, and the user manual definitely doesn't say.

It's just frustrating to have to shift halfway through crossing 2 lanes of traffic, especially when you're trying to gun it to squeeze between a couple cars (i.e. every time I turn off my street). Unless I push it really hard, I'm shifting at around 10mph. Am I doing something wrong? I used to drive an older YJ and first felt much better. For reference I'm running the stock TRD Off roads with 265/75 tires. Do bigger/smaller tires make that much of a difference?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

I would say no. I use 1st gear routinely and do not consider it a "granny".

 

No it isn't a granny, put your truck in four low, then see how slow first is, a true 'granny' gear in a 6 spd trans would almost be that gear ratio.

Also I wouldn't be worried about my engine with second gear starts, I'd be worried about the clutch, since I'm guessing you don't just dump the clutch and get on the skinny peddle, the feathering of the clutch to start out in second gear seams like that would cause more wear and tear on the clutch plate.

 

Well, we're assuming things because the original poster (OP) doesn't tell us if this is a 5 spd or 6 spd, the 4 cyl or 6 cyl.

I have a 4 cyl, 5 speed and regularly run the first gear close to readline for quicker launches. Nope, not granny by any stretch...LOL

 

correct, will wear your clutch much faster. imagine, in first you can just dump it at idle your rolling. 2nd gear starts require you to spend wayyyy too much time burning friction material.

I understand your frustration. and the gap between ratios makes shifts long and slow for me, but I baby the hell outta the sychros and RARELY rev past 2500 . if you take 1st to redline though, like "oh shit I didn't notice that car with its lights off and its dusk" it will get the truck moving, and it revs down real fast to catch second. not a bad ratio all things considered.

 

Sorry for not clarifying, I've got the 6cyl 6 speed.

Thanks for the info, the only other manuals I've really driven are 4 and 5 speeds. Thought maybe they threw in 6 to give you the granny. In any case I'll just continue driving it like I do now - if I'm completely stopped on flat/uphill, I'll use first. If I'm rolling a bit or am starting downhill (rolling a little), it'll be second. Maybe that's a little hard on my clutch, but I guess I won't complain about it until I have to buy a new one...

On a related note - does anyone else feel like 6th could be geared a little higher? It doesn't feel all that different from 5, and the way its geared now, I rarely if ever have to downshift going up a steep hill at 65/70 mph. Wouldn't gearing it up just a touch give you better MPGs? Its not like I really hate downshifting occasionally anyway, if I didn't like to shift I wouldn't have bought the manual.

 

yea 6th is a complete bs gear. the 4cyl actually runs the same rpm at 70 in top gear. I don't know why they did that, the auto runs lower at lockup. I think its a conspiracy to make the mt obsolete.

finding gear oil anymore at the auto stores is like finding ammo at walmart. if theres any, theres not near enough. . .

 

First gear is not a "granny" gear, and yes, sixth gear could have a better ratio in order to lower engine RPM's and provide slightly better MPG's.

 

92dlxman, if you need gear oil, napa, my napa had 6 gals of apl-5+ 75w-90 anyway, if you need this fossil lube I'll send you some! Granted it ain't cheap by any means but........!

 

I've got a 1st gen 3.4 5-speed - so, may not be the same story
But, I'm not that happy with 1st gear either
Especially when, say, rolling to a creep at a red light that just turned green, and traffic starts to go:
I'm going to fast for the truck to let me shift into first, and to slow to not lug the hell out of 2nd or slip the clutch to keep going

anyone else experience this?

 

FJ 6th gear is .79, Tacouma 6th is .85 - anyone know if they can be swapped ?

 

It takes a serious amount of patience to drive the 6 speed. My biggest concern at a light is that the people behind me always assume I'm going to jump right out and get going. Not the case, and I've been close to getting hit in the ass because I'm doing it right.

 

I don't mind the 6 speed, it takes a little to get use to the shift points but once you are it drives great. It's not a race car, just drive it like the truck it is.

 

Does any truck come with a granny gear anymore?

 

30 MPH not fast enough for you in 1st?

 

The user manual refers to 1st gear as simply L or low in a few places and says its there just to move the vehicle from a standstill to moving. So no its not a granny gear, but I wouldn't use it for engine breaking or driving extensively

 

OP I also have a V6 6 speed and I totally agree with you about 1st being too low and 6th not high enough, I pull out across an intersection and have to shift to 2nd before crossing both lanes and driving on the hwy the rpm's are too high for good FE. (If you change the diff then all of your gear ratios are changed, ideally too improve high speed FE you need to change 6th gear ratio as somone mentioned)
I personally only use 1st if I come to a complete stop, if I'm even slightly rolling I keep 2nd because 1st is just too much torque and you head starts to bob around.
Anyway, I still prefer the MT so that I can have more control over the truck!

 

WTF? It's a truck, tow a boat or put a load in the bed and see if first is to low or sixth is not high enough. These are pickup trucks meant to do a job.

 

acceptable fuel mileage ratings. if there were less gears in a manual tranny for the 4.0L, fuel consumption would probably be higher

 

I find 1 gear to be pretty low for hitting the pavement in my 6 speed 4.0. Cant take off in second the truck just shutters and chugs compared to my 02 acura rsx. I wish the 6 gear was also higher. Doing about 110 kms @ 2400 rpms, would be nice to be at about 2000 rpms for fuel economy but when a slight hill comes I think the truck would be dropping the speed quickly and dropping to the 5 gear.