I catch myself starting out in 2nd alot on flat surfaces treating 1st like a "granny low" My TJ is a 4.0, 5 speed and 30X9.5 tires (not turning big mud slingers) Any of you seasoned Jeepers have any pro/cons to this possible bad habit?

Lugging the engine isn't good...

That said, I use 1st gear rarely. Mostly on the trail. Very little for street/road driving.

Drivers pick a gear they can idle out in. As long as you aren't slipping the clutch, no problem

Yes but you have the 6-speed, your first is lower geared than ours

I do the same thing with mine, 4.0 and 6 speed and wandering if there were any ill effects to starting out in 2nd. I don't really understand what the term "slipping the clutch" means, but when taking off from a stopped position, I'll not give any throttle and ease out on the clutch until the point where the jeep accelerates without stalling then gradually applying throttle until time to hit 3rd.

all transes, and especially jeep trans do not like being lugged. i'm trying to rid myself of this habit, also shifting into 5th at lower speeds like 40 to 45. imo its a big cause of 5th gear going bad in the ax5's, as so many do.

but a rolling stop taking off in second with a little throttle probably isn't bad. as long as you can tell the feel and sound when its lugging hard.

True enough. Tho with my last jeep (2000, 3.73, stock 30" tires) I never used 1st gear either.

Just don't lug the engine. If you can take off from a stop in 3rd gear, do it. Won't hurt anything.

I don't know about the jeep but I was told that my dodge ram with the six spd 1st and sixth was the same as 1st and fifth it was that the gears 2nd thru 5th where closer ratios.

Slipping the clutch: Applying throttle and clutch at the same time to gain headway without killing the engine.

I dont lug the engine or slip the clutch. I do use 1st on an incline or for faster take offs but normal around town 2nd works fine. I hear alot of bikers lopping along lugging their engines for the sound and I know thats not good. Engines like RMPs.
Thanks for your feed back guys!

i start my jeep in second no problem but i have the 6-speed and 4.56 gears so it prolly makes a big difference i can actually get the front tires off the ground if i drop the clutch in 1st

thats incorrect on both the ram and the jeep

Are you sure?

I would love to see the front tires come off the ground too. I have done it in 1000 horsepower twin turboed viper on the street but it was only 6 inches.

To slipping the clutch umm how do you guys shift? The only way to drive a jeep or any stick car for that matter is slipping the clutch some. Are you guys actually telling me that you dump the clutch everytime you shift? that had got to be one hell of a ride.

You probably try to start off your new dates at second base, huh?

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To slipping the clutch umm how do you guys shift? The only way to drive a jeep or any stick car for that matter is slipping the clutch some. Are you guys actually telling me that you dump the clutch everytime you shift? that had got to be one hell of a ride.

I agree with you you have to give it gas and let off the clutch some in order to get it to move, and I start off in second all the time, except for when im on steep inclines, and have had no ill effects(my friend also does this and his jeep is fine), jeeps arent race cars why do you need high RPM's???? And dont running the shit out of your jeeps ,by making them do high RPM's, tear them up more than lower RPM's????

I agree with you you have to give it gas and let off the clutch some in order to get it to move, and I start off in second all the time, except for when im on steep inclines, and have had no ill effects(my friend also does this and his jeep is fine), jeeps arent race cars why do you need high RPM's???? And dont running the shit out of your jeeps ,by making them do high RPM's, tear them up more than lower RPM's????

forgive me but i screwed up the first post hahaha

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

x2...

My friend could do it in his stock Suzuki Samurai...we had people outside the vehicle confirm it. Granted we also tore the living shit out of his transmission in doing so...and about 15 minutes later, his clutch cable snapped while out on the trail...

haha well put. although im sure i slip the clutch a little too much -_-

(cough)bullshit(cough)

Someone had to come out and say it lol

Sorry bro but that's just a little far fetched

The only way I could see you having a chance of doing this is in 2lo, really light spring rates in the rear and if a bunch of your buddies jump on the rear bumper at the same time. Is that how you did it?

Maybe a couple of VERY fat chicks in the back seat???

I didn't know that Jeep made a back seat big enough for VERY fat chicks.

Yeah...He really messed stuff up when the clutch eventually let go...

With the torque of the I6 you're fine starting in 2nd if you have any forward momentum at all. With this motor, anyone who's been driving stick for more than a month can start in 2nd w/out lugging.

As far as front wheels in the air? Yeah right. W/ heavy 33's on the front, a front axle, etc... it's not coming up on the stock motor w/out a drag suspension setup and slicks. Sorry.

No problem with starting out in second. I'll find myself doing it a lot because 1st seems like overkill when I start to accelerate. It's a smoother ride, and as long as you're not chugging it (where it vibrates and you're below 1,000rpm), then you're in the clear.

HAASE?!?!?! What the hell are you doing on here?! LOL

...we still have that tranny sitting in the barn at work. haha