Steep Offroad Climbing

[strafingmoose]

Hi guys!

 

I went climbing this offroad trail that leads up to a mountain. Lots of big rocks and mud, but I was going slowly and didn't hear any hits at all under the truck.

 

It was very steep though. Did it in D since I didn't really hear weird tranny noises or the truck didn't stall or something. But next time I do that, should I use another gear like 2 or 3 ?

 

Want to make sure I ain't damaging the tranny prematurely.

 

Thanks

[HawkeyeOC]

Put it in lower gears if you feel you need more control over your vehicle at lower speeds. No damage would be done either way.

I tend to use lower gears when going down steeper hills off road to save the brakes.

 

If your truck is 4wd, It would help to put it in auto mode and leave it while you are off road

[asilverblazer]

The owners manual has some good suggestions for what's best for your truck.

 

If it is so steep you are concerned of what you should be doing differently I'd suggest 4-Low, D and go.

[slimjim2525]

[strafingmoose]

Forgot to mention, I'm riding a RWD with the G80 differential lock. But like I said, it climbed without any problems. I was just curious if using lower gears could spare some wear in the hardware somewhere.

 

Actually, it did exacerbate a U joint squeaking I had before. Gone since I had both replaced

[98silvz71]

For off-roading I like to keep it in a low gear to maintain a steady pace. I know with my 98 if you put it in 2nd it would only use second and not downshift. But I had a corvette servo and some other crap that the previous owner put in it. Kind of the same with a 4-wheeler, low gear is much smoother than high gear.