2nd Gear Switch - Who uses that? Why?

[PEGUSAS]

I have a 95 LC. It has a "2nd" gear switch near the H N L control lever. According to the owners manual, I should use this while driving in snow or mud. Why? What is the advantange? While it appears to work in both high and low range, is it more effective in one or the other?

 

[OGBeno]

Use it all the time in 4L where it really assists in getting going between a slow spot and a faster stretch of trail before your next slow spot.

 

[Prophecy]

I have it engaged all the time while in 4 low, the only time I let if off is when its time to crawl.

Jeremy

 

[Bjohnston115]

I think you all have this confused (unless i am confused...) The truck should be in 4H all the time. The only time you put it in 4L is if you are doing some serious offroading or if you are stuck. if you notice when you put the truck in 4L you will be at 5000 rpms and not going anywhere.

 

[Polar Bear]

About the only time that button gets used is when we get a nice thick coating of freezing rain or compacted snow and ice. Makes getting started on off camber/ uphill much easier. This is only on the road in high range.

Never have tried it off road in low- not a bad idea for the faster sections between crawling. That would probably keep the sniveling to a minimum from my passengers every time the trans shifts 1-2 with some authority.

 

[Prophecy]

Bjohn - you are absolutley correct, we are talking about the ONLY time though we use the 2nd gear button though. To avoid the 5000 rpms your speaking of, we use the 2nd gear button. It makes the 4low drivable in between crawling spots on the trails, keeps the rpms down and makes it easier on the vehicle. When you get to a challenging spot you just reach over and hit the button off. Switching it back into 1st gear of 4low. Hope that clears it up.

Jeremy

 

[Bjohnston115]

Bjohn - you are absolutley correct, we are talking about the ONLY time though we use the 2nd gear button though. To avoid the 5000 rpms your speaking of, we use the 2nd gear button. It makes the 4low drivable in between crawling spots on the trails, keeps the rpms down and makes it easier on the vehicle. When you get to a challenging spot you just reach over and hit the button off. Switching it back into 1st gear of 4low. Hope that clears it up.

Jeremy

Thanks for clearing that up, i thought i was in the twilight zone when i saw that you should always drive in 4L.

 

[PEGUSAS]

Good Points- but what about the physics?

Great point about using the second gear between crawling points - Great tip - I will use that one! That will definetely save riders from snapping their necks back and forth.

On another note - what is the physics behind using 2nd gear for snow and mud? Does starting off in 2nd prevent you from breaking traction while going on snow and mud?

 

[Nemo]

Use mine here in Colorado when snowing. Keeps me from having to pay too much attention to my start off. It starts in 2nd which keeps wheel spin to zero and when crawling it keeps the jerking to a minimum.

 

[Tools R Us]

Bjohn - you are absolutley correct, we are talking about the ONLY time though we use the 2nd gear button though. To avoid the 5000 rpms your speaking of, we use the 2nd gear button. It makes the 4low drivable in between crawling spots on the trails, keeps the rpms down and makes it easier on the vehicle. When you get to a challenging spot you just reach over and hit the button off. Switching it back into 1st gear of 4low. Hope that clears it up.

Jeremy

Exactly, the only problem is forgetting to turn it off, that can bring the !

 

[donutfj80]

Is the wireing there to add the 2nd gear switch to the earlyer FZJ's?

 

[Polar Bear]

Great point about using the second gear between crawling points - Great tip - I will use that one! That will definetely save riders from snapping their necks back and forth.

On another note - what is the physics behind using 2nd gear for snow and mud? Does starting off in 2nd prevent you from breaking traction while going on snow and mud?

Its all about mechanical advantage. The same way low gears give you more torque using the same amount of engine power, the switch locks out first gear effectively making you start out in second gear and the truck behaves like it had super tall highway gears starting out. This provides less wheel spin in low traction situation by lessening the available torque.

 

[kidglove13]

Is the wireing there to add the 2nd gear switch to the earlyer FZJ's?

Like he said
can this be added?
I have a 94, could this be added as a mod or not

 

[lordbater]

Are yall talking about 2nd gear start? ('91 doesn't have the button)
is this for people who are to lazy to shift into 2nd?
so if your button is not engaged and you shift into second your car will start in first then shift no higher than second?
How strange, I've never driven another cruiser, so I haven't seen too many of the 'features'

a

 

[Nemo]

Are yall talking about 2nd gear start? ('91 doesn't have the button)
is this for people who are to lazy to shift into 2nd?
so if your button is not engaged and you shift into second your car will start in first then shift no higher than second?
How strange, I've never driven another cruiser, so I haven't seen too many of the 'features'

a

2nd Gear start button on Center Console by the shifter. Shifting into 2nd doesn't start it in 2nd. It goes from 1st then 2nd when shifter is placed into 2nd gear. 2nd gear start causes the cruiser to start in 2nd and then up to whatever. Shifting into 2nd limits it to not leaving 2nd gear on it's way up the shift points.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Yes, they are talking about the 2nd gear start button...

I also use it while wheeling. If you leave the button on, you have total control over 1st and 2nd gear. The trans will still shift into first with the stick if you have the button on. If you have the button on and leave the trans in "2", you are locked in 2nd gear. I love that button!

 

[lordbater]

2nd Gear start button on Center Console by the shifter. Shifting into 2nd doesn't start it in 2nd. It goes from 1st then 2nd when shifter is placed into 2nd gear. 2nd gear start causes the cruiser to start in 2nd and then up to whatever. Shifting into 2nd limits it to not leaving 2nd gear on it's way up the shift points.

My '91 will start in 2nd when I leave the shifter in 2nd, I knew all 80s had 2nd gear start, I just didn't realize yall had a button.

Every time I drive the girlfriends jeep offroad I'm withing it had second gear start..

a

 

[Mark Grant]

My '91 will start in 2nd when I leave the shifter in 2nd, I knew all 80s had 2nd gear start, I just didn't realize yall had a button.

Every time I drive the girlfriends jeep offroad I'm withing it had second gear start..

a

You still don't get it...pushing the button starts you off in 2nd. We still get third and overdrive while that button is pushed. When your ride is in 2nd, that's the only gear you've got. Do you understand now?

 

[kidglove13]

not all 80 's have 2nd gear start my 94 will start in first then to second when the shifter is in 2nd gear
Can the button be added to my 94 is the question?
There was one thread I found about it and the same question never got answered.

 

[Tools R Us]

not all 80 's have 2nd gear start my 94 will start in first then to second when the shifter is in 2nd gear

That is correct operation for a properly functioning trans.

Can the button be added to my 94 is the question?
There was one thread I found about it and the same question never got answered.

My research says no, the ECU is not enabled for it.