4 Speed Questions

[Kire]

For those of you who didn't see my first couple posts, I recently bought a 1986 Jimmy 4 Speed with a 305 (Soon to be 350, as the 305 is junk)

I've never driven a manual before, but have wanted a manual Blazer/Jimmy for 4 or 5 years now, since before I got my license. I know that most of learning to drive a manual is something that you kinda just have to practice, but what I really want to know is, which gear do I start it in? I've heard both first, and second. I thought starting in second was only for trucks that are geared lower, but I've been told that if I start in first, I might end up flying face first into something since it's meant for towing, and if I'm not pulling anything its going to lurch pretty hard.

I know some trucks would be labeled Low, 1, 2, and 3, and others are just 1, 2, 3, 4. My shifter doesn't have the original knob, so I'm not sure which it originally had, but since its just a Jimmy, I'm assuming the latter.

I just want to know what those of you with manual Jimmy's/Blazers, or similarly geared trucks(I don't know if K10's would be similar) start out in? I would try it myself, but since the 305 is junk, I really cant, and I don't really want to find out that first gear isn't the one to start in by getting a face full of steering wheel or dash.

Thanks!

 

[Chickntrk]

I start out in second in all my 4 speed trucks, however for learning it won’t hurt to start in first as it will be almost impossible to stall until you get a feel for the clutch etc, you won’t get a face full of dash, if anything you’d get thrown back in the seat. After you get used to the truck you’ll find that first is pretty useless for anything but towing or starting out on a steep incline.

 

[Wes Harden]

Sm465 are easy to learn on. 1st gear is a "Granny" gear of 6.55 to 1, this is a very low 1st gear. Like a small tractor would have. 2nd gear is 3.58 to 1, lower then 700r4 at 3 to 1, or turbo 350, or 2.53 to 1. Depending on your tire size and axle gear ratio 2nd gear start from stop is nothing to worry about. Fyi rev is 6.09 to 1, if nothing violent happens when using rev using 1st will be the same.

 

[Kire]

Alrighty, thank you both for the quick response!

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

I usually only start in granny 1st if I'm on an incline, pulling a heavy load or off road, other than that it revs out to quick during street driving.

 

[ZooMad75]

Starting in second is fine. Only if you go nuts with 35” tall tires (or taller) with crappy axle gearing will 1st gear be truly usable every time you take off.

 

[max 02]

I installed a 465 in my 77 k20 just to teach my kids how to drive a manual. Very easy to learn on.
Start out in 1st till you get used to it, won’t take long.
That trans shifts slowly don’t try to speed shift it. They aren’t made for that.

 

[dyeager535]

One thing to realize is that granny low isn't synchronized. It will not go into gear nearly as easily as it will into 2nd. You'll see when you start driving.

If that's a 305 with 3.08 gears (no idea if that combo existed with the manual) you might be using granny a lot more than those with better gears and more torque. My setup is 350/465/3.42 gears with 33's, and I'll use granny on a fairly steep slope or with my small trailer. I don't like slipping the clutch any more than necessary.

 

[Blue85]

2nd gear is 3.58 to 1, lower then 700r4 at 3 to 1, or turbo 350, or 2.53 to 1.

But an automatic has a torque converter, making the 700 more like 6.12 and the 350 more like 5.06 when you're taking off. I know the real-world effect isn't really 2x, but it still makes both of those autos have lower first gear than the 4-speed has in 2nd.

 

[chulisohombre]

As everyone else said 2nd gear is the one to start out in unless off road or steep incline. Granny I’m going 4-5 mph at 3000 rpm. It’s virtually useless on the street unless your rears are high gears. I have 4.10 on 35s and it’s a good all around mix for street and trail.