Auto Tranny and "locking in a low gear"

[crahm]

Great site. I've learned a lot about K5s and am starting my search for a 77 up Blazer. I posted earlier I'm looking for a mud vehicle, not a rock climber (North Texas - no rocks). I come from a standard gearbox history and have a question about how the low transfer boxes work on the Blazers with auto trannys. When you select 2nd gear, low box, does the Blazer start from a stop in 2nd or does it start in 1st, then shift to 2nd? Sometimes when I'm in the very slick wet clay mud, I'd rather start in a slightly higher gear and stay there to prevent wheel slippage. Comments?

 

[HarryH3]

Re: Auto Tranny and \"locking in a low gear\"

The stock configuration is that it will start in 1st, then shift to 2nd.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</A>
It's a great day to be alive...

 

[6.2Blazer]

Re: Auto Tranny and \"locking in a low gear\"

Yep, it will always start in first gear. However, I've always had good luck with keeping the tranny in 2nd (4 wheel low) when in slippery conditions. When in low range, if you take off with a real light throttle it will very quickly shift into second gear and will stay there (at least on mine). I have thought about a full manual valve body, which when installed makes you have to manually shift the transmission.

 

[klier]

Re: Auto Tranny and \"locking in a low gear\"

I've had the same experience as 6.2Blazer had. Really light-throttle acceleration in 4-low will make the TH350 shift to 2nd gear really fast. I don't have to worry about the tranny upshifting back to 1st, because my detent cable is currently not attached.

Brian Klier
'74 Jimmy/'86 Blazer Hybrid
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://kliernetwork.net/truckproject>http://kliernetwork.net/truckproject</A>

 

[Twiz]

I could be goofy and thinking of something else, but...

I thought it started in first, up-shift to 2nd and stay there, until shifted manualy out of 2nd gear by the driver (so, if you select 2nd gear, let it shift into 2nd, then brake again, it would stay in 2nd gear.) After all, thats one of the ressons G.M. gave the driver the option to shift into 2nd gear, for 2nd gear decents and excelleration from a standing stop (for slick/icey/snowy conditions). Allthough, all of the T350 auto tranys I've driven had shift kits in 'em and maybe that was one of the side-benifits of the shift kit. Awe-well -whatever.

Twiztid

Ohh yeah, current count of T350 trannys loookin' for a home -5, soon to be 6- I have no idea what to do with them all, but everyone's taking them out and putting 700s back in, so guess who's takin in the poor ol' things.
I guess I'm the "ThatK30Guy" of Turbo 350s.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Twiztid on 06/27/01 07:06 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: Auto Tranny and \"locking in a low gear\"

Nothing wrong with that! I wouldn't mind having 5 spare trannys, even though my truck already has a 700R4!

Tim
'84 Chevy K10, lifted, loud, fast, and 3/4 ton axles

 

[HarryH3]

Re: Auto Tranny and \"locking in a low gear\"

All of mine have always shifted back to first when going slow enough. It won't upshift past 2nd, but it will downshift.

The 4L60E in our '94 Suburban starts in 2nd and stays in 2nd if you select "2" on the shift quadrant. Some new trannies will also upshift, regardless of shift quadrant selection, once a certain RPM is reached. It keeps you from damaging the engine by over-revving.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck>http://www.angelfire.com/super/ThunderTruck</A>
It's a great day to be alive...