First Offroad

[jmrwd3]

Hey, so i had my first offroad experience ever today, and it was kinda..... worrisome! I have a '99 five speed and wanted to go up a steep incline, i put it in 4 low and went real slow but i have a couple of questions... 1) is that stressful on the frame, i mean i don't think the back right tire was in contact with the ground, can that hurt my truck? and 2) Does the clutch need to be worked differently in 4low, i am experienced in sticks, but i think i was riding the clutch a little. Thanks!
~You can tell i drove a jetta before this.

 

[techno]

Yes it does put extra stresses on the frame but the vehicle is designed to withstand them. It is not problem to lift a wheel and it will not hurt your truck at all. It may mean you stop moving forward and get stuck (unless you have 4wd engaged and/or lockers etc).
Use your clutch normally off road but be extremely carefull when stopping or starting on very steep hills. Avoid changing gears if possible during ascents and decents, this reduces the risk of 'missing' a change or not changing quick enough, and then losing control of your rig as it rapidly accelerates downhill.
When stopping on a very steep hill DO NOT use the clutch. Simply turn the engine off and apply the handbrake.
When starting off going UP on a very steep hill, use the 'handbrake start' method.
When starting off going DOWN on a very steephill, with the engine off, select your gear (Low 1st), let the clutch out, take the handbrake off and then simply turn the engine on. This is called a 'key start'.
If you do deep river crossings try not to change gears mid stream so you dont get water between the clutch plate and the flywheel.
Thats about all I can think of.....

 

[fireteacher]

glad you had fun. wheres the pics!

anyhow wheelstands are cool! and scary at first