Which gear for offroading?

[bradentyrer]

I completed the Land Rover Test Track today in my 4Runner, after hours. It performed great, but I did the course in 3rd and 4th gear? Which gear should I use for a given type of off road driving? I'm concerned I wasn't using a low enough gear.

Thanks

 

[NJshadow93]

As long as you take it out of overdrive, you're fine. If you're gonna be crawling then drop it lower.

 

[bradentyrer]

Now I know the overdrive on my 96 - but how do i disengage in the 03? 4LO?

 

[NJshadow93]

Nah, on your shifter you normally drive in D, correct? That's overdrive. Once you push the shift knob to the left to 4, or anything else, it's out of overdrive.

 

[Rattlecanpaint]

If you shifted into 3 or 4 you were probably still in 1st or 2nd when actually driving the course. It may start out in 2nd if you manually shift it there but generally if the shifter is in 3 or 4 it will still start out in 1st but not go any higher than where the shifter is (3 or 4). Clear as mud?

 

[Gerdo]

First, unless driving on easy dirt roads, I would run in 4Lo. This allows the engine to rev higher and allows the torque converter to lock up. When the torque converter is not locked, it will create heat. Heat will destroy the fluid and can hurt the transmission.

Next, on an automatic transmission rig, I would manually shift the transmission to also keep the RPMs up (2500+). This will also allow the engine to help hold the vehicle back while going down hills.