Changing between Low and High range on the move

Shanec · Apr 12, 2016

I thought before trying this and ripping a box off the chassis at speed, id ask here and learn from others.

Say I am towing 3.5t and obviously this is stressful to any vehicle when pulling away from stand still, and even worse on an upward slope. I do not want to punch a hole through clutch fork or snap clutch springs as it took me 25 hours to replace these items.

Should I start off in low range, using low and high as splitter gears?

I'm also clueless about if you can move from high to low and low to high whilst travelling?

Kwakerman · Apr 12, 2016

Shanec said:
I thought before trying this and ripping a box off the chassis at speed, id ask here and learn from others.

Say I am towing 3.5t and obviously this is stressful to any vehicle when pulling away from stand still, and even worse on an upward slope. I do not want to punch a hole through clutch fork or snap clutch springs as it took me 25 hours to replace these items.

Should I start off in low range, using low and high as splitter gears?

I'm also clueless about if you can move from high to low and low to high whilst travelling?

Low to high can be done on the move (not sure about high to low) but it takes practice and is a more complex version of double declutching, I think it is explained in the user manual.

Kwakerman · Apr 12, 2016

Here you go

FlyingPete · Apr 12, 2016

It's basically an unsynchronised gearbox, so you can double-clutch to change range. Low to high is a bit easier than the other way. My 1988 owners' manual states the following procedure:
- Clutch in
- Transfer to neutral
- Main gear lever down a couple of gears
- Clutch out
- Clutch in
- Transfer to high (don't force it)
- Clutch out

It may grind a little bit. Going the other way is harder as you'll have to rev the engine a bit to match the speeds. 4th gear low is approximately the same ratio as 2nd gear high, so you could start off in low, working your way up to 4th, then switch to 2nd gear high range and carry on. 5th gear low is somewhere between 2nd and 3rd high.

Shanec · Apr 12, 2016

Very very very helpful of you both - the picture and the equivalent gearing has helped me with a starting point.

Will start practicing on way to and from work.

warrior · Apr 12, 2016

I used to do this in my 90 when I was towing my challenge truck,

Started in 1st low,2L,3L 4L, then N on gearbox, pull out f L on transfer, clutch out, clutch in, into high, then into 2nd

it takes some practice

IamRobbie · Apr 12, 2016

Ive learnt something here because usually I stop and put my main gear into neutral with the clutch up then change from low to high or vise versa... Mint!

FlyingPete · Apr 12, 2016

It's quite useful in traffic too! In a slow-moving queue, you can crawl along in 2nd gear low which reduces clutch use and gives your left leg a rest. Being able to see over traffic gives you a handy indication of when to switch back to high range.

warrior · Apr 16, 2016

FlyingPete said:
It's quite useful in traffic too! In a slow-moving queue, you can crawl along in 2nd gear low which reduces clutch use and gives your left leg a rest. Being able to see over traffic gives you a handy indication of when to switch back to high range.

Very true also annoys people behind as you creep along very slowly

blue beasty · Apr 16, 2016

High to low is far more tricky, ive only needed to do it once on the road towing a heavy load of logs up a virtual cliff face and I really, REALLY didn't want to stop

Changing between Low and High range on the move

Shanec

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Kwakerman

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FlyingPete

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blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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