Really Dumn newby ? (Dodge) - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

xytrix01 · 02-26-2003, 09:50 PM

Ok, I have a chance to get an '89 Dodge for the best price i can think of. FREE!!! And it runs!!! I want to turn it into a 4X4 fun machine. It needs a new fron U joint and a windshield, but other than that, it's a runner. My worry is that it has a clutch not an auto, and as a beginer to the 4 wheel world, I want to know how hard this will make things for me. I can drive a 6 speed just fine on the streets, but dirt is another story. I've never done it. Any advice on driving this beast would be much apreciated. Also tips on how I can learn some of the skills I will need are welcomed.

Thank you!

RedBullJeep · 02-26-2003, 10:19 PM

You can wheel in anything with wheels...really, if you learn to drive a stick - fullsize, then in a couple years when you can afford to step into a trail-rig, you can drive ANYTHING cause you've learned to drive in a harder situation.

West0n · 02-27-2003, 04:33 AM

the most important thing when doing any wheeling is to take your time. If you get in a jam, try to slow down and think things through.

If you know how to drive a manual transmission, then you're almost all the way there. all you need to do is to fine tune some petal skills

when my girlfriend first started learning to wheel, she would panic and eiither drop the clutch or nail the brake/gass petals. It turned into several predicaments. So i rigged up a hand throtle out of parts from a lawn mower. This allows you to set the idle where ever you want and it will remain constant (i cranked it to 1800rpm usually). Now all she had to worry about was the brake and clutch. With one less thing to worry about, she was able to concentrate more. AND MAN WAS IT SMOOTHER, MY NECK WAS TAKING A BEATING.

goot luck to you

Mo · 02-27-2003, 06:09 AM

and as a new wheeler - DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH

just pick a gear (99% of the time it'll be first) and stick to it over the obsticle... no need for the clutch

xytrix01 · 03-18-2003, 10:05 PM

SO then...When i bought an '89 Jeep Cherokee instead. It cost me $1800, but its in good shape. It's still a 5 speed thouigh, so I can still use the advice! Thanks all!

boz88xj · 03-18-2003, 10:13 PM

Youll be happier with the cherokee!

Jeep2NR · 03-18-2003, 10:45 PM

Definitely get a hand throttle. Make one yourself from a bicycle gear selector and cable. Be easy on the clutch. HAVE FUN!

Keith Strong · 03-19-2003, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeep2NR
Definitely get a hand throttle. Make one yourself from a bicycle gear selector and cable. Be easy on the clutch. HAVE FUN!

Why not just get gears for it

Welcome newbie

Sully · 03-19-2003, 04:26 PM

My Scout is a manual, and it's never stopped me from wheeling!

NE-RokToy · 03-19-2003, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Strong

Why not just get gears for it Welcome newbie

or learn to drive. Still never learned what the damn hand throttles are for.... unless its a rig with on board welder.

91Yota22RE · 03-25-2003, 01:34 PM

personally I have never owned due to my choice an auto tran. I think that they are only good for one thing and that is traffic congestion. You will find more performance, control, and enjoyment out of the manual. like the guys said also just take your foot off the clutch and keep the thing going and you should not have to worry about any stall situations. For me also when I only had a rear wheel drive pick up I would rock the thing when I was trying to get un stuck and you can do that a lot safer faster and effectivly with a manual. Honestly manual is the only way to go.

Erich In AZ · 03-27-2003, 07:54 AM

Don't forget to use low range in the tough stuff, or you run the risk of nuking the clutch. Ask Hef how that works!

Two Dogs F..king · 03-27-2003, 08:05 AM

I have SM465 (4 speed for the newbs), and it's easy as hell. It makes it alot easier to do just about everything.

44Runner · 03-27-2003, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by erich_in_AZ
Don't forget to use low range in the tough stuff, or you run the risk of nuking the clutch. Ask Hef how that works!

poor guy, you think he will ever live that down?

probably not...

demonranger · 03-27-2003, 06:57 PM

no problem with a stick here works fine just got to make sure if your bell has a hole to check clutch wear it's covered so mud don't get in there & be carefull to to crystalize the clutch when you get it wet

uglyscout · 03-27-2003, 09:38 PM

Get it. Wheel it. LEARN! Thats how everyone else started

Even the best wheelers had to start somewhere.

02-26-2003, 09:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
xytrix01 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17389 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 10	Really Dumn newby ? (Dodge) Ok, I have a chance to get an '89 Dodge for the best price i can think of. FREE!!! And it runs!!! I want to turn it into a 4X4 fun machine. It needs a new fron U joint and a windshield, but other than that, it's a runner. My worry is that it has a clutch not an auto, and as a beginer to the 4 wheel world, I want to know how hard this will make things for me. I can drive a 6 speed just fine on the streets, but dirt is another story. I've never done it. Any advice on driving this beast would be much apreciated. Also tips on how I can learn some of the skills I will need are welcomed. Thank you! __________________ Before you judge a person walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes! "There is no spoon" -The Matrix

02-26-2003, 10:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
RedBullJeep Pirate is KING! Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12217 Location: San Diego Area Posts: 13,503	You can wheel in anything with wheels...really, if you learn to drive a stick - fullsize, then in a couple years when you can afford to step into a trail-rig, you can drive ANYTHING cause you've learned to drive in a harder situation. __________________ . Dustin Webster Red Bull RockCrawling Team RockHer 1 - SOLD STILL FOR SALE - Toter and trailer, RockHer 2, and KOH TJ. Click for details

02-27-2003, 04:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
West0n Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14847 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 373	the most important thing when doing any wheeling is to take your time. If you get in a jam, try to slow down and think things through. If you know how to drive a manual transmission, then you're almost all the way there. all you need to do is to fine tune some petal skills when my girlfriend first started learning to wheel, she would panic and eiither drop the clutch or nail the brake/gass petals. It turned into several predicaments. So i rigged up a hand throtle out of parts from a lawn mower. This allows you to set the idle where ever you want and it will remain constant (i cranked it to 1800rpm usually). Now all she had to worry about was the brake and clutch. With one less thing to worry about, she was able to concentrate more. AND MAN WAS IT SMOOTHER, MY NECK WAS TAKING A BEATING. goot luck to you __________________ 79 toy 42 irok, 335 hp 22r, turbo on propane [url]www.dahnautomotive.com[/url] 480-786-0187

03-18-2003, 10:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
xytrix01 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17389 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 10	So then.... SO then...When i bought an '89 Jeep Cherokee instead. It cost me $1800, but its in good shape. It's still a 5 speed thouigh, so I can still use the advice! Thanks all! __________________ Before you judge a person walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes! "There is no spoon" -The Matrix

03-18-2003, 10:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
boz88xj Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11672 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 285	Youll be happier with the cherokee! __________________ 1988 RattleCan Primer Green XJ 4.5" Tomken/Custom Lift 33x12.50 Geolander MT's on 15x8 AR767's. If I had money for groceries, Id get em in this.

02-27-2003, 06:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mo Everyday is Tuesday. Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 47 Location: Lizzy, CO Posts: 15,650	and as a new wheeler - DON'T RIDE THE CLUTCH just pick a gear (99% of the time it'll be first) and stick to it over the obsticle... no need for the clutch

03-18-2003, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeep2NR Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13464 Location: Charlotte, N.C. Posts: 12	Definitely get a hand throttle. Make one yourself from a bicycle gear selector and cable. Be easy on the clutch. HAVE FUN! __________________ Late night wheelin' is the best

03-19-2003, 04:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sully Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12121 Location: Live Free or Die Posts: 4,774	My Scout is a manual, and it's never stopped me from wheeling! __________________ Live Free or Die Why is mankind the only species that attempts to preserve the shallow end of its gene pool?

03-25-2003, 01:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
91Yota22RE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16598 Location: Plymouth, MN Posts: 52	personally I have never owned due to my choice an auto tran. I think that they are only good for one thing and that is traffic congestion. You will find more performance, control, and enjoyment out of the manual. like the guys said also just take your foot off the clutch and keep the thing going and you should not have to worry about any stall situations. For me also when I only had a rear wheel drive pick up I would rock the thing when I was trying to get un stuck and you can do that a lot safer faster and effectivly with a manual. Honestly manual is the only way to go. __________________ Lifes Easy! I know we all can't stay here forever. So I want to write my words on the face of today. Until they paint it -Shannon Hoon-

03-27-2003, 07:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
Erich In AZ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10994 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 2,926	Don't forget to use low range in the tough stuff, or you run the risk of nuking the clutch. Ask Hef how that works! __________________ [url]www.wheelingarizona.com[/url] [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SilverZuk [/i] [B]I always heard this is an Extreme Rockcrawling site, but I just come here to make fun of people. [/B][/QUOTE]

03-27-2003, 08:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Two Dogs F..king Banned Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11585 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 0	I have SM465 (4 speed for the newbs), and it's easy as hell. It makes it alot easier to do just about everything.

03-27-2003, 06:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
demonranger Rock God Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 18283 Location: Florida Posts: 1,285	no problem with a stick here works fine just got to make sure if your bell has a hole to check clutch wear it's covered so mud don't get in there & be carefull to to crystalize the clutch when you get it wet __________________ There are no rules. You have to think!

03-27-2003, 09:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
uglyscout Dana 44 Polisher Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13731 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 3,301	Get it. Wheel it. LEARN! Thats how everyone else started Even the best wheelers had to start somewhere. __________________ Buy my stuff!!! High Pinion Dana 44 for an Early Bronco Almost brand new 39.5x13.5x15 IROKS

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