7MT Club

[wrbix]

Many comments on first being really short. Anyone played with starting out in second?
Last time I suggested this in another thread all the clutch-wear-worriers came out of the woodwork…….I’ve driven MTs since the 60s and have, for various reasons, started off in second from time to time and I’ve not experienced clutch wear issues. Done correctly starting in second doesn’t slip the clutch.

Looking forward to trying it myself…if/when my Bronco arrives.

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[AlpineDescent]

Oh man, you're going to like my new video coming out in the next few days! I did a full demo/review of the Manual. I'll let you know once it's released. just a bit more editing to do.

Awesome, keep me posted. I’m also interested in some of the bloopers and how you recovered. Even the best stall once in a while

 

[iamchewby]

Many comments on first being really short. Anyone played with starting out in second?
Last time I suggested this in another thread all the clutch-wear-worriers came out of the woodwork…….I’ve driven MTs since the 60s and have, for various reasons, started off in second from time to time and I’ve not experienced clutch wear issues. Done correctly starting in second doesn’t slip the clutch.

Looking forward to trying it myself…if/when my Bronco arrives.

I occasionally do second gear starts and have had no issues. My last manual I did second gear starts all the time and had to replace the clutch... at 120k miles... I think we'll be ok

 

[AlpineDescent]

Many comments on first being really short. Anyone played with starting out in second?
Last time I suggested this in another thread all the clutch-wear-worriers came out of the woodwork…….I’ve driven MTs since the 60s and have, for various reasons, started off in second from time to time and I’ve not experienced clutch wear issues. Done correctly starting in second doesn’t slip the clutch.

Looking forward to trying it myself…if/when my Bronco arrives.

Depending on the grade you are starting out on, it can make sense. If it’s an uphill start, I would stick with first, downhill, 2nd probably makes sense. Flat, depends on the gearing - sounds like second is a good choice for many here.

 

[Impatient]

Maybe its just the setup I have or its based on some of the other MTs I've driven but length of 1st feels just right to me. The auto start/stop on the other hand has taken getting used to.

 

[iamchewby]

Maybe its just the setup I have or its based on some of the other MTs I've driven but length of 1st feels just right to me. The auto start/stop on the other hand has taken getting used to.

What's your setup? I put 35's on mine and it was definitely an improvement

 

[Impatient]

What's your setup? I put 35's on mine and it was definitely an improvement

Mine is just the stock Badlands 17/33's. I think for the weight of the truck and the tires the gearing seems right to me. Though I'm coming from a Subaru where I had to shift out of first turning out of my driveway

 

[BroncoAZ]

The Bronco is the opposite of my last manual, a 2015 VW Passat TDI. First gear seemed crazy high in that car, second too. If slowing down to under 5 mph turning into a parking lot or something in second gear the car would stall. Forget starting in second, you had to rev it to start in first. On the good side the car went down the highway at 80 mph running 2,000 RPM and averaged 41 mpg over the 60K miles I owned it.

I have a desire to go to 35” or 37” tires, but no need at all. I don’t want to spoil the performance by adding a bunch of weight there, but the truck certainly seems geared to take it. I probably wouldn’t go past 315/70R17 BFG’s, but even there I’m adding 10# per tire. I’ll keep an eye out for some Raptor takeoffs, they look great on @billybong420 ’s truck.

 

[ricstang]

I love my Black Diamond 7 speed. Shifts very smoothly. Clutch does not take much effort. Shifting seems to work smoothest when using GOAT = SPORT. Had my first experience with Ice and snow this week. The GOAT = Slippery worked great. Did not slip and slide at all. I have to admit I like the indicator on the dash that tells you what gear you are in!
For reference I have driven manuals for 40 years, including old Beetles, Fox body 5.0 five speeds, 84 Dodge Ram, 87 F150, and my 2001 Bullitt.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Many comments on first being really short. Anyone played with starting out in second?

I felt like 2nd was just a touch too tall for a start from a dead stop ... at least 100% of the time, I'm certain it would have bad consequences for the clutch.
Now, if you had even the smallest amount of momentum, it would pull right through 2nd gear.
I started to do a lot of "California stops" or California rolls" as we called them when I was younger. LOL

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Maybe its just the setup I have or its based on some of the other MTs I've driven but length of 1st feels just right to me. The auto start/stop on the other hand has taken getting used to.

Funny how that works. I know there is at least one member here who thought 1st was too tall still.

All I know is, swapping too the 35's made a big improvement for how I drive a manual, or think a manual should feel.
My opinion for a daily driver would probably be :
4.46 = 33" tires optimum
4.70 = 35" tires optimum ... no experience with this set up though.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Still waiting for mine but I did find a 7MT demo BL last month to drive and it was awesome. I'm thinking I'm going to run around on the 33s for a while before deciding 33s/35s for the next set.

Badlands 4.7 L4 33" tires Off road is near perfect / On road 2nd gears pulls really strongly, 13/15 lbs of boost: 1st gear runs out of breath early, noticed less than 2 lbs of boost maximum; has to be computer pulling it out. Not looking for a V-`10 but traffic is thick in Florida. Purchased Premium Care so mods must be carefully thought out.

Great observation. It's likely the reason everyone complains Broncos are slow off the line, the tuning dumps boost in 1st to restrict multiplied torque.

 

[iamchewby]

4.70 = 35" tires optimum ... no experience with this set up though.

Accurate statement. I've said multiple times that the 4.70 seem much happier since I got 35s. If you have a manual BL, get 35's.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

the tuning dumps boost in 1st to restrict multiplied torque.

Turbo Subies did the same also, the thought was in first gear it would run to red line so incredibly fast if they didn't trim it down. Novices to manuals would over rev the hell out of it.
That was the general consensus anyways.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Anyone have any informative tales to spin about their three pedal Bronco? Anyone take it off-road yet? Any rock crawling? Anyone use the “Crank in Gear” feature?

Look up Dusty's videos for manual offroading. They're excellent.

Got a link?

He's a member here. @Dusty
Their youtube channel .... https://www.youtube.com/c/horsinaround

They start out with a bone stock , no option Base and started "benchmarking" its capabilities and aftermarket add-ons as they go.
So far, i think they have only added a lift and 35's.

Summary: He's an experienced offroader and thus far he is impressed with the Bronco's capabilities, short of the 30" donuts...

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