some beginner manual starting issues

Keep yer chin up and good luck

 

I wish I had pics of my first clutch I ever changed. Lets just say the intermediate plate was almost broken in half and the 2 clutch discs were so warpped that they looked like soup bowls when I pulled them out.

 

If you start in too high a gear, the engine will stall, computer not-with-standing.

 

You are not the first one to say never use higher than second. I have had my license for over 30 years, have over 15 years experience and have owned 4 trucks, 2 with 10 speeds and 2 with 13 speeds. Empty, I always start in 3rd gear, bobtailing in 4, skipping 5th. While does seem to be a safe thing to tell a rookie driver, once someone gets the hang of shifting, he or she should start the truck in the most efficient gear, and with an empty truck, unless it has 2.26 gears, 2nd isn't it.

 

Like everyone has said, you do not need to give a modern diesel engine any fuel while letting out the clutch. If you are light enough, and not geared too fast, when you let the clutch out, the engine won't bog down, and the truck shouldn't hop. Once the clutch is fully engaged, press on the accelerator lightly. They suggest you imagine there is an egg that will break if you push too hard. In low range, unless you are heavy going uphill, you should never wind the engine over 1000 rpm. Once in the hi range, you can progressively wind it higher each shift. I double clutch, but if you float smoothly, make that work for you. If you miss a shift, and have to wind it up to get it into gear, you should stab the clutch when your RPMs are right instead of cramming it in. It will shock the driveline less that way. Don't become discouraged if the gears rake a little. Sometimes your timing will be off, and you don't make every shift. If you ride with someone who shifts nicely, get pointers from him or her.