Driving in 2nd low versus 1st high - differences?

It is truly annoying that you get only one lower gear with Jimny's low range.
As far as I remember, Land Rover Defender has 3:1 reduction ratio in low range, so you get two additional low gears.

So, Jimny's low range is only useful for having one lower gear, lower reverse, and 3rd low gear which is something like "1.5 high gear". Correct?


Also, is it bad practice to drive in 4th and 5th low gear?
5th low gear should be something like "2.5 high gear". But maybe the gearing combination of a very high gear and low ratio might be too stressful on some transmission components?
You know, I'm applying general analogy logic, comparing the case like when driving a multi-speed bicycle, it is a bad practice to mix high front and low back gears and vice versa, as it twists the chain causing premature chain and gear wear.

Remember low ratio is also 4WD don't drive on a grippy surface ie tarmac in 4Lo

Cheers,
John.

Johnniehec wrote: Remember low ratio is also 4WD don't drive on a grippy surface ie tarmac in 4Lo

Cheers,
John.

Which is why I have a 2WD kit in Low box

maverick wrote:

Busta wrote:

maverick wrote: You want to try it with a 6.5:1 Low Box

How do they compare? What gear would be the equivalent of 1st high?

5th Gear in Low box is lower than 1st Gear in High Box ... Basically i can get about 15mph in 5th Gear Low Box

You must find you are shifting between ranges a lot. Do you ever use 1st low?

Johnniehec wrote: Remember low ratio is also 4WD don't drive on a grippy surface ie tarmac in 4Lo

Cheers,
John.

Everybody knows that. You can still do it if you want though. Or just fit a 2-low switch and never have to worry.

1st Low is used on STEEP declines - remember that "Traction is King" so you DO NOT need to be using your brakes or de-clutch on steep declines ...

Also 1st Low can be used on serious inclines, but the Torque created in 1st Low and with a Lockrite in the rear, 2nd gear is best

... leaving 1st Low for desperate times!!

Of course that low range on a Jimny implies that 4WD is on and therefore transmission can become wound up on solid ground.



I usually use low range, not just when descending steeply, but also when going over any rather rough ground, as it helps me adhere to the rule "as slow as possible and as fast as necessary". First three low gears in those occasions really aid in matching the appropriate speed on minimum throttle just perfectly (my Jimny is DDiS so I harness diesel's low RPM torque).

It's just a pity that the 2nd low and 4th low gears are no different to 1st high and 2nd high.


So, is using 4h low 5th low a bad practice? I find myself lazy at times to swith from 4WD-L to 4WD-H for short sections of flatter (but still slippery) road where low range is not needed. So I drive in 4th or 5th low over those sections.