tips on how to drive a manual diesel truck please

[HankHill]

Hello everybody I bought a 2004 6.0 4wd off road pkg 6ft bed ext cab 6speed I'm somewhat new to diesels I am most familiar with 7.3 IDI fords, you guys will probably laugh but I am not used to driving a manul transmission diesel and was wondering if you could give me some tips PLEASE I can drive a stickshift car with ease but have never driven a truck, and for some reason its taking me a while to get used to it any tips for the nooby would be verry helpful, thanks

[95dieselsmoke]

Stock clutch I assume? Start in 2nd gear as first is granny low.

[95dieselsmoke]

And to the .Org

[HankHill]

the clutch is awesome on the truck, it has 114k miles I'm going to guess previous owner had the clutch replaced right before he traded it in probably oem idk about anything aftermarket but you are right first gear is slowwwwww also I shift at about 2k rpms and thanks for the welcome 95dieselsmoke

[LORDDiESEL]

Originally Posted by 95dieselsmoke

Stock clutch I assume? Start in 2nd gear as first is granny low.

Nope, The trans is a 5 speed with a Low. Low is marked with L, and 1st is 1st.

[HankHill]

yep lorddiesel is correct my truck does have low

[95dieselsmoke]

Originally Posted by LORDDiESEL

Nope, The trans is a 5 speed with a Low. Low is marked with L, and 1st is 1st.

brainfart. Thanks for the correction

[2005F250]

6.0 sticks is a pedal game. They have no low end grunt and you really need to get the turbo spinning before you let the clutch out. If you let the clutch out while it's idling and punch it it's not going anywere.

[HankHill]

Haha don't sweat it 95dieselsmoke, and yes 2005F250, I found that I needed to get the rpms up and up then slowly let the clutch engage and off we go! I've gotten alot better took me a bit to get used the shifter being a bit odd and out of place, one question though I live in a stop and go traffic type town, but I am on the expressway/thruway alot but when I'm in town and I get on an incline and have to stop whats the best method to take off while on the hill so you do not roll into the car behind you? in cars that I have driven I would use the parking brake method sometimes but cant do that with a truck so what am I in for? lol, by the way thanks for all the feedback so far you guys

[2005F250]

If I'm in a roll back situation uh I think I do one of two things. One the engine will be idling and I'll let the clutch out until I feel the clutch start to grab and hold the truck in place but not fully released and once I feel it grab I'll hit the throttle and let the clutch out as I give it more throttle. Second I'll be one foot on the clutch and one and the brake and throttle. Usaully heel on brake and toes on throttle and then just play the pedal game from there.