David Kao typed: > Even with 4-speed manual tranny vanagons (2WD) will be difficult to > drive on very bumpy roads, especially going uphill. When going uphill > on bumpy road you have to drive very slowly (unless you enjoy rock & > roll). But then the engine just does not have enough torque at low > RPM. The van won't move and the engine will stall. But if you step on > the pedal to increase torque the van would want to go too fast. Kids > riding in the vanagon could be tossed off the seats. > > The solution to me was to use the clutch to battle with the problem. > I would drive slowly. And I would step on the clutch before the engine > stalls. I rev up the engine then engage the clutch to move on. Very > stressful to the clutch. But there wasn't anything else I could do. I dunno about popping the clutch much, I'd probably do that as needed, but also use a combination of gas pedal and clutch pedal and slippage to keep the engine running and the van moving. Exactly why I wished I'd-a had a manual instead of the auto in Mellow Yellow. I think I've owned one car in my lifetime with an auto. I like manuals because I have more control over rpms and ground speed.
-- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano KG6RCR |
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