I was just thinking...

I was pretty far out into Tahoe National Forest yesterday. Miles from any cell phone service, and no one to go with me. I took my winch and a full tool kit. The rover did great, as it always does, but it left me thinking...

IF I break down, and IF I can fix the truck in the woods, what IF I'm out of battery power?

I've heard that 3rd gear is "direct" (gear on gear?) If I was in low-range, could I somehow get the transmission to engage into 3rd on demand? Say after I was rolling down a hill?

I hate to think about such things, and I know it would be terrible for the transmission, but could it be done?

 

Are you asking how to override the gear selector park interlock?

You lift up the trim ring around the shifter and push it out of the way with your finger. Once it's out of park is will shift freely unless you put it back in park.

 

No, it cannot be done with a auto trans.
It can actually be done, but you must be moving faster than 50mph.
You would have to start the truck rolling in neutral with the key in the "II" position and then once you reached the correct speed you would drop it into drive and the engine should start.
If the t-case was in low range your road speed would be less.
I did this with a carburrated car, I have no experience doing it with a fuel injected engine.
The fuel pump wont come on unless the engine is running, the engine wont run with out fuel, without fuel the the engine wont run and with no engine running the crank senor will not send a spark signal to the spark plugs.
It would just be easier to carry a jump box with you making sure it is fully charged.

 

And you have answered the question of "why do people run a 2 battery system?". If you are going into the boondocks alone (I'm guilty) with an AT equipped vehicle, a dead battery is a definate risk. I like Spike's idea of a Jump-box, cheap insurance.

 

And with the battery pack, get a hand held or mobile 2 meter radio (if you're a licensed ham) and program in the frequency for the Tahoe repeater. If there's no cell phone coverage and things really get bad, you can call for help. After all, you're driving a Disco.

Eric

 

Get one of these, set it off and help will be there in no time flat.

ACR ELECTRONICS Pathfinder3™ Search & Rescue Radar Transponder (SART) at West Marine

 

And don't forget a fully charged spare battery in a plastic storage box - more kick than a jump box, less wiring issues than adding a second battery and wiring harness. Just tie it down...., along with tools, a bag full of spare fuses of all sizes gleaned from Rovers awaiting recycling, including those big bolt in ones. A bulb or two to get you home. Pretty soon you will feel like you are on an expedition.