using the starter to crawl

CasterTroy

CasterTroy

Faster'N You
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Wallburg
In the new Four Wheeler it talks about replacing the starter on their project F150 and mention a starter with 100% more power....stating that if we had a straight drive this would be just the ticket to using the starter to crawl over obsticles?!?!?!!?

Never heard of that? is that a common way to crawl?
 
Well, it's certainly not preferred, but when I parked my FJ on a hill, I wouldn't press in the clutch to start it, I'd just crank it in gear...

I did remember a video from a few years ago watching Scott from Rockstomper use the starter more than the engine with his old Toyota thing on 44's.. :p
 
Technically, it's the lowest gear you'll have, and like Rich said, it isn't the preffered method of crawl.

The right starter (gear reduction preffered) and cabling to power said starter, you shouldn't have issue occasionally using the starter to get out of a jam.

I've used mine countless times, ( and I usually carry a spare ) and the looks on folks faces when you beat what ever obstical using the starter to get moving with out rolling back after a stall.

For the Runner, stock gear reduction Nippon Denso 1.4kw (approx 2.0hp) starter, 2gauge cable from battery(s) and 2ga cable for ground. My truck fully loaded crawling up a rock on the starter,draws 280 amps, low range first gear ( using a forklift rated amp gauge ) About what the Ramsey Rep8000 winch draws single line with the same load, grade. 800ca Optima Red top. On those same testing runs, I also melted the positive cable end at the battery ( lead terminal end, standard issue parts store junk) have since been using Brass high amp load stereo stuff with no issues.

If the vehicle is setup to do it, there should be little issue.

Kevin
 
Yeah if im correct you can do it with mean green starters also
Ryan
 
i've done it but it wasn't for crawling the rocks. it was cause i sank my distributer and stalled out in some mud. tossed it in reversus, and cranked my way back up to higher drier ground. only works if you have some way to by-pass the clutch interlock though
 
Works just fine. Not the best idea for long pulls though.

Couple points to be aware of. Not bad things - just things to keep in mind.

If your engine does start while cranking, be prepared for a rapid change in speed when she catches. And 200 starter RPM jumps up to 700 engine RPMs. In a touchy situation it could be - ahem - exciting.

If your in water up to the starter - this is not really a good idea. And for some reason Ford/Jeep starters are especially unhappy about being cranked under water. Delcos, Nipon, Bosch seem to be less upset by this for some reason.

You might want to try this at home (or someplace comfy) a couple times, before you count on it on the trail. Because if your starting system is not in good condition, you WILL find the weak points in it rather quickly.

Better to find and fix/upgrade ahead of time.
 
Rich said:
Well, it's certainly not preferred, but when I parked my FJ on a hill, I wouldn't press in the clutch to start it, I'd just crank it in gear...

I did remember a video from a few years ago watching Scott from Rockstomper use the starter more than the engine with his old Toyota thing on 44's.. :p
Click to expand...
I lost my brakes once on a very very steap Hill and I had to Stall it to keep from Killing myself. There was no way to start the truck without rolling back and falling to my death. so I Just cranked it is 4lo and granny and got my self back up on the road.
This is aslo Why I don't Wheel alone any more :)
 
I've used the starter to generate forward momentum. Ran out of gas on I40, luckily I was able to coast to the offramp and into a nearby gas station. I ended up a few feet shy of the pumps. With a little turn of the key switch, I was good to pump :driver:

Don't some newer rides have a 'safety' feature where you cant engage the starter with the clutch released?
 
Yeah they do, for exemple my honda civic, clutch must be pushed in ALL the way before it will do anything, my jeep on the other hand loves to run people over Ahem my mother ahem when i forget its in gear and try to start it. HAHAHA NOO i didnt really do that but It was a little to close
 
most new vehicls have a safety switch on the clutch pedal to prevent running over your mother, but they can easily be jumped or removed so you can start in gear. Toyota was smart, they put a clutch start cancel switch in so you don't have to jump the switch. just push the button and crank away.
 
Back
Top