i'm wondering if its possible to install a clutch bypass switch on my ranger to help starting when stalled on a hill climb. if this is possible what would it cost , how hard is it to do , what are the downfalls/risks, where could i find the parts ?

 

I'm not sure what you're asking about. The Clutch Pedal Position switch currently tells the PCM when the pedal is all the way up or fully depressed. And it works the same way whether you're on a hill or not.

 

He wants to trick the truck into thinking the clutch is depressed, so he can restart on hills. Basically override the safety feature of having the clutch in to start.

It's an offroad trick that lets you start right away rather than some fast leg work when you stall it out on a hill. Works good in the mud too so that you do not have to depress the clutch and get crap in there if you stall.

Rubicon has it built in when in 4Lo, prior to 05 you had to pull a fuse.

 

Thanks, Carl. I used to drive Jeeps quite a bit in the California mountains and I can't recall a situation where this would have helped. Then again, those older Jeeps were from when men were men and they didn't have clutch/starter interlocks.

Totally defeating the interlock would be very easy. Interfacing it to operate only in 4LO like the Rubicon would probably be doable as well.

 

yup, good old stupidity...errr...I mean "safety" features

I can't imagine you would want to start it in 4Hi anyway, it would put a lot more strain on your starter.

 

definently would only use it in 4 low . I haven't stalled on a hill yet but only because i know that without a clutch bypass switch i'd probably end up having to back down the hill so if it looks that bad i turn around . Like if you are on a serious hill that is the limit of your truck ability and you have to do some fast foot work your more then likely going to roll back and overcoming that momentum may mean your not able to get started on the climb again . Backing down the hill is sketchy and dangerous.backing down is even worse because my wife is my spotter and can't pick a good line. i have alot of practice with the foot work and have learned to not roll back ( i generaly stall goin over really rocky sections when going super slow to avoid any bouncing which will compromise clearance.)i like to let out the clutch ultra slow until i just barely sense the clutch engaging and the rpms going down . Very quickly hit the gas and drop the clutch and your off but in 4 lo the gas pedal is so sensitive that its very easy for the truck to sort of lunge forward over or off the obstacle leading to bouncing and there goes the clearance. i wish the rangers E brake was on the center console and then you could use your hand in place of your foot. that gives me an idea , maybe some sort of extension on the e brake handle would make it so i could comfortably use the e brake tech. the thing with it is E brake does not ungage all 4 brakes so if the grade of the hill is too much the e brake alone may not hold you in place. stalling/rolling backwards is the main downfall of a stick offroad but i think with the bypass it could really help that . at this point stalling in a really tough section is my worste nightmare. when the going gets rough i feather the brake with my left foot and the gas with my right so that i have enough power that i won't stall but still move slow enough to stop from bouncing etc.this technique works good but is bad for the brakes and takes alot of practice to be smooth with the left foot on the brakes.this tech also gets alot harder when the truck is bucking and your trying to keep both feet in the perfect position now that you don't have the left foot on the floor to help brace your body from moving around. i'm wondering if duff traction bar will really help the bouncing?

 

I know that the 93 Tacoma has a Clutchless start button that allows you to start with using the clutch. I also know that they used to have a interface for remote start on manual vehicles but they did away with it as it didn't always work as it should and if the vehicle was in gear it would jump forward and stall causing lots of damage, but if you look real hard you might be able to find either of those and I am not sure if the Tacoma thing would work on a Ford.