I own a 2003 Rubicon and use it to launch/retrieve a 19 foot ski boat. I have been using Low Range ESP first gear to get the boat up the launch ramp and then after about 150 feet of a relatively level stretch there is a rather steep short hill. I have been shifting into second gear to develop some speed on the level stretch and let the momentum carry me up the hill rather than crawl up in first gear. Near the top I have to shift back down into first gear as the engine loses power. Would I be better off using Low Range D2 Auto and let the Rubicon determine the best RPM range/transmission swash plate angle to accomplish the hill climb? Also, does Low Range ESP first gear set the swash plate to the absolute lowest angle for maximum power or will Low Range Auto set it to an even lower angle if it needs to? I hesitate to just go out and try it in Auto for fear that it might not give me the same pulling power as ESP first gear, and I don't want to find out the hard way - halfway up the hill!!!

Thanks,

MXF

 

I don't think there is any difference between 1 ESP and D2 in low range. D2 is the only auto low mode. I don't think it would hurt a thing to use D2 low, I probably would.