Automatic 4wd for me any time, any place.

The old two speed power glide eh, how good were those things in the HK with the 350 under the bonnet, 90 mile an hour before they changed up. Trying to Pull them up wasnt much fun. LOL. Regards Steve M

Stephen,

Hate to be pedantic, but the 350 with powerglide was the HT. I grew up with those things. My Old Man had an HK 327 4 speed (whether it was a Saginaw, Muncie or Borg Warner C 10 is a matter of conjecture). Only ever 250 of them bulit and the dopey old bastard sold it.

I stiil dream about that beast that he traded in on an HQ.

I still haven't forgiven him.

The "horror" Richard was speaking about was probably the 186 Kingswood with the Powerglide. Now that was a combination that produced not quite enough power to pull a Sailor off your Sister.

Memories.

Jim.

Actually I was just wondering myself after hitting the send button wether it was infact the HG but obviously it was the HT. My uncle still has his HG (you got me thinnking now lol) premier. Bought it new and still has it totally original, 3 speed auto on the coloum, twin headlights with a 186. 68 model sound write ?? Regards Steve M

"3 speed auto on the coloum" Wrong, meant to be 2 speed. Regards Steve M

68 = HK
69 = HT
70 = HG

I bought a HT GTS Monaro brand new Jan 70. $3198 cash on the road and insured!
6 minutes from farm to work (16ks)

Sold it when I went overseas and bought a 70 HG GTS when I returned.
Both excellent cars but a bit prone to rust in the rear quarter panels.
Pity I didnt keep them!!!

Ian

Jim, is it the same sailor you warned me about last week ?

Mainey . . .

stephen m

I think you were right the first time HG 186 Trimatic 3 speed

Cheers Pop

Jim 100% 186 two speed Kingswood sold it to buy mt first Datsun

Here's a bit of nostalgia for you
HK Holden

Ian

I'm with you Barnesy.

Cheers Steve.

Must be why the real tough as you like 70series toyota and defender only come as manual with no auto option.Cheers Mark

I'm with Barnsey too.....but just because I prefer a manual behind my 6.5 Chev V8, doesn't mean I am not in complete agreeance with the original post. An auto box IS better than a manual in 99% of situation you'd be likely to find yourself in.

If you do drive an auto, there is a way of safely tackling a very steep downhill track......and it DOES involve using the brakes PLUS the accelerator (both at the same time). I'd be very nervous about trying it, but the driver training/instructor course I've done went through it. I was being assessed as an instructor, by a qualified DTU bloke from the SAFWDA. He was sitting in the back seat and I was in the front passenger's seat, while I had to explain to this poor coota how to drive HIS auto disco down a steep hill. He needed to place the vehicle in low range 1st gear, build the revs up to about 1500 with his left foot on the brake pedal. Then when he was ready, he gradually released some of the pressure on the brake pedal with his left foot, while maintaining his right foot in it's fixed position; pressed sideways against the kick panel for some stability.

The idea is that the torque converter works when you give it some juice, so the vehicle is trying to drive down the hill under power and the brakes are used to control the descent.

It worked really well.....but I still love the Marks Adaptors Transfer Case gears and the engine-braking capability of the Chevvy....

Hi Roachie as an instructor I have never been able to understand that method. It seem unnessessarily?complicated. With the car in drive it is driving the wheels anyway and its not going to stall so why not use your most experienced right foot to do the braking? Momentum should be controled right from the start by braking progressively. By adding just a couple of clicks of hand brake you also encourage the LSD to work.
Teaching poeple to brake with the left foot while accelerating down a steep slope makes no sense to me I am afraid ;-(

Hi Chaz, What vehicle do you have that you can go down hill in a forward direction with reverse gear selected in an auto ?

A lot of modern vehicles do not allow you to do this ! After a few seconds the engine will cut out and leave you with no power brakes and no power steering ! Then you are really 'in it' This is really dangerous and I would not recomend it.

Hi Kiwi Kia,

I currently drive a GU PATROL. Not sure about some other vehicles, but my last TRUCK ran a TH700R4 trans which did it quite well and with very good control. My current Patrol does it just as easily, but I wouldn’t want to do it for too long because it does generate quite a lot of heat in the trans, hence the need for a good cooler. I did have a temp gauge on the trans which clearly displayed an increase in temps, but it never got anywhere near the same zone as it would when towing at speed.
The torque converter is simply a hydraulic coupling and as long as there isn’t any severe throttle input, there shouldn’t be a problem. Its no different to rolling back on a hill in drive or first.
My vehicle will bring up an auto trans temp light and an MIL under certain conditions, but certainly won’t cut the engine out.
I have rebuilt dozens of automatic transmissions for offroad and drag racing applications but have never seen any adverse affects from doing this in the short term, but it may shorten the life of the transmission in the long term. If you have a bullet proof transmission it shouldn’t be a problem, but in some cars it could be risky.
Rolling down a hill in reverse gear certainly isn’t for everybody or every vehicle in general.

Hi Chaz, Thanks for the reply. My 1999 2.8 TDi Pajero will cut the engine after about 30 seconds (must actually time it) of holding the vehicle in reverse on a slope. I demonstrate this sometimes to show people how you can get into trouble if you don't know about it. I understand this feature (cutting the engine) is common on many different makes.

Hahaha.

Difference is I'm advocating something I don't have, own or drive.

Cheers,

Jim.

HJ60 is what you are after. Slow on the hills too. Sailors steer clear as well!

Mum and Dads ne lancer has this and I want a drive of it when I get back to SA next
still upset they sold my old Skyline though

I agree Phil,

those little bleep ter honda jazz things have got that,bizarre thing to drive,they take off at 2500 rpm and stay there but speed increases.very odd to drive.cheers Paul