[SOLVED] 4Lo 1st gear

[Mudsport96]

What you could do, is have a friend lay with their head under the vehicle. And with the engine off, and parking brake set. Turn the key to on but dont start. Then run the shifter through all the gears. Your statement of it seems like it starts in a different gear when in the first position, sounds like a 2nd gear start. It is possible that the shifter shows 1st, but is really only getting to 2nd on the transmission linkage.

 

[mountie]

What you could do, is have a friend lay with their head under the vehicle. And with the engine off, and parking brake set. Turn the key to on but dont start. Then run the shifter through all the gears. Your statement of it seems like it starts in a different gear when in the first position, sounds like a 2nd gear start. It is possible that the shifter shows 1st, but is really only getting to 2nd on the transmission linkage.

Make sure you both have 6 drinks first.

 

[BPSmith]

Problem Solved: I eventually took it to a Chevy dealer I trust and they did a proper scan and transmission disassembly to determine I had burned up the transmission’s clutch breaks or engine clutch (not sure the proper terminology). I had the transmission replaced with a beefier model that better suits my off road needs. I was also advised to use my breaks a bit more when in Low Range and descending steep grades so I spend more money on replacing break pads vs transmissions! Thank you all for your insight and helpful guidance.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Unfortunately, thought of another possibility ...

Other possibility is that you've worn out/used up your 1st gear's overrun clutches.
If so, that'd need a repair/replacement; transmission would need to come out.

Problem Solved: I eventually took it to a Chevy dealer I trust and they did a proper scan and transmission disassembly to determine:
I had burned up the transmission’s clutch breaks or engine clutch (not sure the proper terminology).

Proper terminology is 'overrun clutches'.