I just purchased an 01 3500 crew cab 4x4 with around 80,000 on it. It is hard to shift from 1 to 2nd gear is any one else having a problem with this and or what might be the problem.

get a south bend clutch and flywheel.

X2 Takes care of the problem :D.

get a south bend clutch and flywheel.

it shifted hard until it has been utilized some. Even with almost 200,000 on mine you can never rush 1st to 2nd

The previous owner probably never used 1st. It took about a week of purposely using it to loosen it up a bit. If you aren't in a hurry start off in 1st. It won't take long. Powershifting 1-2 is tricky but can be done. I haven't found much use for it.

Thanks guys I am new to Chevy Duramaxs I used to have Dodge and it was an easy shifter but this truck is tricky to shift from 1st to second cant find second at all when trying to speed shift. thanks again for info just wondering if mine was the only one

when under a heavy load. Normal driving I only use it when I am in the National Guard and following a formation that is marching.

This gear change will shift hard most always. and a south bend clutch will do NOTHING for the hard shifting. really low gear to higher gear not really smooth....

This is an update on the shifting. I have drove it now for about 1000 miles and shifting is alot better. Previous owners must have never used 1st gear at all. I have tried to make a point in using it to pull out to help it and it did. Thanks for the info.