I have a '97 F250 with the 460, 5spd. I've had it about two years, it has 65k. I only drive it when I'm hauling something usually a horse trailer or firewood. Anyway, what is a good cruising down the hwy rpm range? Some say you shouldn't tow in OD, so if in 4th and just motoring down a level hwy how high should they go and still be comfortable? I do shift into OD at times, but usually just when going downhill or with a very light load.

 

if crusin down highway should be around 2800 to 3300 in 4th gear about 75mph with a 32 to 33" tire with a 4.10 rear axle. if in 5th with same tire around 2400rpm give or take some. if you truck is altered in some other way drop info and can figure out something. settin up a truck with the same tranny in a normal truck with 32.8" tire and 4.10 rear axle. catch you later.

 

So those would be acceptable rpm ranges for extended periods headed down the hwy? The tach isn't marked with a red line range and I just want to make sure I'm not running at too high of rpms.

 

if towing 4th gear and around 2800 to 3300 is normal but she is workin decent. if just crusin down flat lander towing situation and holding around 2800 is nice. i live in mountains and other stuff and hi elevation and holding a gear near 4000 isn't uncommon for me. elevation really kills the power especially about 6000' and up. my big truck in avatar has 39" hawgs and 4:56 gears and OEM stall converter with manual valve body so i make it shift on the fly as I need and run similar numbers during normal mountain runs near my house. At 3000 rpm I'm right a 78mph give or take a little depending on tire pressure at the time. can alter rpms a little just by tire pressure. catch you later and drop a message if need something.

 

The "not towing on OD" pertains to the automatics.

 

I'm pretty sure in the owners manual under the 5spd section it says not to tow in 5th or OD as well.