I have a 1995 F-150 with 302 AODE trans 3.55 gears and 32 11.50 15 tires. I'm going to be driving from Texas to Colorado to pick up a Jeep. My question is should I turn overdrive off for this and what speed would be recommended? I don't want to tear up my truck and have to buy a new tranny or engine when I get back. Also can I tow the empty trailer with overdrive or do I still need to turn it off while pulling the empty trailer. All advice and tips are appreciated. Thanks

 

The reason OD hurts while towing is that if the engine is struggling and is shifting in and out of overdrive a lot it will burn up your auto. On the motor end be sure it isn't bogging & starts pinging, b/c that's what hurts it in OD. I would say you're OK in OD as long as the tranny isn't shifting a lot, and the motor isn't pinging. Everyone has their own preferences / opinions on towing in OD, so its up to you.

 

Install an aftermarket transmission cooler and refill with synthetic oil.

 

He should be ok without the tranny cooler unless he plans to tow often. I second the other poster, if it's shifting in and out, leave it out. If it stays, and it isn't pinging, then that will be fine. I don't think you'll have a pinging problem if your engine is in good order. I bet you won't be able to tow in OD, with 32" tires on 3.55s, the final ratio is 3.15, I have the same setup. If you go the speed limit you're fine, just be careful and stay safe. The 302 will struggle a bit because of the gear ratio. If you happen to have smaller tires on other rims, throw those on but you probably don't. Just trying to think of anything that'll help. Oh, make sure the tires are properly inflated for the load. Other then that you should be ok, and good luck.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

 

Right, I understand what your saying, but a cooler is cheap compared to a rebuilt/repaired transmission. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, in my opinion.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'll watch it and see how it goes at the beginning of the trip. I have a feeling that I'll be turning overdrive off. That's going to be some pretty lousy mpg. LOL...

 

Well, the 32" tires and 3.55s is what kills your towing ability. That brings the final ratio down to 3.15 which, isn't great for towing. I have the same setup, and towed a 4k lb boat with some gear and had trouble, got about 12mpg.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Heavyduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Weighs around 7,000lbs w. 65mph top speed, who wants to race me!

 

I tow a 4700lb trailer with my 351w 3.55 gears and e40d. It has been done since new, now have 135,000 mi. If you always need to downshift don't use OD, if RPM drop slowly don't use otherwise no problem.