e-150 od or no od
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e-150 od or no od
I have a 1996 E-150 club wagon witha E4OD pulling a 5000# camper. Owners manual says to use od. but most say not to. I neen an experts opinion. I do have a sizeable tranny cooler and temp gauge. Pulling it around town teh pan temp is around 140 degrees up to 3rd gear. also when od is off does the torque converter lock up since there is no 3rd gear selection on the column. Thanks in advance
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
e-150 od or no od
The usual advice is to downshift only if the tranny keeps hunting gears. If the tranny stays in OD and the engine is not lugging, you are fine. Since you have a temp gauge, I would also say keep an eye on it. If the temp rises say over 200, try a lower gear and see what that does to the temp.
Note that a 150 class vehicle is not usually recommended for frequent towing of 5,000lb and up loads. Check your ratings in the manual. 150's usually are marginal on braking, axle durability, springs, wheels and tires and a few other areas. they will tow fine but will wear out sooner than a heavier class vehicle. Also the ride will be less stable with a 150. In other words, if you want to tow this rig all over the place a lot, then you would be better off with a bigger rig. Also note that guessed weight or sticker weight is often way off. Stuff really adds up fast in a trailer, water(fresh, grey, black), food, clothes toys optional accessories etc. besure you know how much weight is really in there.
I am not sure on Fords, but many torque converters will lock up in 3rd and OD but not 1st or 2nd. But like I said I don't know here.
Good Luck, and I am not an expert, just tow a fair amount and read a lot.
Jim Henderson
Note that a 150 class vehicle is not usually recommended for frequent towing of 5,000lb and up loads. Check your ratings in the manual. 150's usually are marginal on braking, axle durability, springs, wheels and tires and a few other areas. they will tow fine but will wear out sooner than a heavier class vehicle. Also the ride will be less stable with a 150. In other words, if you want to tow this rig all over the place a lot, then you would be better off with a bigger rig. Also note that guessed weight or sticker weight is often way off. Stuff really adds up fast in a trailer, water(fresh, grey, black), food, clothes toys optional accessories etc. besure you know how much weight is really in there.
I am not sure on Fords, but many torque converters will lock up in 3rd and OD but not 1st or 2nd. But like I said I don't know here.
Good Luck, and I am not an expert, just tow a fair amount and read a lot.
Jim Henderson
