What to Do???
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Joined: Oct 2005
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What to Do???
Hello everyone I just a couple of quick questions to ask.
My truck is a 2001 F-350 super duty single rears wheels 4x4 with the tow package and a auto tran with a 5.4 engine.
#1 when should I turn off the over drive? I tow about 4,500 lbs everyday and sometimes like now when I have plow equipment on the truck it is loaded with 4500lbs of stuff. I do turn it off for plowing.
Thanks!
My truck is a 2001 F-350 super duty single rears wheels 4x4 with the tow package and a auto tran with a 5.4 engine.
#1 when should I turn off the over drive? I tow about 4,500 lbs everyday and sometimes like now when I have plow equipment on the truck it is loaded with 4500lbs of stuff. I do turn it off for plowing.
Thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
On a 4R100 transmission, all the 'overdrive on/off' button does is lock out 4th gear.
When towing, if the transmission is constantly hunting between 3rd and 4th gear, go ahead and turn off the overdrive button because the constant shifting creates excess heat and wear on the trans. If it's not hunting, just leave it be.
Now on the newer trucks ('05 and up I believe..) with the 5R100 transmission, they have a 'tow/haul' button which does all sorts of neato things to adjust the way the trans shifts.
When towing, if the transmission is constantly hunting between 3rd and 4th gear, go ahead and turn off the overdrive button because the constant shifting creates excess heat and wear on the trans. If it's not hunting, just leave it be.
Now on the newer trucks ('05 and up I believe..) with the 5R100 transmission, they have a 'tow/haul' button which does all sorts of neato things to adjust the way the trans shifts.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 820
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From: BC, Canada
My truck has the 4R100 and while driving with the O/D OFF you can feel a distinct 1-2 then 2-3 then 3-4 then if i were to turn the O/D ON then it would shift again, does this sound right? I thought the 4th gear was the O/D
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
schmidt64,
You're feeling the torque converter locking up after the 3rd gear shift, feels almost like a gear change but a little softer, the RPM's will drop when this occurs as well.
You're feeling the torque converter locking up after the 3rd gear shift, feels almost like a gear change but a little softer, the RPM's will drop when this occurs as well.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 72
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From: marstons mills
towing with od on will kill the tranny depends on the wight but a sooner than later thing on rebuild. lkie said above if the tranys hunting between geers and such will kill it
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by gatewayuser
#1 when should I turn off the over drive? I tow about 4,500 lbs everyday and sometimes like now when I have plow equipment on the truck it is loaded with 4500lbs of stuff. I do turn it off for plowing.
Thanks!
Thanks!
When towing in stop and go traffic (city driving) and keeping at lower speeds...I would recommend having the O/D off. Also...when going up log mountain grades...just turn the O/D off until you pass it. The only time I keep the O/D On while pulling is on flat level ground at highway speeds.
biz
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2003 F250 SD SC SWB XLT V10 Auto 3.73s
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,527
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From: Home Base Nebraska
What makes the biggest difference in OD on or off are your rear end gears, you ether have 3.73 or 4.30 with a F350. If its the 4.30 just leave the OD on when pulling 4500lbs if they are the 3.73 I would turn it off unless you are on the flats.
Denny
Denny