Just a comment/question about towing, since we're on the
topic...
I've seen lots of people mention that you should lockout
overdrive when towing with the dak. From what I understand,
one good reason to do this is because you'll stay in "top"
(3rd?) gear if OD is locked out - with one advantage being that
"top" gear is direct-drive as opposed to being geared. Since
the tranny input and output shaft are directly coupled, it is
stronger than having additional gears involved. Is this correct?
(Of course this is in addition to the inherent advantages of
staying in a lower gear anyways - more available power, better
coolant flow, etc.)
I am wondering about this because I tow occasionally with
my 5sp. I am under the impression that 5th gear in the manual
trans is infact "overdrive" and 4th is direct-drive. Does this
mean that the same applies to me, that I want to stay in 4th
while towing, because 4th is mechanically stronger than using
overdrive and its additional gearing?
thanks
Kevin D.
97 cc V6 5sp 3923's 180tstat (soon to have homebrewed air intake!)
>
> Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 14:21:21 GMT
> From: "A. S." <adakota4x4@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: DML: v6 dakota towing specs...
>
> Yes, leave our overdrive off...you don't want to tow anything
> in overdrive.
> Some will tell you different, but you're only hurting your
> tranny by towinig
> in overdrive. Stay at a decent speed, as has already been
> stated by one
> member...50-55mph tops. This will not only help your truck,
> but it's really
> the safe thing to do. If you don't tow a lot, keep braking
> in mind. You
> need to allow more distance between you and other on the road.
> - --Aaron--
> 95 DSRC 4x4 V6
> www.geocities.com/adakota4x4_95/
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:56:00 EDT