Yes, your 5th gear is really an "overdrive". I would not tow in 5th. This
should be stated in your owners manual although I have never read this
myself...I've never owned a 5-speed dak. I have however owned a 5-speed
F-250, which stated not to go into 5th when towing (at least it's not
recommended).
--Aaron--
95 DSRC 4x4 V6
www.geocities.com/adakota4x4_95/
>From: "Davidson, Kevin" <ked@iti-oh.com>
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
>To: "'dakota-truck@buffnet.net'" <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
>Subject: Re: DML: v6 dakota towing specs...
>Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 11:50:45 -0400
>
>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/
> >
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