First off, the shocks are gone. That bouncing through LA (I-5) gets to be
very annoying. So much for cement freeways here in California for being
smooth.
However, I did observed over 20MPG driving around 75-80 MPH to Fresno. Yet
in the city I may get only 11-12MPG. What a vast difference between one
style of driving and cruising speed.
Going over the Grapevine (5000 feet) was a blast in the truck. No effort at
all with the 4.7. Even that MB sludge box tranny remain in the right gear
for pulling. The Robert Shaw Thermostat never reach above 190 during the
heat of the day and with the OD off. While passing through during the early
wean hours it was riding 140-150 (36 degrees outside air temperature).
The worse part was the idiots with the 4 bangers you have to go around and
to include some 6er. But they would fly down the other side without any
problems. It just made you laugh. No torque! No horsepower...I had to
laugh while I was just cruising up the hill.
I will be taking the truck to Reno next weekend and see the 11,000 mountain
climb...yahooooo.
-------------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
Test Engineer
Test Branch, GSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, USMC
760-725-2506 (DSN 365-2506)
Work:mailto:stlaurents@mctssa.usmc.mil
Home:mailto:saint1958@home.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Miller [mailto:jim76712@swbell.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2000 9:35 PM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: Why Overdrive off?
Why would you want it off? I never turn mine off unless descending a
steep grade. My truck does not shift into od unless i go more than 40
anyway. At speeds below this it shouldn't matter. At the shop where I
work we have 2 96 Rams with 3.9 V6 and auto od. We never turn the od
off and 1 truck has about 120k miles on it, the other 160k. The trannys
have never required any repair on either truck. The default setting is
od on for better gas mileage. Even in od the truck should downshift
under slight acceleration unless the throttle position cable is
improperly adjusted. If pulling a trailer or driving in very hilly
country it might be a good idea to turn it off to keep it from shifting
constantly but otherwise I'd leave it on. On my truck if I turn it off I
have a top speed of about 100 because I hit redline but if I leave it on
it will shift into od at about 85 even at full throttle. I notice in the
Chevy police cars we work on at the shop there is a sign on the spedo
that says use od when in pursuit. I guess the car will go faster in od
at top speed. I know my R/T will.
Jim in Waco
99 R/T RC
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