TO OVERDRIVE OR NOT TO OVERDRIVE, THAT IS THE QUESTION.

[tennesseebryan]

Hello Everybody,

I have a 2001 F-350 DRW LWB 7.3 powerstroke with a 4.10 gear in it.  Do I need to stay out of overdrive?  If so, with the 4.10 gear, I can only travel at about 50 mph without keeping the engine rpm at 2500 constantly.  I understand that I never want to be in overdrive if the transmission is hunting but if I can get it to lock up it seems to stay locked up at 65 mph.  I've got plenty of power to pull our 32 foot Cougar.  I just don't want to hurt the transmission.  I've got a transmission temp gauge but don't know how accurate it is.  Any input would be nice.

 

[John From Detroit]

You actually answered your own question... You said.

"I understand that I never want to be in overdrive if the transmission is hunting but if I can get it to lock up it seems to stay locked up at 65 mph."

And that is the answer.  If it's hunting, switching O/D in and out, don't use it.  if it's staying locked in O/D. use it