I have a 2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Long Box with the Hemi motor in it. I do some towing with it and I love towing with it. My temps stay down, but I do have one major annoyance.

I wish there was a way that I could lock it out of 4th gear. When I am towing I don't want it to shift out of 3rd gear and into 4th. In 3rd gear I have good power and don't bog down. Every time I give it more than a little gas it shifts out of 4th anyway.

This is with tow haul engaged. Is there any way to keep this transmission from shifting into 4th gear temporarily?

I have figured out some driving techniques to mitigate the issue but I would love to fix it permanently.

Thanks!

 

both the 4 and 5 speed auto was an option on that truck (correct me if I'm wrong)....

Which do you have?

I don't think there is any way to lock-out the 4th gear on the 5 speed transmission... the 4 speed should lock out 4th automatically in tow/haul mode...

in 2008 (or possibly 2006) they changed the tow/haul mode and added an "O/D Off" setting which locked out both 4th and 5th gear. (or just 5th gear in Tow/Haul)

My only other thought to help you would be to change to a 4.10 gear set maybe...? It might help a bit... what do you have now? 3.55 or 3.92?

 

The Hemi trucks all have the five-speed (actually six-speed) transmission. My '03 doesn't have tow/haul, only O/D lockout.

 

If you tow alot, you may want to consider re-gearing. It will keep the RPMS up in the sweet spot for the hemi.

 

Can't lockout 4th on the 04's. Tow haul only locks out 5th and the OD lockout was introduced in 05 or 06. It is annoying and you can learn to feather the pedal like you said but regearing is about all you can do.