My tranny seems to hunt for gears alot around town, constantly switching gears and going into overdrive (what I consider) early.My idle also varies between 450 and 750. One stoplight it will be 700 and the next 500. I also notice the enginesrevs slightly just prior to a downshifting.

Normal or not?

 

My 03 hemi 4x4 is a bit crazy with the gears. It likes to get into overdrive as soon as possible. Which then puts me in too high of a gear most of the time. Half the time I have to turn the o/d off just to keep a reasonable gear. The idle, issue I can't help with.

 

Things like that make me glad that I have a manual. Trying to drive an auto to me is just crazy. They shift when you don't want them too, they will rev up higher than you need them to... Its weird how I can be better at driving a manual, than an auto.. With the shifting, auto's do that. Probably either because of your tires, wind, air, ect. That is a wierd idle. Mine is still idling at 1000rpm at start up, and 600 warm up idle.

 

Our problems would be solved if we could figure out how to disable the torque management in the newer model years...
The shift points have been driving me a little batty lately... One of these days I'm gonna get sick of resetting things and just break down and buy a programmer..... I mean, the truck has been GREAT to me from day one, but I KNOW there's more I can get outta her in terms of mileage and performance.....

 

Sounds normal to me, and of course the trans is going to switch gears around town. I wouldn't be too concerned about the idle though. mine is usually at 700 at a stop light, only at 500 if its the summer, and my AC is on or something (load on engine). FYI, the powerwagons have their idle @750rpm, so there are some trucks that are set higher than others, but nothing to be concerned about. Sounds like nit picking to me. Just my $.02

 

Trying to drive a manual around town drives me crazy, not to mention the limp my left leg has after a couple hours of that. I love manuals, but would only have one in a truck if I did mostly highway, or towed loads on a regular basis.

 

Who makes a chip or tuner for the 4.7 which can adjust the shift firmness, etc.? It looks like they are all for the Hemi.