I've got an attitude problem? LOL, that's funny. I'm not the one that is so arrogant as to dismiss the recommended operating procedure developed through tens of thousands of hours by design engineers and test crews. According to you all of that time and research is a big waste of money, all because you've figured out that driving in a lower gear gives you more pick up when accelerating. Now that an attitude if I ever saw one.

 

I would expect this kind of a response from someone new to this site, but quite frankly it's beneath you. First off, this isn't my first time around the block, second, just because my current Dodge Van doesn't have OD doesn't mean I've never driven one with it. Lastly, you've been around here even before I, so you should know me well enough to know that I don't speak without first making sure I know what I'm talking about.

 

alloro: landyach318 is right, you really need to learn how to get your point across without being an arrogant f-wad. The problem is that you're angry, and have been for a very long time. Maybe angry people need to take a break from posting online until they resolve their personal issues? That way, your bad attitude doesn't ruin the website and friendly atmosphere that we have going on here. It's unneeded, unwanted, and uncalled for.

 

I have enjoyed this forum as one without drama this thread should end and everyone move on, truly life is too short.

Best Regards to everyone

 

Obviously I have to keep it simple for you to be able to follow. YOU are the one being arrogant by claiming that your single personal experience and knowledge is superior to all the engineers and test crews that say to leave the tranny in OD, with the few exceptions like towing or hilly terrain. I am making no claims either way, I am only reiterating what the manufacturer's owners manual is telling you.

As to being angry, that along with the words immature and desperate, is usually a title reserved for those that name call.

 

We're talking about your arrogance and nastiness towards other people on the site, not me knowing what's best for me and my truck. Understand? That's two very different things. I have the right to do what's best for me and my vehicle and express my opinions about it. You don't have the right to act badly towards other people here. Get it? Is this starting to make sense now?

Anyway, I do not wish to speak with you further about this.

 

Oooooh, now you want to drag in material from other threads. LOL

 

everyone get over it and discuss our vans

 

I drive and sometimes tow a lightweight boat or camper with both of these vehicles, although the 94 is now in the scrap pile. I have tried to always manually turn on and off OD when I pull a hill, to help maintain speed. This has worked for me for several of 100,000 miles on both vehicles combined.

When in continuous hill country, I turn off the overdrive if the van wants to shift in and out by itself, like at the TN/KY border on I-75. Most of the time I can anticipate the auto shift point, so I manually shift it before the auto shift can react. THis pattern has worked well for me.

 

Thankfully my 5.2 develops enough low end torque for OD use not to be a problem in daily driving. I like the fact that it stays in OD on the highway for wear and mpg purposes. I like the fact that I can drive around barely off idle most times. I would rather lose a couple of mph on a grade than go all the way back to third no lock up, so I speed up before the hill, to avoid lugging the motor if needed. I would rather replace an OD unit than rebuild a trans, it can be done with tranny still in, and fairly cheap.