I guess I am not quite clear on the general consesus reguarding this subject . I'm aware of the issues with the nut possibly coming off and allowing the 5 th to slide off the splines........but


Is the overdrive gear itself stout enough to pull 10 to 16 thou. at highway speeds all day , or would it be advisable to keep it in 4th for the heavy loads ?

The truck really pulls nice at 65 to 70 mph in fifth . ( stock 97 with the 3.55 rearend and 245/75/16 s )

 

When I pull heavy, I try to make sure the RPMs will never be below 1800 in 5th, which is usually somewhere above 60 for me. From what i have read, it is ok to pull in 5th as long as you are not lugging the engine.

 

I never let mine fall below 2000 or at the most 1900 and never had a problem in 183,000 pulling 30,000 gross. That was on a '99, should be the same.

 

I agree with those above if you're under 1800-1900 drop to 4th.

165,000 on mine. pulled 12,000lbs irregularly and regularly pulled a 24' 5er camper.

When I tore into the trans 5th was still firmly planted, no signs of a prob.

From what I've read and been told, mainly just avoid lugging in 5th as it tends to "hammer" the gear off.

my 2 cents