After reading this whole thread, I don't understand one thing. If the trans is hunting, why can't we manually shift to 3rd (Indicator shows 2nd) and leave it there. In playing around with the trans while driving it seems the trans won't downshift from 3rd until well below 50mph even with the lever in 2nd (3rd). Effectively, your locked in 3rd. Please tell me if I'm nut's.

 

I believe ASHNBAK hit it on the head.. Drop the sucker into 2nd... It won't downshift to second gear from 3rd until 45 (on my truck) Keep it in 2nd and no more 4th gear.

However, you have to let it get into 3rd and above 45-50 before selecting 2nd gear.. Voila.. No more shifts to overdrive.

Not sure on long term repercussions to the tranny however.. I like the way my 48re tows so no complaints from me.

Chad

 

thanks for the info i will have to try this out

 

I went out and did some more testing regarding driving in 2nd to lock out o/d... My truck (48re with 3.73 gears and stock 285 tires) does shift into second in the range of 48-49 miles per hour. It works excellent if you can hold your speed up above 50.

One thing I noticed is that if i totally hammer on it (driving 55, in 3rd gear, gear selector in 2nd) it did kick down once and rev the motor somewhere in the neighborhood of 3700rpms.. Now this amount of revs won't hurt the motor, however the rev limiter is kicked on and no power. Haven't tested enough to see what speed it will kick down to 2nd at when you mash the throttle but this could be a potential problem... Hopefully others with test and give there results as well.

Just a fyi for people.. Thanks!

Chad

 

White97GTVert, tried mine out today and mine responds just like yours except mine will downshift to 2nd around 51-52mph. thats with a 3.73 rear end and 235-80-17s

 

Didyou happen to notice if you were say travelling 60mph, gear selector in 2nd, and then floor it while tow/haul engaged? Mine downshifted... Does yours?

Chad

 

yes i tried flooring it at 55 and 60mph and it would downshift from 3rd to 2nd with the selecter in 2nd. i was to worried to try it going any faster

 

I gave the 2nd gear theory a try this weekend. Pulling my boat (4000 lbs) west out of Laughlin, NV on state 163 (5% grade) I dropped it into 2nd @ 60 mph and it pulled the whole way in third with the cruise on. Certainly didn't need 3rd as toward the end of the pull I shifted into 4th, rolled on the pedal and easily went to 80mph without even trying. That was the first tow, with the real one coming in August. We're taking the toyhauler to the Oregon Dunes. It's over 12K wet with the rail and bikes in it. But the bikes will go in the truck now, to ease weight on the hitch.

 

Hay you guys ,maybe you all got something here now with this 2nd gear selector and 3rd gear towing.
Lets have some more testing with heavier loads guys !!
Now you all got me excited about a new rig again.

 

The 48re will shift from OD to 3rd anytime you want to by double-clicking the tow-haul button. there are times when towing in hilly country the 48re in tow/haul mode will let the engine rpm's drop too low in OD for my liking, double -clicking the tow/haul button will shift the tranny into 3rd,raising engine rpm and maintainng wheel speed.

 

The 48re will shift from OD to 3rd anytime you want to by double-clicking the tow-haul button. there are times when towing in hilly country the 48re in tow/haul mode will let the engine rpm's drop too low in OD for my liking, double -clicking the tow/haul button will shift the tranny into 3rd,raising engine rpm and maintainng wheel speed. I believe shifting into 2nd would do the same thing and also lock-out OD,should work fine as long as you maintain 60mph or better.,but I haven't tryed down-shifting to 2nd.Makes me a little nervous., about engine rpm's.

 

Double clicking towhaul from towhaul mode does two things. First click puts you back into regular mode, second click puts you back into tow haul mode. Any time you click from regular mode to towhaul mode it'll downshift to 3rd , but it wont stay there . It doesnt lock out the 4th . As soon as it see fit it'll shift back to 4th.

 

Correct!

 

bump

 

well i just got back from colorado 2600miles pulling a 12500lb toyhauler. shifting it to 2nd works fine as long as i kept the speed above 55mph and didnt floor it(3/4 pedal worked fine)but when i got on the hilly curvy roads or stuck behind a slow polk i was back to the same problom of hunting between 3rd and overdrive