I have a 2001 SCrew and I am towing a trailer about 75% of the time the truck is out. What would be ideal for me is if the OD was off when I started the truck and then I had to manually engage it. Is there a way to reverse the function of this button? Either by myself or by purchasing an aftermarket item?

Dan

 

All you have to do is turn it off after you start the truck and turn it back on when you need or want to use overdrive.

 

Thanks, but I think I figured that one out.......

The point is, to have it OFF when the truck is started, because the truck is used in such a manner that the OD needs to be off more than on.

 

Dan, I know what our thinking, but Ford doesn't..
I believe Ford is the only truck that you have to put it out of OD, after starting.
Even the diesels have this, as far as changing it, haven't seen it done yet.
You'll get used to it,just comes natural, after awhile.

 

While we're complaining:

How come when you shift to second, it locks out first? When towing my trailer, I like to use second for braking coming up to a stop sign (specially on hills). When I start moving, if I don't switch back to drive, it starts in second gear. My old '88 F250 did the same thing.

The GM trannies will run in first or second when second is selected - way better system.

My dealer says it is so you can start in second in slippery conditions - but I don't know of anyone who does that.

Ian

 

DanN:

That would be great if they could do that. I wonder if we could find the actual wires and just reverse them, if that would work? Problem would be finding the actual wires. I'm not much into that, so..............

I liked to "old" way, when you had a regular "D" and then a "D" with a circle around it on the shift indicator on the dash.

I actually prefer to cruise around town with the OD off. I only engage it on the highway, and then if I get over 60 MPH.

Ian N:

I used second in my Mustang GT when I drove it in the snow. It was a 5 speed however. Just an example of using second in slippery conditions. Now, I'll just flick the switch to 4Hi or 4Lo.

 

Yes, putting it in 2nd, puts it in 2nd. It starts and stays there. It's designed that way for "winter weather" driving.

I tow a 7000+LB boat with mine and just leave it in OD. Mine shifts fine, stays in lower gears if it needs to and has never, never hunted for any gear even OD. I attribute most of that to the Superchip primarily but also the intake and exhaust. Plenty of power where it's needed.

 

sounds like you should have opted for the 5-speed option. I have this, and whenever i have to tow the dune buggy, it's no problem.

 

I would rather it stay in second when I put it in second... I know the dodge rental I had once wouldn't stay in second... had a hard time getting it up that muddy slope in first... I hate it when you put a trans in 2nd and it still starts in first... What's the point of even making it an option? There are times in snow and ice when starting in second is more desireable. In my Probe I use second just to get it moving, then I have to put it in third to prevent breaking the tires loose, but that's a different ballgame...

As for the OD issue (getting back to the topic at hand) I don't believe there is any way to change it around so it defaults to a 3-speed. There might be a way to custom program the PCM with a superchip to make that an option, or maybe with a Hypertech power programmer, but I don't know... I'd talk to SuperChipsDistributor over in the Superchips forum and see if he has any ideas... IMHO he knows the PCM better than anyone here!

-Joe-