overdrive

[jerry101]

i'm new to this forum ,so if i'm in the wrong spot please let me know, i've just purchased a 2000 ford ranger 5 speed with over drive,i never drove stick shift before now and was wondering what the overdrive position is used for ? is used for a fifth gear ,or just for towing ? another question,is it posible to tow a aluminum fishing boat ? or a pop up camper ? any and all info would be greatly appreciated .thanks and have a nice day

 

[sheltonfilms]

Overdrive is a 5th gear. Overdrive just means that the gear ratio is above 1. All gears 1-4 are below 1.

A gear below 1 means that the input shaft spins faster than the output shaft.
A gear above 1 means that the input shaft spins slower than the output shaft.

The best thing you can do is read your owners manual. It gives some good info for you to use such as maximum fuel economy shift points (when to shift).

 

[scotts90ranger]

actually you have the above and below 1 backwards sheltonfilms as first gear is like 3.75:1 and 5th is like .78:1, but you are right on principal, overdrive is the output shaft spinning faster than the input shaft...

As long as your brakes are in good shape and the tires are stock size or it is geared appropriately if they are larger than stock, I would say you could tow about 1000lb with the truck without a problem for as long as you wanted, but I suggest against using 5th gear while towing as these things like the rpm's

For the record, my best gas mileage with my truck was with 195 75 14" (25.5" tall) tires and 3.08:1 rear axle gearing, when I went to 3.73:1 gears and 235 70 15 tires (28" tall) I went from 28mpg to 26mpg, then they switched to ethanol fuel and I went down to 23mpg, switched to 31" tires and 4.10:1 gears (on a different chassis, same engine) and went to 19mpg

 

[sheltonfilms]

I thought I had those messed up.