Max RPM's?

[Gregor]

Hey everyone,
I've got a 2001 1/2 ton Ram quad cab 4x4 with 5.2L and 5 speed manual tranny. Just wondering eveyone's thoughts on maximum continuous engine speed. I have a camper that I have been pulling and I can't maintain desired speed in 5th. The last time I pulled it I just kept it in 4th which put the RPM's at about 2,500 at 65 mph. Do you think this is too hard on it or is it better to keep the RPM's up at this level rather than lugging and always downshifting?

[SwampNut]

You are definitely better off not lugging it. 2500 RPM is nothing. You've put a lot more stress on your motor by trying to run it in overdrive while towing.

[BleedDodge]

Exactly.

[LTJGWorth]

Yep

[fredjacksonsan]

Amen. You could probably run at 4000 rpm and not have a problem.

[BleedDodge]

The sound is decieving sometimes on these Dodges, they sound to me like they're going to fly apart at about 1800 rpm, but they're built to rev. It's just the sound of power, haha.

If I end up driving one of my buddy's Chevy trucks, for example, I never worry about revving. A 350 Chevy sounds like it's not even revving when you push the pedal to the rugs, the motor could be doing 5500 rpm and I'd never think anything of it...

[02blackstallion]

Does the same go for an automatic transmission?

[fredjacksonsan]

Yeah, leaving it in drive instead of overdrive would keep it from hunting around for the right gear all the time.

[BleedDodge]

As a rule you should probably never pull anything in overdrive.

[SwampNut]

The rule is stricter for an automatic. In that case, you're not just lugging the engine, but overloaded the tranny's overdrive gears. Those gears are typically the lightest-duty, since they're only expected to be used at steady speeds with light loading. In addition, having the TC go in and out of lockup frequently will lead to its quick death.

Always err on the side of free-revving rather than lugging. As long as you're not running along at 5k for hours, you'll be fine. Diesels can be lugged along, gas engines can't.

[Gregor]

Thanks for replys everyone, that was my general thought, but wanted to get some additional opinions on the matter

[Le Gimp]

Greetings.

just picked up a 2002 1500 LSR 4.7L 5Spd manual, 42K miles.

5th gear at 55MPH shows about 1500 r/m. Seems too low for me and might cause lugging, so I figure on staying in 4th below 60mph, or when pulling the camper.

[Le Gimp]

Does anyone know if the engines are electronically REV-Limited?

I run a REV-Limited solid state (CRANE HI-4) ignition system on my Ironhead (HEMI) Sportster with it set to 6500r/m to keep me from over-reving it.

It would be nice to know it I have to watch out for it or does the electroincs protect it.

By the way, the HEMI combustion chamber has been around a long time. HD used it in '57' in the first XL (Sportster).

And I believe it was also used in the 1939 EL (Knuckle Head).

Tweren't nothing new for Dodge.

[LTJGWorth]

I don't know about a rev-limiter in these trucks. I hav a 97 1500 with a 360 and i have reved it and redlined it a couple times and it never seems to be stopped by a rev-limiter. I could be wrong.

[BleedDodge]

My 3.9 is limited to 5200 rpm's. If I hold the motor to the floor, the tach needle hits 5200 and bounces. I don't recommend this.