Mudding- Drive or Overdrive?

[General Lee 01]

Took the Blazer on it's first mudding trip today (wish I had a camera along!).

 

When mudding, is it best to have the tranny in Drive or Overdrive?

[Hawkeye]

Hey there General Lee,

 

I am a new member to this board, but I have used it as a reference many times and have had GM trucks almost my entire life. I also work for GM Powertrain.

 

You should run your truck in Drive... this limits the trans to 3rd gear. In a 4L60/700R4, the 3rd gear ratio is 1:1. This is the best final gear to drive in if the vehicle is under heavy load (i.e. pushing through a mud hole). Any overdrive gear creates more heat and stress on the planetaries. Third gear will give you more torque and much less heat because the planetary gears are not multiplying speed or torque... they are all moving at the same speed as one big shaft from front to back.

 

Hope this helps. I used to own an '86 s-10 Blazer myself. They are a riot!

 

Take Care.

 

Craig