80series automatic

hello,
I have a petrol 80 4.5 auto and tow a 19 ft pop top van with it.
If im going into a headwind etc I switch of the overdrive and leave it in 3rd as the torque converter will lock up in this gear too.
I find although the motor is doing a few revs more I have smaller throttle openings and use less fuel for the same speed.
A few revs wont hurt your motor as much as labouring it will and if you let the transmission change up and down this heats up the oil etc and could possibly cause problems for you later.
Most of the time my 80 is happy in 4th and approx 90 to 100 kms per hour
is where I sit.
Finally I would say that if the car is changing down then its because the load is enough to require 3rd ....kinder in long run to leave in 3rd rather than try and keep 4th.
Hope this helps.
WestozAl.

When towing our c/t our 80 series factory turbo diesel auto did swap and change going up some long and winding uphills ,, drained tranny fluid and replaced with fresh 40 odd thousand klm ago , seems to have fixed the "problem" how old is your fluid ??

Driving the way you have described will kill your auto box. Yes I have heard of somethingamyjig that can be fitted but my recommendation would be stick it in 3rd, back off the pedal a little and stick to 100 klm/h.

Hi Robert,
Are you sure that your auto is dropping in and out of overdrive, or is it the converter locking and unlocking. If it is the converter then fitting one of THESE will improve it's towing ability and extend the life of the transmission if it's used properly.

Chaz