Dodge RT 2nd gear

RT-NY · 08-22-2023, 01:04 AM

I like to keep my 1999 Dodge RT 170 in second gear on long downhills to spare the brakes. Does anyone know if there is a maximum recommended speed to avoid damaging the transmission? It has a transmission oil cooler so perhaps that is relevant.

booster · 08-22-2023, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RT-NY

I like to keep my 1999 Dodge RT 170 in second gear on long downhills to spare the brakes. Does anyone know if there is a maximum recommended speed to avoid damaging the transmission? It has a transmission oil cooler so perhaps that is relevant.

Those speeds are commonly listed in the owners manual. Not all, but many have it there.

mkguitar · 08-22-2023, 02:38 AM

i think something like 43 mph is max when accelerating in 2nd gear on an old dodge 727

RT-NY · 08-22-2023, 05:00 PM

Thanks! So, the owner's manual does say 45mph for second gear. Does anyone here use second gear on long downhills? With all the weight of a class B RV, I find that the brakes get hotter than i'd like, but I think that people behind me would get very annoyed at my going 40mph or so for a couple of miles downhill.

mkguitar · 08-22-2023, 05:54 PM

Yes, I downshift to slow the vehicle.

Left in overdrive the chev van is "freewheeling", so I might take it to 3rd. And I have used 2nd on very steep and slow hills.

save my brakes for when I need them.

a turn out is always nice for other traffic.

BTW if you pull over and your brakes are super hot use park and parking brake rather than hold hot pads to disks, that can warp them.

RT-NY · 08-22-2023, 11:04 PM

One other question: I had the driver's side caliper replaced some time ago, and they also put in new pads, but just on that side. My understanding is that this should not be done, but I am wondering what problems it could cause (apart from needing to keep a close eye to avoid wearing the other side down too far).

I haven't noticed any pull to one side when braking or anything like that, but could uneven pads cause one side to run hotter than the other?

mkguitar · 08-24-2023, 02:42 AM

no idea ... I've never done that-

sounds weird.

booster · 08-24-2023, 10:33 AM

IMO, it is a very bad idea for several reasons.

It is very possible they are somewhat different compounds that may react differently as they get hot.

The remaining lining will be thinner on one side and will heat up faster.

You will be up against the same thing in a while when one side wears out earlier.

Pads come in axle sets, so probably paid for both sides.

This is a sign of a very poor repair shop, I think.

Class b vans are very heavy compared to the way most are used and need the best pads you can find, IMO.

RT-NY · 08-24-2023, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

Class b vans are very heavy compared to the way most are used and need the best pads you can find, IMO.

I am going to go ahead and put in a new set of pads. Any suggestions of what the best pads would be for a 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500?

Also, is there any value in slotted/drilled rotors in this case?

booster · 08-24-2023, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RT-NY

I am going to go ahead and put in a new set of pads. Any suggestions of what the best pads would be for a 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500?

Also, is there any value in slotted/drilled rotors in this case?

A high end semi-metallic pad that is rated "severe or police" is best for heavy trucks. No ceramics no matter what the information tells you about how great they are. They don't handle heat as well and AFAIK weren't used as OEM in any of the Dodges of that era.

Slotted and/or drilled rotors are more an appearance gimmick and comparisons to race rotors just isn't valid, IMO. Top quality plain rotors seem to work just fine in heavy class Bs from all I have heard and seen.

Mike Bee · 08-27-2023, 04:32 PM

I have a 97 Dodge RT 170.
Just came back from driving through mountains in Alberta and BC.
While going on steep downhill , I turn the O/D off.
This assists in checking the freewheeling you get going downhill.

As regards changing the frnot brake cailipers on one side only.
I had the left front seized and both front calipers were relaced and semi-metallic brake pads were installed.
I beleive this is standard practice.

Mike Bee
97 RT 170 P
formerly 89 VW Westpalia
years of tent camping

RT-NY · 08-27-2023, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bee

I have a 97 Dodge RT 170.
While going on steep downhill , I turn the O/D off.

I am uncertain about what the overdrive does on these vintage Dodge vans. Is it simply a four-speed transmission and with the overdrive off it will never go above third gear?

If so, then turning it off on a steep downhill would, I suppose, be better than shifting to second gear because it will still slow the van down a bit but not be limited to 45mph.

Mike Bee · 08-27-2023, 05:50 PM

Yes that is correct.
This is a four speed with O/D being fourth gear.

With O/D off usually rolls dowhill 95-110 KPH .
On severe grades of 10% or more you will still have to apply brakes but only occasionally and lightly.

Mike Bee

Templarrrr · 08-28-2023, 10:12 PM

Brake pads are cheaper than a transmission’s rebuils or engine damage.

Templarrrr · 08-28-2023, 10:13 PM

Brake pads are cheaper than transmission ou engine damage.

booster · 08-28-2023, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templarrrr

Brake pads are cheaper than transmission ou engine damage.

Not if you overheat them to fade and then crash because you can't slow down or stop.

That very common statement is the frequent answer when someone asks which is better for daily driving so doesn't apply to 9000# vehicles careening down mountains or other steep grades.

Templarrrr · 08-28-2023, 11:44 PM

In a certain speed,the fact that you select second gear on your transmission will absolutely do nothing on your speed. The engine will overrev ,lot of noise and deterrioration . I have some experience with class B on hight hill and sometime it scare me to hell.

booster · 08-28-2023, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templarrrr

In a certain speed,the fact that you select second gear on your transmission will absolutely do nothing on your speed. The engine will overrev ,lot of noise and deterrioration . I have some experience with class B on hight hill and sometime it scare me to hell.

That question was already answered. Apparently the owner's manual says maxi 45mph for second gear.

RT-NY · 08-29-2023, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

Apparently the owner's manual says maxi 45mph for second gear.

Right - this is according to the owner's manual on the 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templarrrr

In a certain speed,the fact that you select second gear on your transmission will absolutely do nothing on your speed. The engine will over-rev.

You definitely should not shift to second gear if you are above 45mph!! And, in my experience, shifting to second even right at 45mph will also cause the revs to go way up. But, if you slow down to say 35 at at the top of a steep hill before shifting down, then just coast, the transmission will keep your speed down a lot even before it starts revving too high.

But more to the point, I had originally asked about second gear. But the earlier posters pointed out that you can also turn off the overdrive to stay in third gear rather than shifting down to second depending on how steep the hill is and that will not do your transmission any harm.

Anyway, it seems to me that driving a vintage class B is always going to require a bit of skill and a bit of extra care. To me, that's part of the fun!

RT-NY · 08-30-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

A high end semi-metallic pad that is rated "severe or police" is best for heavy trucks.

I am thinking of the Dynamic Friction Company Semi Metallic Heavy Duty Brake Pads. It's about $50 for the set for the 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500. Anyone have any experience with these pads?

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