but if it were the OD unit, just disengage the OD unit, and that should resolve that problem, shouldn't it? Then you'd be back to a 3 speed trans.
I think it is time to go back and read this topic from the beginning. That is a wonderful start on thinking outside of the box, but the engineers that designed the car have installed a few potholes to short circuit your theory. Not being mean, but if I give the answers out again nobody will have learned anything....like cheating on a test. Ya'll are just going to have to do the open book test here and pass or fail, unless Al wants to save everyone from all that learnin. Deiseleliminator has spent weeks diagnosing his overheating problem (and maybe it will turn out the same) but overlooked what was asked like three times about his thermostat.
It isn't just the OD unit, it is also the torque converter. So ya'll are looking for two things in this topic.
I had a 83 Maxi wagon that I took to South Dakota in 1990, and an 82 Maxi wagon to South Dakota in 1991. Both cars were overloaded with a lot of weight, and they both got about 30 to 32mpg. I regretted forgetting that, when I went to Cincinnati OH in 2001 in a 83 Maxi wagon. (long hills)
How good all this candy (optimism) is gonna taste going down!!
** This sarcasm is not directed at any one person, only those that intend on driving their Maxi uphill or in a city.**
I met my wife 14 yrs ago and the first time she laid eyes on me was in my 1981 Maxi sedan (auto). I drove it about 60K+ and reverse has been out since I got it, for $300. You just don't pull into a space headed downhill. Anyhow after I told her later on that evening that I was an auto mechanic, she was thinking how the car had that "chuck" "chuck" "chuck" (diesel) sound and thought what kind of Mickey Mouse mechanic is he if he can't even keep his own car sounding right?
The OD trans may get you some better fuel mileage, but the cost will be greater than the benefit. Trans slippage, torque converter slippage, initial cost. In the end most will agree it is not worth it when some larger rear tires will offset the problem. The engine will not last an extra mile with one trans or the other.
When ya'll git done beatin' yo head (floorpans) agin the wall...I told you so