[VAC] Re: Xmission Coolers and other durability issues

["Carol and Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In my opinion, you did the right thing by getting the automatic
transmission.  Don't let the die hards fool you.  The technology in an
automatic is a lot better than a human shifter.  Most important is that you
can't get into a runaway situation where you have a problem getting the
vehicle in gear when down shifting on a grade.

The only thing to worry about with an automatic is 1) transmission fluid
temperature and 2) constant down and up shifting when climbing a grade.  The
fixes are easy. For 1) simply buy a transmission oil cooler, which you can
get from your Ford dealer. Item 2) is simple.  If the automatic up shifts
and then cannot hold the speed and downshifts again, simply move the shift
lever down one gear.

I am not a big fan of these reprogramming chips.  That is not to say that
they cannot improve fuel economy, etc UNDER SOME CONDITIONS.  Give the auto
manufacturer (Ford and Navistar) credit for knowing something about what
they are doing.  Every engine management chip is a compromise of many
factors (some of which may or may not be important to you or your
application).  Remember that the manufacturer has to meet pollution, fuel
economy and tractability (functioning smoothly) requirements under a wide
range of temperature, altitude and load conditions.  As they get smarter,
their chip programming will improve - and you can get factory updates when
this happens.

The likelihood that some independent tinkerer can devise a better chip than
the automaker is a stretch.  Though someone could come up with a better
program for a specialized application, e.g. heavy towing, or light load,
etc.

Good luck,

Oliver Filippi