Down the mountain in 4 Low and 2nd gear

[samiam]

I didn't think i had much choice. coming down about 4 miles of steep gravel road yesterday i thought i was going to smoke my brakes. i locked in the hubs, put it in 4 Low, and in 2nd gear. i rode that down the steepest parts of the road, and went back to normal Drive for the flatter parts relying on brakes.
I was hauling a camper in the truck bed, so i was HEAVY. about 11,000 weight total.
As far as I can tell the differential and front axle stayed nice and cool, and it sure saved my brakes from smoking up in a few 1-mile steep stretches.
so did i risk damage to anything?
I never let the speed get up over 8-10 mph.

[03-blue-Powerstroke]

You can also put it in tow haul mode. This will act as a jake brake and help you slow down.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 03-blue-Powerstroke

You can also put it in tow haul mode. This will act as a jake brake and help you slow down.

Not with a 7.3. Thats a 6.0 only thing

[samiam]

Originally Posted by 03-blue-Powerstroke

You can also put it in tow haul mode. This will act as a jake brake and help you slow down.

Sure... Sure... rub it in!

[Dirk]

should be fine. Is it doing something odd now?

[samiam]

Originally Posted by Dirk

should be fine. Is it doing something odd now?

No Sir, seems great. I just didn't know if what I did was too stressful on the differential or trans. Everything was smooth and cool. I won't have many situations where I need to do this instead of braking, but I am concerned that when I do I'm properly using the truck.

[Jake]

You wont hurt the diffs or t case by downshifting to hold speed.

[Dirk]

As long as you keep the diff/transfer case,trans fluids fresh, you shouldn't have an issue using a truck for what it's made for.