hilda:
Your going to get many opinions as you have already found out, but the comment about driving over Cajon pass at 60 mph and passing cars is not any thing to worry about. My 04. 5 will easily walk over Cajon or Grapevine(north or south bound) with my 5ver connected in 5th gear at 60MPH, but you have to keep in mind my truck breath's better than yours stock (4"exhaust & more stock HP). The trick to keeping your EGT down no mater what application or make of a Diesel engine is too keep the RPM's up and don't let it bog on the grades. The reason for mine being in 5th gear on a 6spd trans is too keep the EGT down with it being at high RPM, and at 2500-2700 RPM I could even do better MPH if I wanted too. Your issue with trying to keep up with the other guy wont help you. Remember since 01. 5 the HP and capabilities of all makes have increased (thousands of trucks now on the road), and there will be stories of 60MPH on grades. Your 01. 5 has a stout engine, just a little slower than the newer ones, just keep up the RPM,s and if 50mph is all you get, so be it, you will get 500,000 miles out of it if you do.
An after thought:
My diesel tech stated too me that my EGT well never go over design temps, if stock and you keep up the RPM's, and your within the GCVWR. That was the answer I got when I asked if the EGT temperature probe was necessary, so I have not installed one. After my warranty is up I plan to chip it and add the EGT probe, until then it stays in strict stock form.
Remember this is just my opinion and I,m sure someone will debate what I have written here but it is good advise and is what I do with mine.