Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine lugging

[Adam]

Okay... engine lugging is bad, this I already know. What I don't know is what exactly (or close anyway) constitutes lugging? When I shift into 3rd at 8mph and the tach drops to 650rpm in a no load situation? When I accelerate (unloaded) gradually in 5th from 1000rpm? I don't want to hurt the truck, but I LOVE low end torque! Help me out here guys...

Thanks,

Adam

 

[Joe G.]

When your EGT is high and your RPM is low, you're lugging it.

 

[Pit Bull]

You can tell by the way it sounds. If you are going down hill unloaded and easing on the fuel then what you discribed might not lug the engine.

 

[Dane]

Adam,

That's easy -



If you push on the go pedal and the truck does not pull immediately you're lugging it.



If you're driving a stick and the transmission makes a growling or rattling noise when you push the go pedal, you're lugging it.



You can get away with a little lugging unloaded, but should not do it running heavy imo.