5th shouldn't be used unless it's 1600 rpm or more... any thing less and you're "Bogging it down"
Fords are made to drive in 4th until you hit 55mph or so- don't worry about it. Tranny braking is fun and it won't hurt you're tranny too bad unless you let off the clutch hard all the time or drop down too low- like from 4th at 55mph to 2nd gear is a no no... never power shift cause that will take a tranny out faster than anything... I've done it before. Hope this helps- congrats on the grades
Fords are made to drive in 4th until you hit 55mph or so- don't worry about it. Tranny braking is fun and it won't hurt you're tranny too bad unless you let off the clutch hard all the time or drop down too low- like from 4th at 55mph to 2nd gear is a no no... never power shift cause that will take a tranny out faster than anything... I've done it before. Hope this helps- congrats on the grades
I have engine braked every car I've ever owned and never had a lick of trouble from any of the tranny's. As long as you don't brake so hard that the rpm's jump over 1500 or 1800 from what they were you'll be golden. My current DD is a 5 speed. Bought it new in 03 I've been engine braking on it for 60,000 miles and it doen't have a single hiccup. I've never had to do a brake job on it and the pads look like they'll go another 15K.