Postby skinny2 » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:33 pm
I'm not sure I'm following you....you want to accelerate quickly at highway speeds but don't want the tranny to downshift? Keep in mind most anything with a 5,6,7,8 speed transmission has taller upper gears for maximum fuel mileage. The point is they downshift quickly out of that tall gear when you need acceleration. I've been quite impressed how well the PF stays in 5th gear on hills and such. The V6 however it's geared a little lower....80mph is 2,500rpm. My wife's Ody is six speed and it downshifts constantly just to maintain speed because 6th is so tall.
To answer your questions, the only way you could change the revs is to re-gear. I think you'll get used to it. You might try resetting the tranny as it learns your driving style and may be in "aggressive" mode depending on the prior owner. I believe if you pull the battery for awhile it will reset. If you tend to drive easier it will adjust some and won't downshift as quickly on lighter throttle inputs.
Keep in mind many older 4-speeds like the Explorer you're used to was basically designed to stay in OD as much as possible. Helped with gas mileage but pretty disappointing when you hit the go-pedal and wait on the tranny to coax its way out of OD>