Fiat 5th Gear Forums

Don Madge

I came across this on the MMM Forum anybody got any details or observations?.

"You might,like me,have been unaware that Fiat now provide a fifth gear
ratio modification for the current 2.8JTD engine. A heavy motorhome (ours at
5000kg) and a high top gear do not sit well together, to say the least, and
a lower,and closer, top was something I had craved for. So when on a recent
visit to Fiat agents Essanjay, Poole I was alerted to the fact that this was
now available it went on the job list without hesitation.

Basically the mod option reduces fifth gear to sit halfway between the
current forth and fifth. The effect is an all round improvement. Gone are
half of the change-downs previously necessary if the engine so much as
sensed an incline. Fifth is now a gear and not the overdrive with no-go as
before and gets rid of the need to rev the engine to death in forth so as to
achieve a speed that fifth can hold once engaged.

Any downside? Well, top speed will be reduced down from about 90 to 80mph
which is academic anyway unless you are a madman. Fuel consumption might
also be down a bit as one will be pulling an extra 500 revs at any given
speed in top. However, set against this is the fact that top gear will be
used more often and forth no longer needs to be thrashed. Only time will
tell on this one but I feel the difference will be minimal and far
outweighed by the improved and relaxed drive.

Again, I was unaware of this mod. If it has been aired before then please
bear with me as someone else might also have missed it. Now if Fiat would
come up with the other mod needed on fifth!"

I would certainly be interested.

Regards

Don

Anonymous

I have seen Burstners advertised with 'short fifth gear option'. Now I know what it means!

AutoK

Hi Ephesus.
Thanks for the info.
Do you know if Fiat is now fitting this mod to all current production vehicles?? or is it only for the big heavy weights.
TIA.

AutoK

Don Madge

Hi Ephesus.
Thanks for the info.
Do you know if Fiat is now fitting this mod to all current production vehicles?? or is it only for the big heavy weights.
TIA.

I've got no other info than what's in the post. I've put a few feelers out and will post any details as and when.

Don

Hymie

Hi All,
We have a new (imported) Hymer - and it has the lower ratio 5th gear.
It is certainly pleasant to drive - and although it obviously cuts down top speed - it is very flexible and needs little downshifting.

Our previous model was Fiat 2.8jtd with auto box - really smooth - but you had to be doing 60mph before it would stay in 4th gear !.

Cheers