I only go as low as 3rd gear for engine breaking. I drive a 01 Ram van for work and I use engine breaking a lot because I live around the coast. I can tell you after doing that for the last few years, the tranny is starting to act up ie; not holding shift or having really rough transition between shift point. I also been told by the service tech that the tranny oil is turning very dark.
My advice, brake pads are cheap, a tranny rebuilt can pay for a lot of it.
Just my 2cents worth.
Paw
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