The 62TE's ratios are not well spaced ... Point granted. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't get the job done. Yes, the shift from 2nd to 3rd can be a bit funny (those are the lower gears that are too close together and the transmission has to do a double internal shift to get it done ... it has to shift the main 4-speed box from 1st to 2nd simultaneous with shifting the underdrive box from direct to underdrive). Yes, 6th is pretty tall in the interest of economy, and if there's a smidge too much headwind or uphill it has to do a downshift and it's a big downshift because of the big space between 5 and 6.
At most, this is a "driver irritant" and really only if you pay attention to the tachometer. If you drive like most people - "accelerator makes it speed up, brakes slow it down" - it's not really a bother; the shifts between 5 and 6 on the highway are reasonably unobtrusive. My main concern with the 62TE was the poor reputation that Chrysler minivan and other 4-speed automatic transmissions have had over the years. It appears that this has been addressed in later years.
As long as the 62TE holds together I can deal with this minor irritant. Would I rather have the 9HP ... Sure.
I've been in other vehicles with shift programming that was far, far more irritating.
Chevrolet Silverado 4 speed automatic with a trailer in tow. Cruise control ... uphill, slooooowing down ... Bang, downshift to just short of redline, rocket ahead through the cruise control setpoint, upshift, slooooowing down ... repeat until top of hill. The ProMaster doesn't do that. It will drop to the lower gear and pretty much stay there unless/until something (slope, etc) changes.
Ford Expedition 4 speed automatic with a trailer in tow. Would not hold overdrive with torque converter locked, would not lock torque converter in 3 without attempting a shift to 4 at which point it would not lock the torque converter. Had to drive all the way from Toronto to Florida and back with overdrive locked out to avoid hunting between 3 and 4 and torque-converter lockup. At least this way it stayed in 3 with the converter locked.
And, of course, this brings back memories of the last full-size Ram van that I was in before the ProMaster ... my buddy Al's mid-eighties old skool Ram van with the 225 Slant Six (leaning tower of power) and single-barrel carb with 3-speed automatic and no lockup converter. No air conditioning, either. True ... no gear hunting when it's only got 3 to choose from. But uphills ... ! ! !