Ford transmission question.

[1handyhubby]

I think I should have my transmission checked out but thought I'd check here and on the Ford forum. My 2001 F250 5.4 3.73 rear shifted really smooth. I loved driving that truck. The new 2001 F350 6.8 4.30 rear shifts a little lets say clunky? A little jerk to it? My brother in law who has owned several duallies says it's fine. To me it seems a little rough because I've never driven anything that didn't shift smooth. Any thoughts?

[Steelhog]

The 4R100 transmissions do not react well to getting too hot but will run a long time IF you keep that in mind. #1 Install a good transmission temp gauge. While you are at it adding a boost and EGT gauge all in a pillar mount is not a bad idea. By the time the factory gauge starts to head for the red zone you have probably cooked your trans. Much over 200-220 is the "take your foot off the throttle" range. At 145K I know I'm on borrowed time but I watch the gauges, keep out of the red on trans and EGT and cross my fingers. On a related note if you ever push the OD Off button on the end of the gear selector and your gauges die and no throttle don't panic. I thought I'd killed my transmission. You just blew fuse #45 when the wires where the lever meets the column shorted out. Happened to me. Replaced fuse, got home and found a great write up on Dieselstop.com. and a couple hours and some insulation, problem solved. Always carry an extra CPS sensor, a spare fuel filter and a belt. If your do roast your trans it is a good time to replace the cooler with one from a 6.0.

[Tom_Anderson]

I have a 2001 F-250 with the 6.8 V-10 and 4.30 gears (basically, the same truck as the OP) and it shifts pretty firmly. I have a 5-star tuner, but it shifted pretty firmly even before that (a good thing, IMO).

[Belting_1313]

No matter who manufactured the transmission they are not designed to slip into gear. Having a smooth feeling shift to the transmission is great but you run the risk of heat buildup and premature clutch wear. A transmission that shifts firm (Not Hard, Or Banging)is a good thing especially in a truck that you have loaded. I wouldn't worry about it unless it changes over time.

[jimh406]

Just for the record, you don't have to leave any evidence in the vehicle that it is running a non-stock tune. I never leave my tuners in the vehicles.

[Kayteg1]

If you find a shop who will charge you $100 for replacing a switch on older transmission with 3 owners and will guarantee it will work fine, I want the phone number for them.
When I had slight glitch on my 6-sp Ford manual, that most likely would require replacing a spring on gear holder, no shop would quote me for anything less than total transmission rebuild.
We are only humans.
Now Vinsil has a point that those trucks usually are chipped out of their brains. I read it all the time on Ford Forum that new owner after trying figure out strange acting finds a hidden chip under dashboard.

[Vinsil]

mkirsch wrote:
There's no point in wasting time with a shop until it won't move anymore. All a shop is going to do is put the truck up on a rack, LOOK (visually) at the transmission, say "Yup, it's a transmission. Looks fine," and charge you a few hundred dollars for the privilege.

If nothing is sticking through the case, there's nothing a transmission shop can "look" at without pulling the transmission and tearing it down. You're not going to want to spend that kind of money and not rebuild the transmission, which means even more money...

Flush and fill with a new filter might be prudent as the mileage is still low enough that flushing and filling may still do more good than harm. Other than that, run it until you see a pile of parts and/or a puddle emerge from under the truck.

You need to find a new shop if that is how they treat you! Wow.

[mkirsch]

There's no point in wasting time with a shop until it won't move anymore. All a shop is going to do is put the truck up on a rack, LOOK (visually) at the transmission, say "Yup, it's a transmission. Looks fine," and charge you a few hundred dollars for the privilege.

If nothing is sticking through the case, there's nothing a transmission shop can "look" at without pulling the transmission and tearing it down. You're not going to want to spend that kind of money and not rebuild the transmission, which means even more money...

Flush and fill with a new filter might be prudent as the mileage is still low enough that flushing and filling may still do more good than harm. Other than that, run it until you see a pile of parts and/or a puddle emerge from under the truck.

[Boatycall]

Now, granted, i have the diesel, but I thought my experience may have relevance.

I had to replaced my tranny not long after I did a bunch of simple power mods.... The original tranny was known to be the achille's heal of the 7.3's. I replaced it with what was at the time, one of the best reviewed trannies I could get, a Jasper Transmission Monsterbox.

First thing I noticed was firmer, harder shifts. I called Jasper, and they said this was intentional due to a firmer shift kit.

This was 11-ish years ago, never have had a single problem with it since, and I've always hauled heavy.

[Vinsil]

Kayteg1 wrote:
2001 is 4-speed?
Those transmissions are computer-controlled and should shift smoothly.
One of Ford Truck forums should have plenty answers to your question.

Not true. Computer controlled doesn't mean the trans cannot shift firmer. He is the third owner....it could have tuned at one point in its life. In fact, if it was a tow rig only, it is more likely as most try to get more power, better trans pressure, firmer shifts...ect.

See here.


If it doesn't feel right and bangs gears...have a shop check it. My coworker lost his transmission in his dodge ram. He pulls a 38 ft 5er and told the shop to build it so it won't fail. He was shocked at how hard it would shift pulling his trailer...but the shop told him it won't fail again and can handle 800 horsepower now. He was happy after got used to the new torque converter lockup and firm shifts.

[Kayteg1]

2001 is 4-speed?
Those transmissions are computer-controlled and should shift smoothly.
One of Ford Truck forums should have plenty answers to your question.

[K_Charles]

Bigger engine, stiffer springs and a lower geared rear end, it won't feel the same when it shifts. Does it shutter, or have a delay when you move the shift lever?

[1handyhubby]

Sorry, I should have added more information. The truck only has 49,000 miles on it. I'm the third owner. The previous owner hasn't had any issues with it and used the truck to tow his toy hauler to the desert and didn't drive it daily. He said it has always shifted like that with no issues. It could be normal I just was curious if others had theirs shift this way. Thanks.

[Vinsil]

Is it tuned? Did the PO have it rebuilt? If so, the tune and rebuild could lead to a more harsh shift. Not a bad thing at all, you want a positive shift and not a slippery, sloppy shift as that means it is building heat and heat kills auto's.

Or your trans is dying. How many miles?

Your truck is 15 years old and used. Hard to guess without more info and background. If it doesn't feel right have it checked out.