I have a 1987 F250 4X4 6.9L with an automatic transmission.

Truck has only 54,000 miles (I have no reason to believe the spedo has rolled over to 154,000) When starting off it seems to take more throttle than normal to get moving. When backing up a 1,200lb trailer up a slight driveway incline, I had to really put my foot into it to move. while driving, it seems to shift normal, HWY speed 65-70MPH runs around 2500-3000rpm. So my question is, is this normal for this engine/transmission combo.

I have had Toyota and VW diesels in the past, but they were manuals, so I really have nothing to compare this too.

 

have you checked the level and condition of the transmission fluid ?

 

I'm thinking I might just be a paranoid idiot. Took if for a quick spin around the block, it starts to pull about 1000 rpm from a stop. put it in reverse and started rolling at idle. The fluid was a nice pink color with no burnt smell. It was about 1/4 inch below the hash marks, but not sure if it was warmed up enough, I only made a short trip around the block.

 

Pink? Do you mean red? Pink is an indication of water in the trans.

 

Yes, Red but a light red, not brown burt fluid red. Not water contaminated strawberry milkshake pink.

 

It is a c6 and this is classic Symptoms of seal failure. They get hard with age and leak. Causing you to have to rev up to build enough pressure to to engage. Time for a rebuild.