I'm not a big transmission person. To be honest, they scare the hell outta me.

So.

Question is this, shifts feel muddy. Not shifting firmly at all. It shifts on time but it's like it's taking it's sweet leisurely time to shift. No squeals or anything. I also notice that it'll downshift as I'm coming to a stop. I understand that it naturally has to downshift. But should I be really feeling it downshift while slowing down? It's like someone suddenly jams the brakes a little harder and I notice the engine revs just a little bit. Nothing serious (less than 500 rpms). So I'm wondering if I'm looking at serious transmission problems, or if I should see about installing a shift kit/having a shift kit installed.

 

I really don't know a whole lot about transmissions either. But I have the 4R70W in my 97 4x4, and that is the exact same way mine shifts. I do not think you are having any problems from what you described. For around 280-400 dollars you can buy a programmer and get about 20 more hp and 30 or so more ft/lbs of torque out of your truck and make the transmission shift firmer. This should be better for the transmission than a shift kit too.

 

Hi, Kijutsu.
1) How's your transmission fluid level?
2) a)When was the last time you changed your transmission fluid, and
b)Which fluid did you use?
3) How many miles on your truck? Edit: Nevermind, saw your sig.

 

1.) Fluid level is good.
2.) Trans fluid was changed by dealership when I bought it (I checked it before and after the purchase.) Not sure as to what type.
3.) Sig is wrong, there's almost 103K on it now.

 

Sounds ok to me. Shifts just like the 4R70W trans's in my '98 F150 and in my '98 Interceptor. I am considering a programmer also.

 

My truck shifted slow before I used a Schip on it. It shifts quick & firm now. I have the E4OD. My 04 E250 & my 00 Grand Marquis shift like your truck. I think its normal.

 

Not to hijack this thread but I have a 97 F150 4.6 and 4R70W tranny and when I hit 30 mph after driving the highway, I can feel the downshift out of OD and it has been doing it for a while. I changed the filter at about 170000 miles and have about 191000 on it now. My fluid level is correct and not dark or smell burnt.

 

It will downshift out of OD at ~30mph. At 30 mph you're lucky to be in 3rd gear, let alone OD. Sounds entirely normal to me. Unless it's downshifting hard?

 

if u want firm shifts a programer is the only way to go. in a WOT run my 03 5.4 just about chirps the tires upon the shift to 2nd in the towing mode......

 

Programmers don't wreck out the transmission? I've heard it does. Basically the shift bands go to crap, if I'm not mistaken.

 

I've has my truck chipped for 100k & the trans seems fine. It shifts & pulls good. I've read that a programmer will make the trans last longer.

 

In theory a firmer shift form the programmer means, less friction, less friction means less heat and less wear... making the tranny last longer... intheory. Also in theory this will put a lil bit more wear on ujoints and ring & pinion gears, and axles shafts, and wheel lugs... in theory.

 

I could see the less friction and less torque, but why would it be more wear on the u-joints, ring and pinon geras, axle shafts and wheel lugs? There's no more torque being transferred to them is there? I mean. The torque is pretty much set by the gearing in the transmission. And, for aonther question, where would I get such a programmer and how much would one be?

 

I have never read any of the stuff I said anywhere. But if the transmission shifts quicker and firmer, then the torque is applied quicker and firmer, making the driveline snap more instead of smoothley having more torque applied.
You can look online, I know motorheaven supports FTE or vica versa but if you search for the names of the individual tuenrs on google you can find good deals. I have seen them from 280-500 bucks for our trucks.
There is also an entire forum in here dedicated to them.

 

Thanks for the reply. My dad told me it was normal. It's not really hard at all on the downshift.