I've had a bunch of F-150's; and it seems like their performance keeps getting worse.

My current F-150 is a 2008, with the 5.4L.

There is a serious "dead spot" around 40mph where (under light acceleration) it has already shifted into 3rd gear. If you stab the accelerator -- nothing happens. It won't downshift; it can't be downshifted manually (nothing happens if you try); and the engine just lugs along in much too high a gear. The acceleration is dangerously inadequate.

My last truck was a F250 with a V10 and 4:30 gears -- I wish I'd kept it. It was a much better (and quicker) truck.

I've had several older 5.4's that performed much better -- so what's going on here?

I assume the engineers set these things up so that they jump into the higher gears earlier, in order to get better milage; and they have completely forgotten about driveability.

I was thinking about buying the HyperTech programer to help the shift problem; but I'm reading a lot of negative stuff here. POS is a term that seems to pop up a lot. I'd rather not waste $400 on a gadget that doesn't work.

I feel like there is probably enough power there (current 5.4), if it was managed correctly.

Are there any chips or programers that are any good, and will eliminate this "dead zone"?

Thanks

 

What gearing in your current F150? I've got a 250 with 5.4/3.73 ls and when you hit it at 40 or so it really lights up nicely. You may only need to reflash, perhaps your control module is a little lazy on downshifts. Try that at the dealer b4 investing in a programmer. Have you tried taking it to the dealer for warranty service? I don't think the lazy downshift is an acceptable "normal" operating condition and could be considered unsafe.

 

Mine is a 4x4 with 3.73 (limited slip) gears. If this isn't a common problem, maybe my computer just got "stupid". I'll talk to the dealer. Thanks.

 

try a edge evo programmer they work well and are not as expensive as others out there and they have gauges to boot

 

my 06 f-150 when IM doing around 40mph and I hit the gas on my truck it gets up and gose's must be something with the computer not set right.... AN edge evolution chip might help you even more to after you get it checked out. I liked the edge chip that was in my truck it preformed pretty good..

 

I have the same set up as you and my truck would do it sometimes, I think its just the computer thinking wrong. LOL I think I had this happen maybe 2-3 times in the 4 years I have had the truck. I have an 05.

 

i have the same truck in a FX4 its the truck it weighs a ton. get use to it lol just love it where it does do good

i have an edge and when i put it to the test it didnt preform.
it will change your shifts around and make them hit harder thats about it.
its worth 200 bucks for the gauges... thats about it lol

 

Ford geared these transmissions more for fuel economy, and at 40 mph, the trans can't downshift to a low enough gear to create as much thrust as some of us would like. I run the Diablosport programmer and it has helped my truck alot. I ran my truck at the track with stock tune and could only run 16.49 at 84 mph in the 1/4 mile. Tuned, my best so far is 15.8 at 91 mph. I was able to program the trans to shift at 5000 rpm's ( peak hp), and change the shift firmness for quicker shifts, among other things.The fact that re-programing my truck knocked 8 tenths off my qtr. mile times tells me that the 5.4 is a very de-tuned engine. That being said I would agree that having a re-flash at the dealer would be a good thing to look into.

 

Wow, the thought of Ford gearing the transmissions for fuel economy and still only getting an average of 13 mpg..... is scarry.. LOL Was it really worth the lack of get up and go?

 

I've had 2 - 5.4's now, not impressed. First was an 08 F250 4x4. Not sure on the gears but a lazy ole beast. Now a 04 FX4, with an edge programmer. Still not much to write home about. Leaving the lights, it'll dump a full coffee out of the cupholder. Then, it's like the Ford gods reach on in to the engine, and remove all the GO. Will learn to live with it, as I can't ever see my self in a dog or gm. Just wish I had the know-how to edit the programming to make a difference. I am sure the truck has so much more potential to burn gas- er, make more power. LOL.

 

Negative....Ford set these shift and torque converter schedules up for smooth, seemless shifting. If they were geared for longevity or economy the shifts would be firmer and more positive in feel, as well as earlier and closer together. Comfort and drivability will always win out over power and economy in a factory tune.

 

Agreed. Mileage was not on their top priority.

Neither was performance. If it had, this topic would be dead.

 

My 05 occasionally has a "weird" shift thing, but coming up an on ramp to the freeway at 40mph, with the pedal to the floor it will downshift, and get right up there with the 80mph traffic. Wouldnt mind an extra 100hp tho...

 

No dead spots in mine punch it and it goes. Pulls good from stop to top end.
These are big trucks. There not race trucks.

 

I disagree, if you are averaging on 13 mpg, you must be driving with a serious lead foot. I have a 04 SCREW and have always averaged 17.3 mpg over the 72000 miles with a high on the interstate of 21.