I recently bought a 99 f250 (production date 01/99) and when I went to drive the transmission will not go into 4th gear. I feel it shift from 1-3 (shifts seem to go in rather quick) but I don't know since this is my first time driving a 7.3. If I turn the OD on/off the transmission will engage on and off. The truck gets up to about 37mph and the revs stay at about 2800-3000 (can't get past that). I recently ordered the ATSG and i will be receiving it soon. Can anyone chime in and tell me where to start looking? A rebuilt trans from bts or John are out of the questions as my funds are low. I am mechanically inclined but never messed with an auto trans before (hence the ATSG). I did change the trans oil and filter and there was a small amount of debris inside, truck has 270k miles and transmission seems to be original. Any and all help is appreciated! I bought this for work and I need it up and running.

 

37mph at 3000rpm, is it 4x4 and in low range? OD off on my truck and at 3000rpm in 3rd it will be around 75mph for reference. I wonder if you are getting 1-2 TC lockup, and you are actually only in second.

 

I'm pretty sure 4x4 is not activated but I will make sure, I know the hubs are definitely not locked. How do I know if the tc is locking up? How does it feel? When I start driving and I put the lever to 1 the truck will get up to high rpms and be barely above 5mph, I thought this is strange but like I said I've never driven a 7.3 before. When it's in D it feels like the trans shifts very fast (feels like 3 quick shifts to me and I'm up to upper 30's mph and near 3k rpm)

I will update tomorrow after I check the truck 4x4 lever. Thinking about it when I went to check out the truck the owner activated the 4x4 to check it and I'm not sure if he put it back to 2wd.

 

What about when you put it in "N" Sounds like maybe your shifter linkage is off a postion.

Is the shifter loose/sloppy? There are 2 torx screws that are known to work loose and cause issues, usually with a "no start" but can be this scenario as well.

In my truck you "feel" and see 4 shifts. 1-2,2-3,3-tc lockup, then od. it really feels like another gear.

You would need a good scan tool to view all commanded shifts and lockup.

 

You have it in low range 4x4. You need to get it out of 4x4 low range. Is it auto 4x4 or manual?

Chet

 

Definitely in low range. I did this once going up a hill for some laughs. It flew through all three gears and wouldn't shift into OD in low. If you have ESOF (4x4 **** on the dash) it could be stuck in low even thought the **** is ins 2wd. Either way, you should have the "4x4" and "low range" lights lit on the instrument cluster, bottom right corner.

 

The shifter has a little play in it but I can feel the transmission shift when I go from P-R-N-D and the orange needle stays in the gear selected, not exactly in the middle but on the gear non the less. Where are the torx located? Under the steering column?

It's 4x4 manual

 

Thanks for the input guys, I really hope it's the 4x4 being activated. I paid 4200 for the truck with a 8ft snow plow. I definitely thought I got a deal until this problem occurred.

 

Here is a pic of the screws, laying in the floor looking up and back under the steering column.

 

Thanks, I will check these tomorrow as well

 

Well if its manual, can you get it in N? If not something is loose. I'd put it in N then go back to 2 wheel drive. Verify N by putting it in drive and Rev it.

Chet

 

Don't rev it with the transfer case in neutral and then try to shift it into gear, things in the t-case grind and sound unhappy (been there, done that). Even if you put the transmission in neutral, there's still enough drag for things to grind.

 

Yes don't shift it if you rev it, its just to verify its in N. If it don't move in drive, the transfer case is in N.

Chet

 

I just want to say thank you to everyone that helped me. The truck was indeed in 4L. Took it for a test drive, got up to 50 (speed limit) and everything seemed to work good. Quick question, when shifting from 4L to N to 4H is it normal to get a small amount of grind?

 

Yes some times. Just don't slam it in, give gears a chance to stop spinning. Won't hurt to check transfer case fuild to. Takes the same as auto trans dose.

Chet