Hello Everyone,

Just wondering what to do with my Truck Transmission. It has a difficult time shifting into first gear. It is automatic. It has a 5.4 Triton (2001 F-250). It is gas powered and 2 wheel drive. I just got it back from the local tranny shop and the owner gave me a quote of $2300 Canadian to rebuild it with a new Shift Kit. Does it make sense to rebuild or get one from the junk yard. The truck has 214,000 Miles or 344,000 Kms on it. The engine still runs strong and doesn't burn or use any oil. Not sure on a junk yard quote yet.

Thanks in advance.........Regards, Mike N

 

I have a 5.4 2002 4x4 auto w/170,000+miles. I'm not sure what you mean by having a difficult time shifting into 1st. Do you mean shifting into drive and its not engaging, or the shift lever is sticking or binding and it's physically hard to move? My shift lever (on the steeting column) moved easily, too easily. It was what I would call sloppy. Sometimes it would engage in drive, sometimes it didn't, until I gave it a little gas. and then it would jerk and take off. Took it to the dealer and ran out when they said trans was shot and 3200.00 would fix it. Went to an AAMCO and they said 2400.00 would fix it. Ran from there also. That was a couple years ago. The problem stopped for a while and then returned intermittently. I just took it to a shop that was recommended by someone on this site, and it was a couple loose bolts on the shifter column. The linkage wasn't moving correctly and engaging properly at the trans. Problem solved for 65.00. I have to add that I don't drive it but maybe 2,000 miles a year over the last few years. It's mainly my plow truck for my driveway and lumber yard truck occasionally, so thats why it wasn't an urgent concern for me.

 

When you put the truck into D is it slow to engage? How does the Fluid look and when was it last serviced?

 

Thanks for your reply and info Cody. I should have been a little more descriptive. It shifts into "Drive" fine but as you step on the gas and the transmission starts to shift into "First Gear", the motor revs high and it doesn't want to shift. It will eventually but not without some hesitation. I was told that the Seals in the Transmission are shot and as the truck runs longer the better it will shift. I guess that the Seals get dried out overtime and when the truck warms up this allows the seals to become spongy again.Hopefully I wasn't shot a BS line from the Transmission Shop.
The Fluid looks good as well and not burnt or anything.

Thanks again for your time and advice

 

It moves into "Drive" well. The fluid looks good. I just purchased the truck and the guy I bought it from was always on top of any issues that came up. I'm not sure when the Transmission was last serviced though. I will have to give him a call and find out.

Thanks for your reply Kdr358

 

When you move the shift handle to "Drive" the transmission shifts to first gear. If it then shifts back to neutral and then to first gear again you definitely have a problem.

It could be worn seals. Seals do not dry out over time. That part is BS. It is unusual that it works better as the transmission gets warmer. Worn seals usually seal best cold when the fluid is thicker, and leak more as the fluid gets warmer.

Most of this discussion is really academic as there is nothing outside of the transmission that can cause this. I believe the transmission will need to come out and get torn down to find the problem.

 

Thanks for the correct info Mark. Much appreciated. I'm going to start looking for a good used tranny this week.