7700 Transmission Downshift problem
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Joined: Jun 2003
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7700 Transmission Downshift problem
Hello, I am new to this forum, and was hoping someone may be able to provide some information on my shifting problem.
I have a 2003 F150 7700 series 4X4 with the 5.4 litre engine. I use this truck to tow my Center Console fishing boat. With the trailer this package is over 5,000 lbs. This truck pulls the rig just fine, no issues with power, handling, stability, or stopping. It is really a nice truck for towing a boat. The issue is (or at least I think it is an issue) that when going up a hill, the automatic transmission seems to downshift by 2 gears instead of just one, as I would expect. In fact, this happens even when I am not towing. I always leave the truck in overdrive mode, even when towing. This saves me a bit of fuel, and every little bit helps with this gas guzzler. When approaching a hill, I have gotten into the habit of shifting out of overdrive to eliminate my problem. This does seem to work ok, and prevents the 2 gear downshift, but I dont think that I should have to manually intervene here.
What do you folks think.
Is this normal, or do I have a problem.
I have a 2003 F150 7700 series 4X4 with the 5.4 litre engine. I use this truck to tow my Center Console fishing boat. With the trailer this package is over 5,000 lbs. This truck pulls the rig just fine, no issues with power, handling, stability, or stopping. It is really a nice truck for towing a boat. The issue is (or at least I think it is an issue) that when going up a hill, the automatic transmission seems to downshift by 2 gears instead of just one, as I would expect. In fact, this happens even when I am not towing. I always leave the truck in overdrive mode, even when towing. This saves me a bit of fuel, and every little bit helps with this gas guzzler. When approaching a hill, I have gotten into the habit of shifting out of overdrive to eliminate my problem. This does seem to work ok, and prevents the 2 gear downshift, but I dont think that I should have to manually intervene here.
What do you folks think.
Is this normal, or do I have a problem.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
7700 Transmission Downshift problem
Towing in OD is a bad, especially with a grade change that causes a down shift. That double downshift you have felt could have been causing a lot of harm with excessive wear. The double downshift is the torque convertor locking up (in OD) then shifting down to 3rd. By being in drive instead of OD you've since resolved that issue.
-Kerry
-Kerry
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
7700 Transmission Downshift problem
That would be the torque converter unlocking in OD, then downshifting to Drive wouldn't it? That's what mine did. I turn off OD at the bottom of hills when towing now. I don't want to be pulling a tranny any sonner than I have to!!
Jimmy
Jimmy
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
7700 Transmission Downshift problem
Locking-unlocking... you knew what I meant....
I've noticed my truck does it when upshifting up a freeway merge ramp from a dead stop, if I give it moderately light throttle, to 70 mph. It up-shifts through first, second and drive, then it shifts to OD. Then the torque convertor will lock (feesl like a shift to an unknown 5th gear)
and the truck will hum along at 1850rpm @70mph and get some pretty impressive mileage (for a 5500 lb, 5.4, 4x4, with a 3.73 LS and a 300 pound shell) if I get to keep it up through a tank full.
-Kerry
I've noticed my truck does it when upshifting up a freeway merge ramp from a dead stop, if I give it moderately light throttle, to 70 mph. It up-shifts through first, second and drive, then it shifts to OD. Then the torque convertor will lock (feesl like a shift to an unknown 5th gear)
and the truck will hum along at 1850rpm @70mph and get some pretty impressive mileage (for a 5500 lb, 5.4, 4x4, with a 3.73 LS and a 300 pound shell) if I get to keep it up through a tank full.-Kerry
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7700 Transmission Downshift problem
Thanks Jimmy and Kerry.
I think your answer is right on the money, and actually I am a bit disturbed that this seems to be the way Ford designed it to work. I have adopted the practice of manually shifting out of overdrive on the bottom of hills. This does solve the problem, but it seems like that darn computer chip could be programmed to handle this small task.
I love my truck, this is just a bit anoying.
Thanks for your advise!!!
I think your answer is right on the money, and actually I am a bit disturbed that this seems to be the way Ford designed it to work. I have adopted the practice of manually shifting out of overdrive on the bottom of hills. This does solve the problem, but it seems like that darn computer chip could be programmed to handle this small task.
I love my truck, this is just a bit anoying.
Thanks for your advise!!!
