reduced power in low range

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Apr 12, 2015 | 12:01 PM

eberlestock

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,210

Likes: 20

From: prince george, bc canada

reduced power in low range

I used to drive a 2008 f150. When that truck was put in low range the power was reduced. Usually you get huge power but in this rig it felt like the timing would get retarded or something. I now have an 06 F250 and it does the same thing. I hit about a foot of wet snow so I selected low range. The truck got through it easy but there was little power. I could run it wide open. I switched to high range and got back my tire shredding fishtailing V10 power. Can someone explain this to me??

Apr 12, 2015 | 03:07 PM

SuperDutyScaler

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 8,450

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From: South Jersey

In low range you loose wheel speed but gain tremendous low end train pulling power. My 5.4 F350 when put in low range pulls like five locomotives but it has slow wheel speed, that's why it's nice to select 2nd gear low range

iPhone from IB AutoGroup

Apr 12, 2015 | 06:22 PM

eberlestock

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,210

Likes: 20

From: prince george, bc canada

Its not speed that concerns me. Its actual power. It is greatly reduced. I am assuming the timing is being retarded so you don't break drivetrain parts?

Apr 12, 2015 | 06:40 PM

seville009

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2004

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Are you talking about high revs? That's what it does. I only use 4lo when I'm plowing deep wet snow. It's like a bulldozer. Hate reversing in 4lo.

Apr 14, 2015 | 09:54 PM

eberlestock

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,210

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From: prince george, bc canada

Its like the truck loses 50% of its horsepower. I am surprised no one else is aware of this issue. Usually in low with my older trucks you had to be careful not to break u-joints and such because of the incredible power in low range. Both of these newer trucks I have used have little power in low range. Absolutely no way you could break a u-joint because of this lack of power. I assume ford does this on purpose to prevent breakage?

Apr 14, 2015 | 10:58 PM

twigsV10

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 2,113

Likes: 4

From: Iowa

Literally the only time I've neaded or used 4low in my 06 F350 V10 was pulling a loaded 450 bushel wagon out of the field, I didn't notice any power reduction it would easily spin all the tires.

Edit. Now that you got me thinking about it I do remember putting the 06 V10 in 4low and putting the hammer down to see what it would do, there was definitely no reduced power. 0-35mph was crazy fast and the transmission had a hard time shifting fast enough but 35mph was about as fast as I'd want to go in 4low. Sigh, The stupid things I do with my trucks....