I have a 2000 F-550 PSD 4x4 w/ 4 spd auto trans. It is outfitted to respond to fires in this mountain and forest area (Colorado). It weighs in at 15,500# (17,500# GVWR) and has about 3000 miles on it.
On the mountain roads (up to 12% grades), the trammy heats up some, and then "locks in" to 2nd gear which causes the engine to lug down and have no power. I have to shift into 4 wheel lo range to creep "home".
Ford garage tells me only that they will replace/repair the torque converter under warranty, but I don't get any info about possible overload on the design of the 12" single stage TC. An aftermarketer wants to install a 13.5" 3 stage TC (for $1500+), but I wonder if Ford shouldn't replace the apparently under-designed mis-matched TC in this truck.
Any and all thoughts and advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
Fignewt

 

>I have a 2000 F-550 PSD 4x4 w/ 4 spd auto trans. It is
>outfitted to respond to fires in this mountain and forest
>area (Colorado). It weighs in at 15,500# (17,500# GVWR)
>and has about 3000 miles on it.
>On the mountain roads (up to 12% grades), the trammy heats
>up some, and then "locks in" to 2nd gear which causes the
>engine to lug down and have no power. I have to shift into
>4 wheel lo range to creep "home".
>Ford garage tells me only that they will replace/repair the
>torque converter under warranty, but I don't get any info
>about possible overload on the design of the 12" single
>stage TC. An aftermarketer wants to install a 13.5" 3 stage
>TC (for $1500+), but I wonder if Ford shouldn't replace the
>apparently under-designed mis-matched TC in this truck.
>Any and all thoughts and advice will be appreciated.
>Thanks.
>Fignewt



It sounds to me like someone from ford should drive up those mountain roads with you when their house or thousands of acres of forestry are a stake of burning down!

Ford engineering reps should be alerted to this problem ,by requesting
a meeting with them or draft up a letter to #1 himself Bill Ford.

He likes doing commercials maybe you can take him for a ride in this vehicle.

All Joking aside Ford should fix it and be made aware of the problems.

Have you posted this in the Diesel Forum,
Their are some guys who work for ford over there they might be of more help!

Welcome to FTE
Fignewt

Rich

 

There is a TSB on transmission overheating that I think relates to your problem. A new torque converter isn't going to help much, if at all.

When you feel it "lock in" what I think is happening is the torque converter is locking.

It will lock due to high transmission temperatures. Trucks built before February, 2000 didn't have a transmission cooler in the radiator. They only had the air-to-oil cooler out front of the radiator. Is this the way your truck was built?

If so, the TSB authorizes your dealer to replace the radiator with one the has a transmission cooler, and also keep the existing cooler. It's done under warranty if the truck is still in the 3 year/36,000 miles warranty period. Yours should fall into this.

Your driving conditions are exactly where the transmission heating problems occur. High load and low vehicle speeds are the problem.

Mark

 

 

Mark- does the F550 have the 4R100 too?

 

Hey guys,

With my 99' F-350, PSD, DRW, 4:10's I had the O.D. lite on the end of the shifter flashing( ocassionally ) a while back, was just a (range sensor) in tranny so the tech said, no burnt tranny fluid or torqe-converter,,anyway they ( Ford ) replaced the Radiator with the newer style, with better tranny cooling, at the same time they had it in there,,I thought that was nice of them,, . I would think Ford would do that,,Was'nt this a "Fire Truck" And I asked them, about the tranny,,same tranny from a F-250 to a F-550,,4R100.

Good Luck,,,,,,Mark

 

Yes, the F250 thorugh F550 have the same engines and transmissions.

Mark

 

Mark
Very good info on the subject!
I'm not an auto lover so don't get into them that much

Keep the good info coming for everyone else though!
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I give ya 2 thumbs up !

Rich







Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
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