I just purchased a 2000 F-250, Supercab, SWB, 5.4 V8, 2WD, 3.73 rear end, with auto transmission about four weeks ago. It had 16,400 miles on it when I got it. My concern is the downshifting from high gear or OD of the transmission when going up the slightest incline empty. The shift is smooth but appears to downshift to soon. Has anyone else had a problem with this or is this typical for this truck? I have not yet discussed this with the dealer. I wanted to get some feedback from experience customers first.

Thanks for any information you may have.

 

Congrats on the truck. Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions since I don't have a truck. Just wanted to congradulate you. Also, could you let me know how it drives? I would like to get one just like yours in a few years.

N700MS

 

Explain too soon. At what RPM does it downshift?

 

My guess is that it's "normal"...
6000 lb truck + 5.4L engine + 3.73 gears = not a lot of power for hill climbing.

 

I have the same truck but with 285s (bigger than stock) tires on it. Mine only downshifts on the very steep hills. So I generally push the OD button or (TCS) when I approach the foot of a large hill so as to keep my speed while in cruise.

I did notice however that after I changed the battery (i.e. had the battery disconnected for a while) that the amount of hunting seem to be less and shifts became smoother. Maybe my imagination?

Anyway, slight hills should not cause a downshift unless you are accelerating up the hill. Given that you do all the regular maintenance.

 

This downshift occurs on a small hill on the road that we live on. My other truck(99 F-150 supercab,SWB, V6) doesn't downshift at all on the same hill.
Just this morning it downshifted from OD to high at 1800 RPM around 42 MPH.
I also observed this morning the shifting from dead start through all gears on flat road around 1800 RPM. It still goes in OD around 40-45 MPH & 1800 RPM. I was thinking it should not shift to OD until around 50-55 MPH.
Does this help?

GO

 

I don't have the same truck, but this may still help you. My truck will shift into OD anywhere from 40 - 55 mph, depending on how hard you are accelerating. Often if I accelerate to 35 - 40 mph, then have to back off the gas it will drop into OD even at that speed. Of course, it shifts right back to 3rd as soon as you give it a little gas. Overall, I would say my transmission spends too much time shifting between 3rd and od, but I have always been told this is normal operation.

 

 

I HAVE 97PSD, AUTO AND IT SHIFTS INTO OD AROUND 40-45MPH, UNLESS I AM GETTING INTO IT. AND SHIFTS OUT OF OD AROUND 42MPH.

 

88' F250 2wd 200,000+ miles,95' F250 2wd 235,000+ miles,99' F250SD 2wd 99,800 miles & climbing. I have the same truck except for it is a 99,as you can see i put a lot of mile on behind the wheel. And I've noticed that when my truck is empty it searches for a gear on a hill but when you put about a 1000# in it seems to stay in gear without searching. I wish ford would have kept the 5.9 engine, boy , would that eat some hills. Any ways these are some damn good trucks!