I tried posting this in the Transmission and Transfer Case forum and got no response- I'll try all you Heavy and Super Duty folks out:

I have heard that Ford technicians can reprogram the 4R100 to increase line pressure and firm up the shifts to decrease wear during towing. Has anybody out there had this done? Is there a TSB for this, or would they charge for this service? I'd kinda like to have Ford make mods to protect my warranty if possible.

The other option I am considering is a Banks Transcommand. My understanding is that it only firms up the shift when you need it (towing, hard acceleration). Any feedback on this little black box??

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

I'd be interested in this too. If you find out, be sure to let us know.

 

I dont know about Ford doing this work but there is only one guy that I will let touch my trans in my SD and that is Pat Barrett of Level 10 transmissions in N.J. He is a master of the auto trans and specializes in Ford 4r100 trans and all other Ford auto trans. When I had my 2000 Lightning he set up the trans with a valve body recalibration which sets new line pressures and firms up the soft shifts that are inherited in the 4r100. also lowers the operating temps of the trans for longer life and durability. it was a night and day difference for my Lightning. I will be soon be having him do my 2002 F250 SD with the same calibration since I feel the same problems with the 4r100 in my SD as I did in my 2000 L. good luck. 95rcobra.

_______________________
2002 F250 SD SC SB Lariat V10.
1995 Cobra R model #185.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Feb-02 AT 09:48 PM (EST)]Come on cobra, you can't leave us all hangin like that! Tell us more! I'm soon gonna be towing a 8K# trailer with my X, I want my tranny to live and be happy and not break down with 4 kids in the truck!! Come one, quit hoggin info!!

 

what you guys are talking about is possible at the dealer if they are willing to do it I think what they do is raise the line pressure so it will shift harder and not have any slipage in the clutches what so ever I complained about my trucks shifting when I had 12 big round bales of hay on 26 ft gooseneck and it did not shift good at all it was real sluggish when I got the truck back it shifted hard I ask what had been done all they said was they reprogrammed the transmission.

 

I don't know what year trucks y'all have but the only thing i can see as far as updates is a TSB#00-24-6 but it is only for 99' model maybe early 00' up to 7-3-99 production date for erratic shifting early or late and this was to update the pcm which controls tranny functions. I know for a fact that a FORD tech can't change tranny shift points or pressures by themselves,unless it is an update from FORD which contains these changes. The only way to change these is to put in a chip which allows you to change these values or have the right equipment to do it which still requires so kind of aftermarket PROM in the PCM. So that being said forget the dealer for this and get a chip or trans command which targets these functions.
Peace
Superdutymjh

 

some ford dealers will sell and install hypertech program....it increaces horsepower and firms automatic shift... they sell the program and install for about $475.... you can buy it at discount auto for $340 and down load it yourself.... big...big...increase in power.... check out..... hypertech web site for more infro....it is easy to down load and it works..... jim....

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Feb-02 AT 01:09 AM (EST)]I knew I could count on you Heavy/Super Duty folks for some input. This particular forum seems to be quite a bit more "active" (I guess that's one way of referring to monsta ) than some of the others.

95rCobra- NJ, hum... sounds like its just a bit outta my way :P

SVO- thanks for the info- tell us more- was there a TSB for this? Do you know exactly what they did?

Superdutymjh/avion- Any idea where I can get a copy of the TSB? I would like to stay away from aftermarket chips if possible and go with a factory reprogram or possibly something as simple as the Transcommand.

Anybody out there have any input on the Transcommand??

Blubeast01- are you following this thread??

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

I have the TransCommand and like what it does. It is easy to install and if you need to go back to factory settings all you do is unplug it and plug in their jumper and thats it. It still shifts pretty much factory when you are driving easy, lay the wood to it or have a load and that is when you feel the shifts in the seat of the pants. It gives positive shifts from 1-2, and 2-3, but going into OD is still soft. Price wise, the Sonnax valve and spring retro is definately cheaper. I almost went that route, but since I went full Banks jacket, I got the TransCommand. I see DiabloSport sells a valve kit here on this site that claims to improve shift points. I still would like to hear if any V10 guys go to a lower stall speed torque convertor, or at least a better one like BD. I think a better TC would get more power to the wheels. Any thoughts on that? Anyway, good luck on your decision. The fun part is tinkering, the hard part is paying. JPS

 

Banks TransCommand here on a bone stock PSD. Shifts as stock with no load, but firms them up pretty good towing fifth wheel. So far, I like it, but haven't done a long trip yet. Camper World sells them about 40 to 50 bucks cheaper than directly from banks. About 45 min. install, even for someone with ten thumbs, like me. Don't have to drop the pan, only drill two holes in sheet metal underneath for mounting. Hardest part was getting the electronic plug disconnected due to limited space to get fat hands into.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Feb-02 AT 02:37 PM (EST)]I am very curious about the Banks Transcommand myself. I have installed the Sonnax valves and Tricumulator springs in my rig. The shifts were defintely improved over stock, no question about that. It's not barking the rear hoops between gears or anything, but that's to be expected with a V10 crewcab (heavy truck) with 3.73 gears.

Unfortunately, it didn't fix what I feel is another real issue with the tranny in this pickup. The lag time between gear shift selections and actual engagement. I hate backing up and then putting the gear selecter in "D" only to sit there and wait for the thing to hook up. I'm hoping Transcommand owners can comment on this behavior before and after installation.

Oh, here's another thing with the harder shifts I now have. The 1-2 shift under full throttle squeels the front engine pulley belt during the shift. Has anyone else experienced this? My theory is that now the shift happens so fast that the drastic reduction in RPM causes the belt, which is moving at a fast rate of speed, to very quickly slow down to a lower rpm, causing it to squeel. These aren't adjustable pulleys, as far as I know. So I think I'll try some belt spray first and if that doesn't work, I'll try to buy a shorter belt. The thinking there is that a shorter belt will have a tighter hold on the pulleys, reducing the chance of the squeel.

 

From what I have read, the Transcommand is supposed to remove the time lag when shifting into reverse.

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

Hey Monsta,
Sorry to keep you hangin like that but I dont have any time for replies during the day at work. anyway you can check out this system at www.levelten.com and go into the online store at left then scroll down to Hydrosystem valve body recalibration and then go into ford and open up the part for the 4r100. gives some good info on what it does and the kit is $149. If you dont want to do it yourself probably would run around 75-100 to get it installed at a shop in your area. it is well worth the money spent for what this system does for the 4R100. Later, 95rcobra.

_______________________
2002 F250 SD SC SB Lariat V10.
1995 Cobra R model #185.

 

V10gunner,If you are still interested in that TSB I might be able to e-mail it to you if you give me your address, Not to sure if it will work but I will try it if you want me to . The TSB is very short and may not even apply to your vehicle.
Let me know?
Superdutymjh

 

$149! For a valve? My God, is it made of gold? The Diablo unit, machined from stainless, is half the price! There are units for even less, though I don't know what they're machined from....

As to the dealer reprogramming, well they can reflash with one of Ford's ECU codes. Some ECU codes treat the tranny differently than others.... BUT none of them are going to do the job of a chip, shift kit, or valve.