AOD Shift Problems
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AOD Shift Problems
Hey, new to the site. I have a 1990 f150 4x4 with 302 and AOD tranny. Experiencing poor shifting since I got it (119000 miles when I got it, now has 140000 miles).
I tuned the truck (rotor, cap, plugs, wires). The tranny was flushed, filter changed, and an additive added. Adjusted the TV cable as per manual. Tranny seems to shift early. When cruising down the highway (65-75) will lose speed at the slightest grade. Have to keep down shifting to get back up to speed. If I'm in overdrive and manually shift down to drive, engine rpm sometimes flares. Towed a trailer with about 1000 lbs and truck was a guttless wonder. Planning on installing a shift kit, but still not sure if transmission is the problem or maybe the motor is just shot. Any ideas?
I tuned the truck (rotor, cap, plugs, wires). The tranny was flushed, filter changed, and an additive added. Adjusted the TV cable as per manual. Tranny seems to shift early. When cruising down the highway (65-75) will lose speed at the slightest grade. Have to keep down shifting to get back up to speed. If I'm in overdrive and manually shift down to drive, engine rpm sometimes flares. Towed a trailer with about 1000 lbs and truck was a guttless wonder. Planning on installing a shift kit, but still not sure if transmission is the problem or maybe the motor is just shot. Any ideas?
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Owensboro, KY
On my '87 4x2 with AOD, I have a sticker on the sun visor that advises towing in drive, not overdrive, and if I had to guess, it's for the reasons you mention. I've not hauled a lot of heavy loads in mine (and have yet to tow anything, because I just don't think this truck was made for that -- it's only rated 4900# GVW).
Like yours, my truck loses speed and downshifts really easily when I go to catch back up to the speed I wanted. I've gotten used to it, so it's really not a big issue. We have a good many hills around here, too, which I am sure is part of it.
Of course, I've got over 246K miles on mine ... I really shouldn't gripe. It runs, gets me from A to B and back again, which is really the point, I guess.
Like yours, my truck loses speed and downshifts really easily when I go to catch back up to the speed I wanted. I've gotten used to it, so it's really not a big issue. We have a good many hills around here, too, which I am sure is part of it.
Of course, I've got over 246K miles on mine ... I really shouldn't gripe. It runs, gets me from A to B and back again, which is really the point, I guess.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by clavin001
When cruising down the highway (65-75) will lose speed at the slightest grade. Have to keep down shifting to get back up to speed.
P.S. if you increase preload on the TV cable slightly from the recommended setting the shift points will be later.
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From: Owensboro, KY
I decided after my earlier post to dig through the large envelope of paperwork Big Red's previous owner gave me. I knew she had the tranny rebuilt, and I've mentioned before that I noticed that my transmission seemed to shift later.
Well, in all of that paperwork was the invoice for the rebuild, and it has the very Transgo shift kit albung mentioned. Guess I'm money ahead.
Well, in all of that paperwork was the invoice for the rebuild, and it has the very Transgo shift kit albung mentioned. Guess I'm money ahead.
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Yeah, I thought about a gear change too. It has 3.55 with the limited slip. When I bought it, it had 31x10.50's, so I changed it back to 235/75 R15 but didn't see much difference. I'm tired of sitting close to the ground so the hell with it, I'm putting bigger tires on. How much worse can it be??? How do I know if I have too much preload on the TV cable?
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by clavin001
How do I know if I have too much preload on the TV cable?
3.55 gears are not the worst in the world, but as stated this motor is strangled badly. The best thing you could do is replace the whole exhaust system and upgrade the cam, but if that's more than you're prepared for consider adding 1.7 roller rockers and/or ditching the stock exhaust system.
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