I have a 74 F-250 with a 390 and a C6 transmission. My problem is when I shift the tranny into 1st then try to climb any kind of a hill the tranny will shift into 2nd. Is this normal for a C6 transmission? I am not very wise in the ways of these things so I hope someone can help me out. I am not sure if it is the tranny that has something wrong with it or maybe just the linkage is worn and needs replaced. The shifter on the column has a bit of play in it so I thought that might cause it. Is there some place to get new shifter linkage or just the junk yard?
The previous owner has done something to the transmission to make it shift smoother for highway driving. I am assuming he put a shift kit in it or something. It seems that the tranny is always in too high of a gear, and it wont rev out a gear before it shifts. I hope someone can point me in the right direction for a fix of some sort. This is a great site, glad I found it. Thanks for all the help.

Jake
74 F-250 4x4 highboy

 

> I have a 74 F-250 with a 390 and a C6 transmission. My
>problem is when I shift the tranny into 1st then try to
>climb any kind of a hill the tranny will shift into 2nd. Is
>this normal for a C6 transmission? I am not very wise in the
>ways of these things so I hope someone can help me out. I am
>not sure if it is the tranny that has something wrong with
>it or maybe just the linkage is worn and needs replaced. The
>shifter on the column has a bit of play in it so I thought
>that might cause it. Is there some place to get new shifter
>linkage or just the junk yard?
> The previous owner has done something to the
>transmission to make it shift smoother for highway driving.
>I am assuming he put a shift kit in it or something. It
>seems that the tranny is always in too high of a gear, and
>it wont rev out a gear before it shifts. I hope someone can
>point me in the right direction for a fix of some sort. This
>is a great site, glad I found it. Thanks for all the help.
>
>Jake
>74 F-250 4x4 highboy

It sounds like it could be a combination of linkage adjustment and the shifter cable worn or what not, try and put a new one in a used one will just give you the same problem, I dont know how old the trans is or if anyone did any work on it, shifting smoother for highway would not be a shift kit, it holds the shifts longer and increases line pressure usually. hope this helps

 

Your soft shift or early shift problem is most likley due to an improperally adjusted kick down rod. The tighter the rod or shorter movement it makes the higher the rpm of the shift at least to a point.

 

I looked at my kickdown rod but it didn't look like it had any adjustment to it. So I just took it off, and it fixed everything. The truck runs how I like it now but will it hurt anything to leave the kickdown rod off? I hope not because that was a pretty easy fix :-) . Thanks for the help, it is very nice to have a site like this.


Jake
74 F-250 4x4 highboy

 

Hey Jake, I have never had the kickdown rod installed on my truck and it has always shifted right to suit me. Wished I had my Highboy done. At least I always know where my Fridays & Saturdays are going to be spent. Cheers!!

 

Thanks 30over I am glad to hear that it wont hurt anything. I have a lot of work I want to do on my truck also. Good luck on your truck .


Jake
74 F-250 4x4 highboy