I use my truck to tow pretty heavy trailer. Do the kits (BM comes to mind) seem to help at all firm up shifts? I would like it to try and hold D gear instead of always needing to pull down to second.

1995 Eddie Bauer 4WD EXT f150
302, E4OD, 3.55 gears
K&N drop-in, flowmaster 2 stage
all else stock

 

>I use my truck to tow
>pretty heavy trailer. Do
>the kits (BM comes to
>mind) seem to help at
>all firm up shifts?
>I would like it to
>try and hold D gear
>instead of always needing to
>pull down to second.

I installed the Banks Trans Command Unit. It supplies 20% more pressure to the pump. I'm happy with the setup. Took about 2 hours to install. I did buy the BM Electronic shift kit from Summit but didn't install it. If you haven't bought the BM kit yet I'd sell ya mine.....lol. The Banks unit is $225.00 bucks compared to 40 @ summit.

>1995 Eddie Bauer 4WD EXT f150
>
>302, E4OD, 3.55 gears
>K&N drop-in, flowmaster 2 stage
>all else stock

 

I have a 96 Bronco with the E4OD. A couple of guys talked me out of getting the BM shiftplus kit. They had used it before and only got problems from it. One guy had to reprogram his computer (lots of $$$$). I didn't think it was worth the risk of damaging my truck just so I could have firmer shifts. Haven't heard anything bad about Banks though (Just a lot more expensive)
Chris

 

I'm not sure what you are asking here.A shift kit will firm up shifts,but that has nothing to do with being able to keep the transmission in D and not having to shift into 2nd.Because you say you tow a heavy trailer you'll find that your biggest problem is your 302/3.55 gear combination,and not the transmission.I tow a 7000# 5th wheel with an X Cab F250 4X4,351W with 3.55 gears so I know your problem.Its not quite as bad as with the 302 but I struggle up some hills.I even use 1st gear (auto) when I get into the switchbacks.
There are two ways to solve your problem if you want to keep the tranny in D.One is to swap to 4.10 gears which is what I think that I'm going to do and even then you'll find that you need second gear when you tow.Remember that the 302 is a pretty small motor.This is a pretty pricey job unless you can find a complete front and rear axle assembly from a wrecked truck.Thats the cheapest and easiest route to go unless you are skilled at swapping gears.I'm not!I've taken this route before and found that I could sell my old axles for about the same as I paid for my new ones and the cost of the swap was minimal.The other is to pull the 302,keep the 3.55 gears and drop a 460 into it,which is my second choice option.The 460 however is a pretty heavy motor to put in a half ton and they do tend to suck back just a wee bit more gasoline though,but boy do they ever pull!Who said owning a truck was cheap?
Back to the shift kit question though.My buddy used the BM electronic kit in his truck and it works great.Its adjustable from the cab as well.I'm adding one to my truck because my 4EOD is the mushiest shifting transmission that I've ever owned.It's a good idea to put in any truck thats used for towing,as is a big axilluary tranny cooler.
Hope this sheds some light on a few things for you.
Dave