Transmission Choice Help!!
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Transmission Choice Help!!
My band and I just recently purchased a 1990 ford E150. It has a 300ci I6 and a 3 speed automatic transmission. We are pulling a 6x8 trailer full of band equipment and five passengers in the van. We are having trouble getting up to speed with this combination. The van won't go more than 55mph and usually hovers more like 45-50mph with the throttle wide open. Second gear seems to get us to about 50 but there doesn't seem to be enough rpm's when it shifts to third. Would a different transmission help? Is the motor just to small (I've towed with a 300 before and had no problems)? Please help us with suggestions. We tour full time and need to be able to go hwy speeds.
Thanks
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
I think you need to pull the codes from the OBD1 and tell us what you get, sounds like something is wrong. You should get lots more power than that, almost sounds like the catalytic converter might be collapsed/clogged, most likely not a trans related problem.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Yup, high gears in it. Most E150s with the 300-6 got 2.75 or 3.08 gears. Mine's got 2.75s, and it's anemic in a headwind. If you're going to be touring and towing with this van, go for a 3.55 rear end. I used to have an F250 with a 300-6 and 4.10 gears, and while it would turn a little faster than I liked on the freeway, it wasn't bad towing. I hauled a 70 Galaxie over a pass, and came back with another F250 on the trailer, it hauled them both just fine.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,208
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From: North Reading Mass
As previous posters have said check for a restricted exhaust, computer codes, and vacuum leaks.
There is a sticker on the door post that will ID the rear axle ratio and transmission installed in the van. There should also be a tag on the axle. I think you can decode it on this site. I've had 3.55s and 3.08s and the 3.55s were much better in all aspects not just towing. Rear axle gear changes should be done by a shop or just change out the entire unit from a JY. $200-$300
regards
rikard
There is a sticker on the door post that will ID the rear axle ratio and transmission installed in the van. There should also be a tag on the axle. I think you can decode it on this site. I've had 3.55s and 3.08s and the 3.55s were much better in all aspects not just towing. Rear axle gear changes should be done by a shop or just change out the entire unit from a JY. $200-$300
regards
rikard
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: northern Michigan
I have pulled a two way horse trailer with a F150 with the same engine transmission combo with 2400 pounds of horses plus hay and tack that added another 600 pounds and never batted an eye at 70 mph. I'd say you have a problem somewheres. If it still has a catalytic convertor on the exhaust you may have a plugged convertor. These will cause what you discribe.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
The trucks, except for the economy F100s, got lower gears. The vans got high gears for economy. They weren't really intended to tow anything, but you could order them with gearing down to 3.73s. High gears make getting to speed and maintaining speed much harder.
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