In the TorqShift transmission (used in the SuperDuties), when you put it in 3rd, 3rd is all you get. Verified by our resident transmision guy, Mark Kovalsky. The noise elsewhere is that the F150 transmission is similar in function. The TorqShift guys have been warned specifically against starting out in 3rd gear, to prevent burning out the direct drive clutches.

Chevy transmissions (at least the TH350 and TH700R4) still allowed the use of the lower gears; i.e. if you chose 3 (instead of D) you got 1st and 2nd as well.

This is no longer the case in the newer Ford transmissions. Put it in D and let it do the thinking. That's the way the EPA wants it.

-blaine

 

Tylus,
My 09 manual is pretty clear.

But manuals have been wrong before, so I'll try it today and see.

 

link please?

anything besides 1 guy saying so?

that is pure stupidity if true. That would kill the gear reduction and mechanical advantage of the lower gears...which means a lower tow capacity. So I have a hard time believing that. Especially as Ford keeps upping the ante in the towing arena.

and the EPA would not support such a feature. it would cause you to burn more fuel...not less.
I agree it says that weird phrase.

it also says that in my 2008 Expy manual and my 2006 F-150 manual. and my 2009 Mustang manual
My Expy has the same tranny as the F-150 (minus a few clutchs) and it definately shifts 1-3 when in 3rd gear. the weird feeling is the remapped PCM.

 

I just got back. I tried it three separate times and the only gear it used was 3rd.

 

yep. 3rd is 3rd. Same for 1st and 2nd. The only time it will shift is in drive. I hold 1st and 2nd a lot when I'm at the beach keeps fom bogging the motor down in soft sand

 

Here is the question if you were to always leave your tranny in 3rd when starting out from a stop, does it put more strain on the tranny?

 

yes it does because its not ment to leave from a stop in that gear. Take everyones advice and put the truck in D and drive it like that. There is no reason to not use overdrive anymore like you would with your older chevy

 

Sounds good!

 

sorry guys, I was way off on that one. I tried it in stop/go traffic earlier and sure as **** it stayed in 3rd gear only the entire time.

stupid