1993 Ford F150 XLT 5.0L AOD

This morning on my way to work on the highway my truck starting lurching/bucking pretty bad I tapped on the brakes and it stopped. I shifted to the D without the circle around it and it stopped lurching. I shifted back to regular drive to see what it would do and it was like it was in neutral. The engine would rev up if I hit the gas but the trans wasn’t kicking it into gear. On my lunch break I got it up to around 50mph in regular drive and it seemed fine. I’m assuming there’s a problem with overdrive. Maybe related-It’s also been shaking at highway speeds but not too bad. I assumed that was a failing torque converter but I’m no mechanic just a DIYer. Also I recently pulled the front fuel pump due to a bad check valve but the replacement was junk so I put the old one back in while waiting for a replacement (the 16 gallon pump assembly has become hard to find) so maybe something with that but I doubt it since it’s only at higher speed.

Probably unrelated but I’ll mention just in case: in the last week I vacuumed out the AC and recharged. And PCV hose started making a humming noise (probably just the way the hose is bent since moving to top of plenum)

In the last couple months: New distributor, fuel pressure regulator, PCV, all new vacuum lines, EGR, cleaned IAC, fuel filter, rear diff fluid, and oil/filter change of course.

 

It’s definitely the trans. I made it home on backroads and just checked the TV/Detent cable and the shifter cable are both fine. Could this be the torque converter or am I looking at a rebuild?

 

It is not the torque converter IMO
But you will get a new one (reman) with your rebuilt AOD
Sounds like you are in for an overhaul or replacement of the AOD
Have fun, at least it's not a E4OD (harder to get out) and heavier

 

I’ll be taking it to the transmission shop on Tuesday

 

Transmission shop said 4th gear wasn’t working and wanted $2600 to replace the whole thing because they didn’t want to take it apart. Looks like I’ll be going to the junkyard!

 

$2600 to reman an AOD? Wow. It has three clutch packs and two bands, it is beyond simple. You also have a 1993 model aka the end of the line so you should have all the upgrades Ford did. Rebuild you should reman yours or a late core. 1992 or 1993. Tossing in a junkyard trans on a 30 year old truck is pointless...unless you know it was reman and the truck was just totalled. Many are sent to the yard due to failed transmissions.

Either you have a smoked OD band or the OD servo popped out, which is unlikely. I have to run errands I will edit this when home again on basic, simple upgrades and where to start gathering data to reman yours.

What is your location? Is the ATF even full? What color is it?

 

That would be awesome! I’m in NC and the fluid level and color are good. I changed fluid and filter myself about a year ago.

 

I just got back from Asheville, NC for some wedding and great weather there. I will tell you with all the hills and such there, keep the thing out of OD once it is rebuilt unless on a long, flat cruise. Just less wear on the trans from shifting all the damned time, for the OD band and especially the forward clutch.

Anyway, learn to build it yourself. Great learning experience and most of your pals will think you are a F-ing genius if you can do auto trans work.

Upgrade to the 2" OD band the 1.5" (need a new drum anyway for a fresh OD band), no idea what is in yours until you open it due to Ford using up parts at the end. Spiral snap ring on that OD/reverse drum and consider that mechanical diode upgrade too. This area will require picking and choosing items depending what all you do. As I recall the wider band requires the wider drum and a sungear shell, probably all found easily at places like WIT.

Good clutches, I like high energy from Alto. Decide if you want to upgrade to the extra intermediate clutch, may as well while in there as you change the pressure plate for more capacity then corresponding clutches/steels. You already have late direct drum, do steel plates if yours are not square or have hot spots. Low/rev band pretty much lasts forever, just clean and reuse unless burned. Mild shift kit, Transgo units are a bit more indepth for the AOD than Superior's. Nice stacked plate cooler, tons in the junkyards if you want to get one from there. Original OD servo is barely adequate at best for a truck, it is a 'B' code. I would do at least the 'A' code if you can find one (which is three pieces in total) or just go right to the Superior A+ unit. The A+ and the Transgo will shift nice and crisp, but not harsh. I just did that same setup last May in my pal's '89...he loves it.

I have not been inside one in years so unsure what is the latest and greatest, but that should get you started for a nice AOD.

I told this guy same here basically - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21260214

The truck is fine driving all over in D/third, just going to turn a bit more RPM for now. Big deal.

 

That’s awesome thank you so much. I’ve been watching videos all week and it is a little intimidating but I feel pretty confident based on what I’ve done before that I can make it work! Thanks for your help!