There is a major difference between the 98 and 03 trucks - the 98 uses a gear-driven VSS, the 03 is all electronic. I don't have the exact details on how to make them compatible, but one of the tranny guys should be around to help. Do you have 2wd or 4wd?

 

Yeah, that could be a big problem. At some point before 04, many of the 2wd transmissions started coming out of the factory with no VSS drive gear on the output shaft. There was still a plug on the housing that could be removed and a VSS bolted in place, but if the output shaft doesn't have a drive gear then it's just going to sit there. You can tell by removing the VSS and sticking your finger in the hole to feel the output shaft. If it has a smooth surface and no drive gear then you're not going to be happy

This would exactly cause what you are experiencing. No easy fix. It has to come out and all the way apart to get an output shaft in it with a drive gear.

Easier to punt this transmission and get one with a drive gear.

D

 

2wd

 

well thanks , that's what I was scared of . This will be the 3rd tranny i put in. I brought a used one from a salvage yard he said it came out 02.

 

98 f150 2wd

 

The VSS went electronic in 99, so a 97 or 98 2wd are the only easy choices.