Been following the "first tow" thread and the great news that the 1714 programmer helps the throttle response issues. Now my question, does the programmer also allow you to select first or second gear manually to pull up a long grade. When we tow our camping trailer in the CA Sierra mountains I would like to pull down to second and let the truck climb at 2500-3000 rpm under a light throttle instead of having to force a downshift in drive only to have trans upshift again when I ease off for a turn or ? The electronic trans controls reduce the available power so much in second gear I can't use it. Does the programmer allow 1st and 2nd to work like the older auto trans did?
thanks

 

Speaking of the 1714; would it be better for me to put an exhaust on first - then tune, or tune first and put an exhaust on later? Or does it even matter at all? Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I thought someone answering the towing question may know this one as well.

 

Jeeperz - I'm 95% sure the tuner does not allow you to select any gear manually like you described. That's what the '2' and '1' on the shifter are for. A quick call to superchips or Troyer perf can confirm this.

dallasdave - your choice on what your gonna do first. However, when you DO get the exhaust, get an intake at or nearby the same time for maximum gains. If it can't breath in the air, what good is getting in out faster?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dzervit
[B]Jeeperz - I'm 95% sure the tuner does not allow you to select any gear manually like you described. That's what the '2' and '1' on the shifter are for. A quick call to superchips or Troyer perf can confirm this.

Now I've done some towing in the mountains here in California too. Maybe I don't understand Jeeperz question but if I needed to lock the trans into 1 or 2 I just do it manually just like dzervit said. Its a lot better than letting the trans bounce between gears. Hmmm.... maybe Jeeperz can illuminate this a little better for me.

After re-reading Jeeperz question I believe he is concerned about how the 1714 changes the trans. It does not change the fact that you have manual control just as it has originally. I believe shift point and firmness are the things that can be changed. So you still have complete control of locking it in the gear of your choice.

 

Don't forget the tuner also has a program specificly for towing! It handles the shift points and firmness differently I'm sure. Your not supposed to tow with the max performance tune. I highly reccommend calling superchips or Troyer and discuss your towing needs.

 

thanks for the replys and let me try to clarify....
When towing (or not) if I select 2nd gear on the shifter the engine has greatly reduced power available. Try dropping the shifter to 2nd gear getting on the highway and you will see what I mean. Because of this I have to leave the gear selector in drive and force a downshift by adding throttle. Then as soon as I reduce throttle the trans upshifts. Worst case was towing up some slow switchbacks where I could keep it in a low gear with throttle but as soon as I reached the next sharp turn and let off the gas I was back in drive only to have to downshift with thottle after the turn. If I could just leave it in 2nd gear (if max power was available) it would be much easier on the engine and trans.
Hope that help clears up my question! Hard to explain with fingers typing, ha!

 

Alrighty then....

You don't reduce power by hanging in 1/2/3/4 gear! First, you have 365 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 RPM. You WANT a lower gear to power up those hills, as you want to stay in the powerband where the torque is at. At the same time, you don't want to slam it in 2nd at highway speeds and have the engine screaming like a banshee near its 5200 RPM redline. The throttle by wire setup is designed to deliver maximum low-end torque for pulling, and usually they shift when you mash the gas (is, going up a hill) and downshift when you let off the throttle.

Anywho, I honestly think you REALLY need to call Troyer or superchips to discuss. You can also post in the 'Chips' forum, as Mike 'The Chip Man' Troyer hangs out and replies at a decent clip.

 

i think he means being in second on your shifter while gettinh up to speed. i have the same issue with towing my boat up to big bear i wish it wouldnt have 2 drop to first to pick up speed. even for mild acceleration it dropped to 1st. and my truck wouldnt go any higher than 3k on the tech while going up hill with a boat. so i was stuck holding traffic at 45mph. and you know pulling over up hill is stupid cause you have 2 get back up 2 speed again.
i wonder if this tuner will fix this issue and i wonder if anyone eles has faced the problem with trying to go faster than 45mph or 3k up hill with tow.

 

I've towed my car three times to the track with my FX4, the first one without the 1714, the second and third with the performance-tow 1714 settings. The trailer and car weigh around 4500 to 5000 lbs. I’m not sure I can even call them hills, but I travel through some ups and downs. One thing I noticed was that before the 1714, I had to keep my truck out of OD because it would constantly shift up and down. After the 1714, it would stay in OD, with only the occasional downshift when I’m passing. Now I do have a lead foot and stay around 80 to 85 mph, if not more. Anyway, just my experience.

One strange thing I’ve noticed is that when by accident, when I have it in 2nd (instead of D), the truck actually starts in second (really sluggish). I’m not sure if all vehicles do this, but most of the cars I’ve owned, would start in 1st and only go up to 2nd.

I’ve finally added some pics in my profile, one with the trailer and car, so you can see my payload.
My Gallery

George

 

I wonder if Ford has the PCM programmed so that if you manually select 2nd gear that the engine can not exceed a certain RPM???

 

My guess is they do have it governed somehow in second and first. I had dropped mine in second also by accident thinking it was in drive and I hammered it. Boy, what a dog it was.

 

From what i know all ford trucks are like this, 1st is only first; 2nd is only second; D is first, second, thrid; OD is first, second, thrid, fourth gears.

Read in your owners manual it explains why.

 

Owwhhh, come on, tell me. I'll be looking in the manual all day.

George

 

2nd gear starts in second for times of greatly decreased traction; i.e. starting from a stop on ice/mud/wet conditions. having the truck bog down when first hitting the gas will actually prevent the weels from spinning.

 

Thanks.