I was washing my truck today, and took it for a spin around the block. About one mile away, I noticed the truck started shifting really hard. I gave it some gas and the tires chirped second gear. I cruised another mile or so and it was still shifting hard in all gears at light/heavy throttle.
I pulled up in my driveway, checked the tranny fluid and all is well. So, took it for a spin and the truck was shifting smooth again...?? I'm about to drive it again, but just wondering if anyone ever had this problem before?? My truck is a 2001L stock, never had pulley, chip, etc.. And I have just under 6000 miles.

 

Mine at times will also shift harder or softer. Dont know why. It seems to shift harder when I first pull out and start driving, after it warms up, it starts shifting normal.

 

Speaking of trannys.I had 4 different in my 00 and none of them ever shifted as firm as my stock 02.My truck shifts just as hard as anyone of my chipped trucks and its bone stock.I love it.I finally got the tranny i deserve.I had to pay another 30k for it though

Even if I did a chip,I would NOT change anything to do with shifting.Thats how happy I am!

 

I definately have to agree, that I love the shift quality on my 02 Lightning. It's not downright harsh, but it definately has a very positive feel to it which just downright feels good. It has by far the best shift quality of any of the Ford's i've driven to date with an automatic.

 

I just drove it a few more miles and its back to its mushy stock shifting...

 

Could be a sticky modulator boost valve, it ussually works itself loose, if the problem continues take it to the dealer. If you replace the accumulator it'll prolly fix it. If the O/D off light starts flashing it's written an error code your dealer can see, may have written a code anyhow, they can check it.

G

 

Greg I got 2 ?'s for you.

1. You're shift kit can it be taken out if needed for warranty?
2. I remeber something about bad tranny codes? build dates? could you tell me if I have a good one?

 

Get this.... my tranny shifts noticably harder when I am running the A/C. I have no idea why that would make a difference, but it definately does.

 

Thanks G, for the info.

 

One is not really bad as opposed to the other, but the original '01 design was the 1J, it has the mechanical diode. The 5X is the reversion to the previous design with the sprag. The 5X is the more desirable one to have.

The ID tag is on the case, just forward of the extension housing on the driver's side. The date of the change was 3-17-01 I think.

G