HI...
I am the proud owner of a "new" 1997 F-150..
4.6Ltr, 4x4, supercab, Automatic trans...

Here is my question:
When cruising along at 75 in Overdrive how far should it kick down when I really floor it to pass? (from OD to 3rd? into 2nd? or what?)

The reason I ask is that it feels to me as though it will step out of Overdrive but no farther.. So it really feels like it is bogging down especially up hill, is this normal?

Any thoughts?

-Peter

 

Welcome ! The answer will vary based on your gear ratio. In general, at 75mph in OD on hills, it should unlock the convertor at part throttle and at WOT kick into 3rd gear. A fully rapped out 2nd gear should shift into 3rd in the 70s, so your "75", is near the 2nd to 3rd WOT shift point. A 4X4 Supercab is a heavy configuration for a 4.6 to feel like a screamer.

 

thanks for the info.. I guess it's just not as powerful as I would have thought. Still and all I do love it..

 

You're Welcome. If you love it, that's all that counts. It sounds like a nice truck.

 

Another question: I used a door decal decoder and it turns out I have the 4R70W tranny. What exactly does this mean?

How does it differ from the E4OD?

Are there any known issues I should watch for?

-Peter

 

Hi again. They are 2 totally different transmissions. The 4R70W is a very capable transmission which is most common in 1997-2003 F-150s. Here's a good website that shows the evolution of both transmissions that you mentioned.
www.baumannengineering.com/pguide.htm

 

Peter,

Change the fluid and filter "regularly". Several posts on the subject may be found here.

It is a POC (Piece o' Cake) to do, so get your grubbies on and have fun! (I said it was easy, not necessarily neat.)

Use Mercon V fluid.