97 F150 4x4 4.6 Tritan V8: Automatic Tranny 130,000 miles on the engine and tranny

There is hardly any power in 2nd gear if manually put there. At 45 mph, as it shifts to the next gear, there is a shimmy/vibration. At 50-55 mph when starting up a hill it will shift into od before dropping into 3rd to climb. It tends to run at 1500 rpm, shifting often between OD and (4th?) It always feels like it is slipping between shifts. never a solid shift. The engine seems very strong but I'm loosing power from the tranny. I think.
Where do I go from here?

What Transmission do I have in this truck?

What should I expect it cost for a rebuild?

What is a cheapest and smartest way to get this running strong again?

 

4R70W.

I'd guess about $2000-$2500.

Change the trans fluid.

When you say it doesn't have power in 2, at what speed? If you start in 2 it stays in second gear, it doesn't start in 1 and then shift to 2. That will feel like it is down on power.

The shudder is probably worn out fluid. This is how I change mine:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...nsmission.html

 

No power in second tells me you have a problem beyond fluid. The cheapest way to fix the truck is to find someone who knows how to swap a late model transmission into it. I wouldn't even bother rebuilding that heap of early transmission they just aren't worth the effort. Ford made ton's of important changes in 98 and more in 99 and then even more in 02. The 02 unit is what I would suggest, but you will have to change some wiring around to use it.
Alan

 

I guess I wasn't too smart in the second gear question. There is plenty of power in 2nd if I don't start from a compete stop. Make since when you expain it like that. Duh! Thanks for the advice. I dropped my pan, replaced the filter and cleaned the magnet at 120,000 miles. But I never drained the torque converter or pump any extra fluid like the article said. You think I would expect to see a difference if I totally replace all fluid?

 

Yes, I think you would see a change. I sounds like you are starting to get torque converter clutch shudder. If you change the fluid soon enough it might not destroy the torque converter. If you wait, it will.