Hello I just bought a F-150 and I am seeming to have a problem with first gear in my truck.

I have a 1997 F150 V6 4.2L 151k miles with what looks like from what I have read on the boards here a 4R70w Tranny w/ Over Drive

From a standing start it seems like I am revving WAY past what seems to be the normal gear change. There are no jolts or pops or noises it just goes way up and then shifts. It seems to be pretty normal through the rest of the gears.

It also seems to have a slight delay from what I would imagine when shifting from reverse to drive. Though I have no basis for comparison other than my civic. Just seems a little unresponsive.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with me!

 

On my '99, I had a late 1-2 shift problem with the rest of the trans operating properly caused by a broken 1-2 accumulator spring. It's a cheap repair if you do it yourself. This might be your problem. Search the forum, there's several threads on this problem.

 

Being that it's a 97 it could be a couple of things. As mentioned, a broken 1-2 accumulator spring will cause a late or possibly very harsh shift into 2nd. Also, they used a spring and roller 'sprag' on the older 4R70W transmissions for the intermediate one way clutch. The new 'mechanical diode' intermediate one way clutch started showing up in 97 but wasn't standard until 98. A common problem with those old one way clutches is that a WOT 1-2 shift will be very late or hit the rev limiter. That problem won't as likely be a harsh shift as just a late or missing shift at WOT.

I hope it's just the spring because that is a cheap and easy fix. If you need help finding the spring and instructions on how to replace it message me and I can hook you up with some good info.

Good luck with it.
Darrin