I have a 04' super crew 4x4 with 63k miles. I was driving home from Ohio and I noticed when going up a hill the truck would downshift and I would get a rumble like I was going over a speed strip it seems to happen at low rpm's (1400-1600) and under load not going straight and level or downhill. Once I selected O/D off it didn't happen again. I also get a stuttering or shuddering when I pull out slowly while towing my boat up a small incline. I have read that it could be the coils but I also read other people were having problems with the torque converter. It dosen't happen all the time but if I am going up a hill and force the truck to downshift I can get it to shudder. I have an appt at the dealer for monday and I am hoping someone here can help me out. Any and all help is appreciated.

 

Have you ever done a tranny fluid exchange? 63k is about time to do it.

 

I fiddled around with several tranmission fluid flushes and a bunch of aftermarket additives that were supposed to deal with this shudder issue without success.

Only when I changed out all 8 COPs and plugs did the shudder dissappear.

It's been 80,000 miles since, without a sign of a shudder, and I fully expect it to start again any time now due to normal wear and tear. Oh, I almost forgot, the mechanic that did my 100,000 tune up put in Champions and they were probably 75 % of the problem. Spend the money for Motorcraft plugs and keep on trucking. Save the Champions for your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower motor.

Pyzon

 

I have a 2000 F-150 with the 5.4 and had the exact same problem last year. The service engine light came on so I hooked it up to my friends computer and it read that it was a misfire on one of the cylinders. So i replaced all of the spark plug boots and plugs, and problem solved. The boots were becoming stretched which was allowing moisture to get in there and cause the problems.

 

I am having this SAME exact problem with my truck. I just bought a 2004 FX4Super Crew, and just took the 20" Pirellis off of it and put on some 305/55/20 Terra grapplers. I thought it may be because of the tires, but Im guessing its not. Also, what are COPS?

 

Coils. One on top of each spark plug. COP = Coil On Plug.

 

I'm having very similar symptoms. My '05 is sitting at 75,000 miles and it's recently started 'shuddering' as well. The rumble strip comparison is a pretty good one. Mine seems do be more apt to do it uphill, or when it's still cold.

Also, mine seems to be having difficulty deciding when to shift gears. It often stays in neutral for a few seconds after the RPM's have gone up considerably when accelerating form a stop. It occasionally has this problem between other gears as well.

So...what is the diagnosis? Torque Converter? Or would this be two separate issues...a new torque converter and new plugs and COP's would resolve?

I had planned to take it to a friends house tomorrow to flush the tranny. Should I hold off if it's the torque converter? I'd hate to waste that much ATF? (BTW, is the Autozone brand ATF mercon V stuff satisfactory?)

 

One tie I had the same issue and it was a bad COP and another I changed the transmission filter. Both felt the same but the COP had a code. At that milage it would not hurt to do the filter.
Check out this site under common problems they seem to have answers

http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/transmission/

everything may not apply due to model but its good reading

 

Can you give us an update on what the dealer said.

 

Well sorry it took me so long to get back with my solution. I took it down and had the tranny and rearend flushed and refilled and the shudder went away. I haven't been able to duplicate it since. I will probably replace the coils and sparkplugs after the holidays although I am nervous about doing it. I have heard some nightmare stories of guys breaking the sparkplugs especially the back one which is hard to get to. I understand most guys are using motorcraft, any feed back is appreciated. Again thanks for the help GLC. You just gotta love these forums, but I bet the dealers hate them.

Cheers
Dan