94 E150 with a inline 6 245,000 miles. Recently it has started to shift real hard from 1-2 shift. After that it shifts nice and smooth. The tranny doesnt slip at all and when put in gear it goes right in, no hesitations or anything. I do not know how the tranny has been serviced. The fluid is nice and red and doesnt smell burnt. Any sugestion's on what to do?

Id like to change the filter and add new fluid but i am scared to do it, ive heard bad stories when people do it they dont have a tranny anymore.

 

If a fluid change kills a tranny, it was ready to go bye-bye anyway.

 

I have no idea if this relates at all to a '94 E-150, but my '99 F-150 developed a late/hard 1-2 shift which turned out to be a broken 1-2 accumulator spring ($10 spring, easily replaced if you're at all handy w/ tools).

 

x2 that's actually a trick used to get a firmer shift from 1-2.... take the spring out of the accumulator.

 

Thanks guys i will check it out