Please be patient with a newbie: I've got what's probably a stupid question.

I bought a '99 F-150 2WD with the 4.2L V6 (mistake) and automatic transmission with LSD. Since new, I've been unhappy with the shift points, but here's the odd thing: I feel four distinct shift points when accelerating, which seems to make my 4-speed automatic a 5-speed! Most of my driving is in town around 45mph - 50mph. At that speed, the transmission's just shifted out of third. The engine races some, then goes through *two* very fast drops and ends up underpowered. (Think I'm dumb, right?) The OD lockout locks out *two* shift points, too: I can lightly goose the thing and it'll drop down one notch, or I can goose it harder and it'll drop two: the OD lockout goes to the latter immediately. The truck would be comfortable if the OD locked out just the one setting, but since it catches both it's a little strained when I get up to around 55mph.

Does this make any sense at all?

Thanks for any help, folks.

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Jim

 

That's exactly right. You are feeling the torque convertor lock-up. So the "two shifts" are really the tranny the tranny going into 4th (od) then the convertor locking up. You will either unlock it or downshift to third depending on how much gas you give it.

The O/D setup sucks IMO. And it sucks even with the 5.4L. It always wants to run at less than 1500 rpm around 40 mph, hell it's a OHC engine, not a big block. I just turn O/D off unless I'm on the highway. I tried to see if a Superchip could default the O/D to off but Mike T. just said he wouldn't want that on his car and never really would say if they could or couldn't do it.

If you pay attention, you can feel the torque convertor locking up in other gears as well. It's just most pronounced in 4th.

You'll get better mileage with it locked and the tranny will stay cooler too.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

My Home Page

 

hey! getting a 4.2 is'nt a mistake at all!! getting a 2wd is


get a chip, it makes the trans shift much better and that stupid "low" shift will be much less noticeable as compared to the "kick" your trans will have..

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Green and Brown
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L 4X4
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)

MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust

What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover, Tinted Rear Window
TBS, Jacobs ignition system

 

This is normal operation, meant to be that way. The Superchip stops top of second gear lock up. The factory setup locks 2nd,3rd, and 4th (in my trans). My truck feels like it would be happier if it shifted into 4th much later as well as the 4th lockup. The chip's firmness increase is nice, but for me it's gonna be a shift kit later. My opinion only, Good Luck !!

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

Thanks everybody for your replies. The information is very helpful.

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Jim