I know you have 5 Star but MPT specifically states in every tune they have sent me over the years to drive the truck "nicely" for 50-100 miles so that the transmission can relearn everything. This I can only assume would help in avoiding the harsh feeling of up or down shifts as it learns everything before you start pushing the pedal down a little further

 

I drive the crap out of mine as soon as I put the tune on. I prefer firmer shifts so I think that helps, but even doing that I have only experienced a super hard downshift once and that was right after putting my 93 performance/tow tune on and towing my bronco immediately afterwards.

I'd keep driving it a bit more and I'm sure the transmission will learn to shift the way you want it to. Can always reset the KAM (keep alive memory) and try again if it doesn't get better. Worst case scenario you'll have to data log and send it in to 5 star and have them take a look at it all.

 

I think he's talking about the downshift it does at a cruise when your speed slows down to 40. You can feel the that you're in a lower gear as it bumps rpm. Not talking about a commanded downshift when you step on the gas and want the truck to move.

 

Yes this exactly. No issue with a command down shift, those are fast and crisp. Just the slowing down downshift as it moves from 5th to 4th. It is also noticeable from 6 to 5 but not as jerky. Before the tune these downshift were seamless.

 

I installed % star's 93 PT tune on my RCSB 5.0 2 days ago, and it's quite noticeable. I would expect 87 tune won't be as good, so I haven't tried it yet. This tune will often bark second pretty hard. I haven't tried the 93 race tune (super firm shifts) either. So far, I'm impressed. Mine feels like a high 13 second truck now, instead of 14.3-14.5.

 

Drive it some more, I bet it gets better. My downshifts are firm but not over bearing. Only once have I had my downshifts be extremely aggressive and that was when I was towing my bronco like mentioned before. I bet it gets better, if it doesn't stick your SCT back on there and clear your kam.