Transmission not shifting while in 4L?

So I've had my truck for about 2 months, and just now got to see some off-road time. Finally able to test out some of the 4WD capabilities...

In 4H - everything felt as it should, and I did not have issues.

In 4L - it felt as if the transmission would not shift out of 1st..? Now I'm no stranger to 4WDs. I have driven a Silverado many times in 4L. I also understand that 4L means extreme low gearing... That said, it seemed odd to me that the transmission wasn't shifting...? I didn't max out the RPMs to find out if it would shift eventually, but it just didn't feel right.

BTW - this is my first F150...is this common?

 

And before someone asks...

Yes - I DID shift it back into drive after being in neutral to shift into 4L

 

This is a normal condition for 4L on all 4wd vehicles.

 

Thanks

That seems strange to me, b/c I know the Silverado would shift up... Though, this is the only other vehicle that I've driven in 4L.

So are you saying that the only way I can get into second gear in 4L is to use manual mode?

 

No it's not. I can't comment on the 09+ f-150's but every ford truck ive owned including my 05 f-150 shifts through the gears in 4low. Perhaps it's different with the 6 speed trucks.

 

Something is not right with that, the trans should shift through the gears.

 

Thanks - I thought the tranny is supposed to shift while in 4L.

I'll get it back out to test / verify again. Perhaps I didn't get the RPMs up enough. I know there has to be a happy medium with how fast you're accelerating vs where your RPMs are at (i.e. flooring it will cause delayed shifting and higher RPMs...obviously). With this in mind, maybe I was a little too lead-footed for using 4L - and stopped before I hit the shift point....I'll have to check again.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Usually 4low raises shift points substantially. I haven't gotten fast enough to notice. I'll try to see.

 

I came from a silverado too and thought the 4low was messed up on the f150 but i think it is just geared differently.

 

Maybe you have to shift in manually? my 03 would shift into all gears in 4lo