I have a 1999 f150 supercab 4x4 that shifts hard from first to second gear. I notice it more so when you take-off faster/give it more gas from a start. It shifts fine through all the other gears. I have had this problem since the day I had bought it used at 102,000 miles. Someone has told me that this is normal with the mileage and is common on the F150 trucks. My question is there something that can be done to correct this or is the tranny on it,s way out? PS. it is not slipping, just hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear.!

 

whoever had it could have put a shift kit in it... just a thought.

 

The 1-2 accumulator may have a weak or broken spring in it.....easy to find out and correct by any good tranny man.

 

Took it back to used dealership that I bought the Truck from and was told that this is normal and it is a truck. I don't know what everybody else thinks but i don't think this is normal. I think it is time to bring it to a Ford dealership or Transmission shop that specializes in this area. I know it is a truck but I don't think it was designed to do this "1st to 2nd hard shift". The transmission has not failed me but is just a annoying thing when taken off from a start. I know a lot of people take pride in their trucks and some use their trucks for everyday commuters. Just because it is a Truck does not mean this is normal in my opinion. My biggest concern is more serious problems down the long run if this is not corrected. What is your opinion? I know a couple of you guys have responded before this and I do appreciated it. Thanks! PS. The reason I took the Truck back to the used dealership is because I bought a extended warranty though them and was trying to give them the chance to correct it.

 

I'd bet it was a weak or broken accumulator spring, a shift kit or that's just the way they are. My truck has the 5.4 and can shift real fast from first to second if I get on it.

If you're convinced there is something wrong with it, have it looked at. Maybe you could toss the bill in the used car dealers lap. Maybe they'll pay it. I doubt it.

 

I wouldnt worry about it, when you buy performance programmers one of the things you can control is how hard the tranny shifts. It's a performance benefit for it to shift harder. If your truck is sluggish in the shifting then you have a serious problem, hard shifts dont hurt it.

My 2 cents

 

my truck shifts also hard from 1st into 2nd. brother I've got the same issue. But ive got 183,XXX. well worn. This is what i did. At first i didn't care because honestly, its a comfort thing then anything, your transmission shouldn't fail you. Its not slipping. Your fluid is crap most likely as for which mine was too. Go to auto zone, or discount, and grab a bottle of lucas transmission fix/additive (whatever its called). go ahead and dump that right down your dip stick. I only used one bottle but it said to use 2 if results aren't completely fixed. The only time i get my hard shifting back is if its 102 degrees plus in florid or im towing. Normal driving, it shifts like brand new. I'm considering purchasing another bottle, despite my transmission being overfilled enough as it is. (dont worry about your transmission fluid level, it wont hurt anything unless its too low). The bottle is around 11 bucks.

 

Yes my high mileage 93 f-150 also only shifts hard when it gets hot out. I can drive it all morning with no prob. But when it heats up I start getting hard shifting. Whats up with that? Ill have to try the lucus treatment.

 

i might check the u joints

 

I bought my 99 with 73,000 miles on it and it now has 215,000 and it has done the hard shift from 1st to second since I got it.