Well I like that resolution better than the shuddering indicating a problem Thanks.

 

Changing out the trans fluid will usually cure torque shudder.

 

I would say that his shudder is not normal. I pulled my 6000 lbs boat all the way from California to Alabama with my F150 4.6 ltr and most of the trip it was done in OD. As a matter of fact my sweet little truck didn't even break a sweat, even though it was over a 100 degrees going through Arizona and Texas with the A/C on. But the truck shifted down into 3rd gear by itself whenever it needed to, going up a slight hill or so. If the climb was more pronounced I took it out of OD manually to avoid the tranny from shifting up and down all the time whenever the incline changed. But on the straight I drove for hours on end between 65-70 in OD and the A/C on without any problems and when the tranny had to shift down it was done rather smoothly.

 

I would not tow with any tranny that exhibits any kind of problem...what...so ...ever.

ever.

 

This is what you should do.


I tow a 5000 pound travel trailer in the summer and I would never use OD, ever. Let it rev a little and accept the fact you are not going to get great gas mileage towing.


Change your trans fluid. I use the Motorcraft Mercon V as I have read posts by trans rebuilders that this is the best choice for the 4R70W.


Get a trans cooler from the F250 Super Duty. It bolts right in. The factory F150 trans coolers for the 97-03's are tiny and hidden behind the front bumper so they get poor air flow.

 

Right lol. Nope!

Can't do that with any Ford 150 -350 for this gen. I know that hasn't changed lol. Reason why, -cooling ceilings right at 3rd gear by design. Cooler doesn't pump above 3rd. There enough residual affect from 3rd to cool OD under normal circumstances.... I wouldn't as much coast in OD pulling heavy, not a tow gear and you'll cook too much disc material away quickly. No material , clutch disks (2) slip/shudder, no grippage.

 

Since the discs are damage, what you don't want to do is flush or exchange fluid unless you know how to go about it. That would definitely be a mistake IF your fluid is healthy and it most likley is. There's a few ways to take care of that shudder.

I'm rounding 340,000 miles with my original transmission on the 98. I've learned how to manipulate these things lol. Pulled a car hauler for years in the past.

There's a lot to know. I'll help if I can, just ask.

 

I've owned 3 Ford vehicles in the last 6 years, no extreme racing or neutral bombs that I'm aware of. They've all had transmission replaced or rebuilt. 89k, 138k, 169k.

Borrowed time my friend, or the guy you bought it from had it reinforced with some alien technology.

 

I purchased the 98 new. Nah, you can get longevity out of them. You need an interest in it. I had one for awhile, knew some transmission guys over at TCCOA for a time who fed that interest well... long enough to learn something anyway. Enough to borrow lots of time and many more miles with my factory set-up. No denying that....I've had this truck just shy of 20 years now lol

 

227,000 here and no issues.
And I dont drive it like an 75 yr old man either

...I drive it like an 85 yr old man.