Question for the Mad Dr.

[orygunf150]

Or for the Mad Dr. Jr. (that would be you Jack and Janet)... You know how our trucks reduce power when you manually shift to 2nd or 1st? Can that be programmed to go away with a custom tune? It's really annoying. Is there any other way to override this feature?

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by orygunf150

Or for the Mad Dr. Jr. (that would be you Jack and Janet)... You know how our trucks reduce power when you manually shift to 2nd or 1st? Can that be programmed to go away with a custom tune? It's really annoying. Is there any other way to override this feature?

I don't understand what you're asking here. Are you talking about the "lurch" down that you feel when you downshift using the lever, but haven't increased the gas yet? I know, with a manual, it's easy to feed in the gas full as you let out on the clutch after a downshift so that the power is immediate, but it's not so easy to time it right with an automatic. I can't imagine there'd be any way to eliminate the lurch, but, maybe I'm wrong.

I think though, you could force a 3-2 downshift by stepping on the gas and then, once it's in the new gear, just drop the shifter into 2nd to keep it there. That would avoid any loss of power.

And, you could do the same thing from 2-1.

Oh, and thanks for the "Jr" title. It feels like an honor (totally undeserved).

- Jack

[TA2Dsailor]

I think hes talking about when you put it in 2nd or 1st from a dead stop it is not as responsive compared to D.

[RED4]

Originally Posted by TA2Dsailor

I think hes talking about when you put it in 2nd or 1st from a dead stop it is not as responsive compared to D.

If you put it in 2nd gear, it stays in 2nd gear...all the time. That includes when you start from a dead stop.

[TA2Dsailor]

Originally Posted by RED4

If you put it in 2nd gear, it stays in 2nd gear...all the time. That includes when you start from a dead stop.

I know. I think he was wondering if you could customize one gear.

[88Racing]

When it is put into any other gear than d, an electric bypass of the fluid in the transmission happens. It rather an extensive technical issue the way the tranny is set up like this. My understanding is that it allows for more continuous power with out allowing the torque convertor to lock up at all. It operates like an old power glide at this point.

They probably did this so if you are probably stuck. Its easier on the tranny and power train. I really don't think they engineered it to be used this way on hard surfaced roads.

When in 2nd mine does shift up from 1st.

Lars

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by 88Racing

When it is put into any other gear than d, an electric bypass of the fluid in the transmission happens. It rather an extensive technical issue the way the tranny is set up like this. My understanding is that it allows for more continuous power with out allowing the torque convertor to lock up at all. It operates like an old power glide at this point.

They probably did this so if you are probably stuck. Its easier on the tranny and power train. I really don't think they engineered it to be used this way on hard surfaced roads.

When in 2nd mine does shift up from 1st.

Lars

It's useful in an uphill climb where the power requirements keep causing a shift in and out of 3rd to 2nd. Better just to stay in 2nd. I would not have thought though, that the converter would not lock if the power demand stabilized. I'll have to test this. If it doesn't lock, why do we have lock/unlock adjustments for 1st and 2nd gears?

I think you're right about shifting up from 1st into 2nd though if the stick is put in the 2nd gear position. But again, I need to try this to see for sure. If so, it's too bad, since it keeps you from using the old start in 2nd trick to keep from losing traction on very slippery surfaces.

- Jack

[98infinity]

Originally Posted by RED4

If you put it in 2nd gear, it stays in 2nd gear...all the time. That includes when you start from a dead stop.

That is incorrect, I hate when people correct me but if in 2nd gear it will shift from 1st to 2nd and back down. In 1st it will not shift up to 2nd.

[TA2Dsailor]

Originally Posted by 98infinity

That is incorrect, I hate when people correct me but if in 2nd gear it will shift from 1st to 2nd and back down. In 1st it will not shift up to 2nd.

I guess my trans is messed up then. If I place mine in 2nd it stays. No down shift no upshift.

[orygunf150]

Originally Posted by TA2Dsailor

I think hes talking about when you put it in 2nd or 1st from a dead stop it is not as responsive compared to D.

Yes, thats what I'm talking about. I read somewhere that it designed to be used in slippery conditions or when pulling a boat out of the water to reduce tire spinnage (i dont think spinnage is a real word but it sounds good, opposite of spinnage would be grippage) Anyway, I notice a big reduction in power if I manually take off in 2nd or 1st. Try this next time you hop in the pickup, shift to 2nd and accelerate, then shift up to D. To me it feels real sluggish until I upshift, then the power comes back. I'll have to check the comm gear to see if it's going back to first, but I dont think thats it. I'm wondering if that can be programmed to go away. Incendentally, all four of my Fords (05f150, 88f250, 87motorhome, 67 Mustang) will start and stay in 2nd if manually shifted there. None of them will start in 1st when starting out manually shifted to 2nd. Sorry for the longwindedness.