Hey guys I have a 97 360 4x4 with an auto tranny. This truck has kinda been a work in progress since I got it over the summer and now I have it about 90% to where I want it.

Something that I noticed that I thought was kinda wierd is the way the tranny downshifts. I had another 97 with the same configuration that I bought new in 97 and kept until 02. When I would be on the highway going about 70-75 mph if I put it to the floor it would downshift and I would rev up to about 4000rpms and ride out the gear when it would shift again.

This one is different. If I hold it to the floor at about the same speed it seems to downshift two gears (probably down to 2nd gear) and it is sitting right about 5000 rpms, then it just about hits the rev limiter at ~5200rpms, shifts again (most likely into 3rd) and it will then ride out that gear and shift back to OD.

It seems strange that it drops down 2 gears to the point it red lines. Does anyone else have a similar thing going on or is there something not right with this tranny? Aside from this the tranny shifts perfectly and does not seem to be acting funny at all.

Thanks in advance!

 

Any chance your tranny is slipping from milage? Could be a TC problem too I would guess. I'd try to differentiate and see if it's one, the other, or both...LOL.

Fluid is good and up to the mark?

This is gonna sound stupid but, there were a lot of trucks that had their brake light switch installed improperly. Wrong plunger depth was all it amounted to...lol. Anyway, if that brake light switch is misadjusted, then the truck will shift erractically, although most of that is torque converter lock and unlock.

It's a long shot, but I can tell every time that my switch goes bad....LOL


Good luck.

 

The tranny fluid is full and in good condition. How can you tell if the plunger depth is correct or not? I would like to know so I can check it out. Aside from this the tranny is tight and strong. Never had it slip on me yet.

 

Have someone depress the brake pedal in small incriments. If the brake lights come on, barely touching the pedal, then the switch is misadjusted.


To make sure you are going into lockup, get on the highway again, get up to speed, and hold your right foot where it is, and lightly tap the brake pedal with your left foot. Not enough to apply brakes...........LOL. If you hear/see an increase in engine rpms, then I would think your tc circuit is working properly. After you tap the brake pedal, let it go and listen to hear if the tc locks back up. It's most noticable watching the tach, or listening to the shifts.

Good luck.

 

I have noticed that barely pressing the brake does disengage the converter as it should. When I have a moment I will double check the switch but I am going to guess it is properly adjusted since the converter locks and unlocks on the highway properly.

Thanks for your advice.