JoshT
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- January 15, 2011
- Messages
- 180
- Reaction score
- 93
- City, State
- Middle Georgia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1999 Ranger
I guess this is kind of going to be a chicken or egg, which came first type of thread.
We just got done with the AWD V8 swap into my 99 Ranger last week. Got some bugs to work out, but so far I'm liking it. I can already see a few things that will have to change though.
1) Speed limiter has got to go. After running the truck on a "closed course" I realized that the speed limiter kicks in right at 90 MPH cutting either ignition or fuel. I won't often have need to go that speed, but I know in areas of the state the normal interstate traffic can exceed that. I want ability to keep up with, get away from, or get out of the way of the other traffic. As such, it telling me that I can't keep up won't cut it, especially not when it's still pulling strong right up to that limiter. Also I don't like nanny features telling me what I can't do.
2) Transmission shifting has got to get better, it's way too lazy.
3) Speed limiter has got to go. Did I mention that already?
The donor vehicle for this swap was a 2000 Explorer 5.0L AWD. EDIT: 180K miles on donor odometer. History unknown. Transmission still had dipstick knockout plug lying in the pan. Fluid was not burnt. Trans shifted fine for 100 mile drive home in donor with no signs of slippage. No signs of slipage in the 100-150 miles I've put on it since swap (and I've been heavy on the throttle), just lazy shifting.
I used ForScan to wipe all previously learned data in the PCM, when programming the PATS module after swap. Considering the stuff I fixed during the swap, I wanted a fresh start from the Explorer it was in. I know some vehicles in this era already did some learning and adjusting of shifting. Do these do that? Can I expect shifting to improve as I put miles on the truck? Not get great, but atleast improve or adapt to my driving style?
I will probably be getting a tuner for the truck to get rid of the speed limiter, I know that they can also tweak shift points and stuff for the transmission.
A shift kit would probably improve shifting a lot, but I just put the transmission in and filled it. I don;t really want to spend that kind of money on a relative unknown, atleast not before I've put several (maybe thousand) miles on it.
Regarding are transmission, are tuning and shift kit independent improvements, or do they need to be done as a pair.?Can I get improved shifting from a tuner now and install a shift kit later, or do I really need to install the shift kit first so that it can be accounted for in the tuning?
I would assume that the shift kit would probably have the bigger improvement, but I'd like to be a little more confident in the condition of the transmission before putting that money into it.
We just got done with the AWD V8 swap into my 99 Ranger last week. Got some bugs to work out, but so far I'm liking it. I can already see a few things that will have to change though.
1) Speed limiter has got to go. After running the truck on a "closed course" I realized that the speed limiter kicks in right at 90 MPH cutting either ignition or fuel. I won't often have need to go that speed, but I know in areas of the state the normal interstate traffic can exceed that. I want ability to keep up with, get away from, or get out of the way of the other traffic. As such, it telling me that I can't keep up won't cut it, especially not when it's still pulling strong right up to that limiter. Also I don't like nanny features telling me what I can't do.
2) Transmission shifting has got to get better, it's way too lazy.
3) Speed limiter has got to go. Did I mention that already?
The donor vehicle for this swap was a 2000 Explorer 5.0L AWD. EDIT: 180K miles on donor odometer. History unknown. Transmission still had dipstick knockout plug lying in the pan. Fluid was not burnt. Trans shifted fine for 100 mile drive home in donor with no signs of slippage. No signs of slipage in the 100-150 miles I've put on it since swap (and I've been heavy on the throttle), just lazy shifting.
I used ForScan to wipe all previously learned data in the PCM, when programming the PATS module after swap. Considering the stuff I fixed during the swap, I wanted a fresh start from the Explorer it was in. I know some vehicles in this era already did some learning and adjusting of shifting. Do these do that? Can I expect shifting to improve as I put miles on the truck? Not get great, but atleast improve or adapt to my driving style?
I will probably be getting a tuner for the truck to get rid of the speed limiter, I know that they can also tweak shift points and stuff for the transmission.
A shift kit would probably improve shifting a lot, but I just put the transmission in and filled it. I don;t really want to spend that kind of money on a relative unknown, atleast not before I've put several (maybe thousand) miles on it.
Regarding are transmission, are tuning and shift kit independent improvements, or do they need to be done as a pair.?Can I get improved shifting from a tuner now and install a shift kit later, or do I really need to install the shift kit first so that it can be accounted for in the tuning?
I would assume that the shift kit would probably have the bigger improvement, but I'd like to be a little more confident in the condition of the transmission before putting that money into it.