Hard shift into reverse auto 4.0 2wd

[machineguns]

I bought a used ranger high miles terminex truck that is immaculate given its miles. Ran fine first 10K miles now that I have just over 150K on it, its really shifting hard into reverse.

Does not do this after it has warmed up. It also is procrastinating shifting up until it has gone a 1/4 mile or so then its normal.

I replaced the fluid and filter first thing with no signs in the beginning or 10K miles ago.

I am seeing all sorts of things I read that could be the problem, but i'm unemployed and don't have the money to guess with parts.

I have this occasional sputter driving as well, like its out of gas then normal, my mileage is great 23 mpg on a 4.0 automatic.

I have seafoamed it (should have bought 10 lottery tickets......what a waste of money)
changed plugs, and coil (in hopes to eliminate sputtering occasionally)

my next guess is the TPS and thinking of getting a can of electric cleaner for the MAF too.

Like I said, the truck shifts very hard into reverse (ujoints are tight) and it doesn't do it after I have driven it a while

I'm inclined to believe its lacking fluid or something before it gets circulated or something........but the fluid level is high if nothing else.....its about 1/8 inch above the full, its hard to see even after I wipe it and pull it.....

I read the valve body gasket could be bad too........what should I be checking or would this be..........as its good after it runs a little bit, but my acceleration seems to be dropping off here this past week...almost like I have a very dirty air filter and I have a new one of those......?

Any clues........oh and it sounds like it doesn't have oil when I start up lately........but I'm changing it and it looks very clean when I check it.

Is this a lost cause or should I try to dump this before it gets to a point of no return?

 

[g_k50]

My service manual tells to check, inspect, and fix everything else that might be wrong first before checking, inspecting or trying to fix the transmission.

Take it to Ford and have them run the diagnostics on the transmission. You're sure to get the correct answer without alot of guessing. It's going to cost you, but less than you think and certainly less than guessing and replacing parts.

Now, the transmission stick has two holes in it. The fluid should be between these holes when cold and not running. After the fluid has reached operating temperature the fluid should be in the hatched area while the engine is running and the transmission in park.

I like to run my truck with overdrive off until I get up to highway speed then turn the overdrive on. I think that this prevents wear on the overband drive.