2003 FORD SUPER DUTY transmission

Vehicles with a higher center of gravitysuch as utilityand
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differentlythan vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars anymore
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorilyunder
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslycould result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injuryand death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the waythe vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
4WD Systems
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode), uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On 4WD
vehicles, the transfer case allows
you to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case
operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDriving
chapter. Information on transfer
case maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughlyfamiliar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentaryclunk and ratcheting
Driving
119

sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to speed and the
automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, tryto keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadilythrough the terrain. Applythe accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capabilitymaybe limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle maystall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectivelyas drybrakes. Drying can be improved bymoving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, applythe accelerator slowlyand avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
Driving
120

Each daybefore you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires, and adjust if
required. Check tire pressure with a
tire gauge everyfew weeks
(including spare). Safe operation
requires tires that are neither
underinflated nor a vehicle which is
overloaded.
Periodicallyinspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that maybe wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that maypermit air leakage from the tire and make necessary
repairs.
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected
in case it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide both reasonablysafe, predictable performance
whether loaded or emptyand durable load carrying capability. For this
reason, Ford Motor Companystronglyrecommends that you do not make
modifications such as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or
stabilizer bars) or byusing replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factoryequipment.
Anymodifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravitycan make
it more likelythe vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Companyrecommends that caution be used with anyvehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properlymayvoid the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adverselyaffect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavyoff-road usage.
POWER TAKE OFF (PTO) CAPABILITY (IF EQUIPPED)
Some vehicles maybe equipped with Power Take Off (PTO) capability.
These vehicles have a special transmission case, internal components and
calibration for PTO usage.
Driving
124

The PTO can be used during mobile and stationary
continuous/intermittent applications.
PTO operation is disabled while the vehicle is in Overdrive (the TCIL will
not be illuminated), in N (Neutral), during engine cranking. Transmission
upshift and downshift schedules will be reduced byabout 15% and will
have a firmer shift feel during PTO mobile applications.
The PTO cannot be disabled while the transmission is in D (Drive)
(Overdrive position with Overdrive canceled), 2 (Second) or 1 (First).
Refer to theBody Builder’s Layout Bookfor recommended electrical
installation.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowlyespeciallyif the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capabilitymaybe limited
and your vehicle maystall. Water mayalso enter your engine’s air intake
and severelydamage your engine.
Once through the water, always drythe brakes bymoving your vehicle
slowlywhile applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quicklyas drybrakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including anystandard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum allowable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
Driving
125

•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
SafetyCertification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum allowable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
•Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined bysubtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, anyrequired option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
•Maximum Trailer Weight:Maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle, including occupants and cargo, is permitted to tow. It is
determined bysubtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
•Trailer Weight Range:Specified range of trailer weight from zero to
the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
The SafetyCertification Label, located on the driver’s door pillar, lists
vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding anyadditional equipment,
refer to these limitations.
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment is
within the weight limitations, including both gross vehicle weight and
front and rear gross axle weight rating limits.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, and/or personal injury.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because theymaylower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Driving
126

Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles mayhandle differentlythan unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavilyloaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people mayraise the center of gravityof the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take your
vehicle to a shipping companyor an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle maytow a Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth wheel trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the
following charts.
2nd unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings. The
weight of the additional “body” must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Your vehicle’s load capacityis designated byweight, not byvolume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefullyprior to and after anytowing operation. The
following trailer towing charts applyto vehicles equipped with gasoline
engines; for Diesel engines, refer to the7.3 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Supplement.
Driving
127

Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
F-250 Regular Cab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3583 (7900)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4264 (9400)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4899 (10800)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with fifth
wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6486 (14300)
4x2 with automatictransmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3629 (8000)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 5171 (11400)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with fifth
wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6532 (14400)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3357 (7400)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4037 (8900)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4672 (10300)
Driving
128

F-250 Regular Cab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with fifth
wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6260 (13800)
4x4 with automatictransmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3402 (7500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4944 (10900)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with fifth
wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6305 (13900)
F-250 SuperCab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3402 (7500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4717 (10400)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with fifth
wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6305 (13900)
4x2 with automatictransmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3402 (7500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4944 (10900)
6.8L (without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
Driving
129