Thanks....shifting into 1st does help with the acceleration.
I was also told today that it could possibly be one of the two speed sensors in the transmission.
I don't have a code checker but will probably pick one up soon since the two places I went to today couldn't check the codes because there are too many newer trucks out there now and no one has the "old style" plug-in
Another couple things I've noticed is the "check gauges" light comes and goes. It generally is on when I'm stopped but goes off once I start driving. I only noticed this a couple nights ago since typically my view of it is blocked by the steering wheel so I don't know if it's always been doing it or not.
The other thing is my engine RPMs go up and down. Typical idle speed in gear is 600 RPM and 800 idling out of gear. Every couple seconds the RPMs drop by 100 and then go up 200 before going back to normall (ie. idle at 600 at a stoplight then drops to 500 then goes up to 700 before returning to 600) . Just FYI, I'm pretty sure 600 RPM is low but it's been like that since I bought the truck and never posed any problem.