shifts hard

[89DANGERANGER]

1989 ranger
2.9 v6 automatic a40d
99k miles just installed it and has less than 500 miles on it. everything works fine except it shifts kinda hard from 1st to second and second to third. fourth gear or o.d is perfect no hard shift. checked vaccuum modulater and its got suction and no leaks. checked fluid its fine brand new fluid.
there is one problem, the cable that runs next to the shifter cable i have heard it called the "passenger" cable is not hooked up could that be a problem? because i tried it with andf without and it didnt make a difference.

any suggestions on the hard shift? only shifts hard when im in low rpms, if i get on it it is no so bad.

 

[Bruce]

That cable is the kick down cable or sometimes called passing gear cable. Sometimes on the end of vacuum modulator there is a little screw in there to adjust the shift feel..if there is a screw turn it out(counter clockwise) to soften the shifts.

You say you have suction on hose...how much suction...with a vacuum gauge there should be at least 16 inches of vacuum at idle(i think).