I would gladly pay for a manual, infact ford could make them the same price as the auto. Right now its listed as a "forced" option with the price on the sticker anyway. So take the figure away and just charge the same for each truck, no matter what the tranny. I have had 5 of these crappy slush boxes. 05 for two 06 ford, an 08 ford and the 2012 dodge I have now. All suck in the way that they can not predict road conditions, they can only react after the fact. Hill, speed slows or pedal goes down, tranny down shifts. Same for passing, climbing, off-roading, hill decends, ALL OF IT. The other reason ford sold so few manuals is because they faded them out by only putting them in lower level trucks. The manual is for a guy who wants it for himself, not a work truck for his crew to drive. I have 6 tow trucks, I dont drive any of them...They are all autos, not buying a manual for the dip sticks to drive and tear up. Me for my personal truck, I would love a king ranch SRW longbed manual trans, manual hubs. LOVE IT!!! Ford dont make it, ford dont make the manual anymore, I have a dodge...It was nearly 9k cheaper!!! After all was said and done, and yes its auto, but thats because it was there, and my 6.0 was done, I was back to work the next day.

 

Actually, blame it on the public. The largest percentage of pickup trucks on the road are driven as pleasure vehicles rather than as work vehicles. Many people don't know how to drive a manual transmission. All I can say is you can replace several clutches for the cost of an automatic.

 

wow nice read!

 

I won't go so far as to say I hate auto x/missions but I dislike not being unable to choose a manual if I want, and particularly in a work vehicle.

 

When I lived in the US, I flew to Phoenix to buy my truck, because it was the closest one where I could find a stick-shift.

I will try wherever possible to avoid owning an automatic, and particularly if it is a truck, so yes, I would happily pay for the option... even if it is cheaper to produce.
Where I live now, any of the vehicles that compete with the SuperDuty (LandCruiser and Patrol chassis-cab's) are only available with a manual transmission.

 

Grew up on manuals and had landrovers, etc. when in the middle east... so I've been ther done that --- and IMHO, don't want to go back....

memories of heavy loads stopped on an uphill are NOT fond memories for me or the clutch/tranny

but to each his own - just good luck finding it as soon, no one will build it unless you do.

Stunned over the control with the new 6 speed auto with manual mode on the new 250!
and the 8 speed auto in the wife's Audi has basically a manual mode too,
so I can have it in any gear I want to lug or over rev the engine !!!

 

It may have been stated in an earlier post, but I believe the manual transmissions are on the way out, even for performance cars. What should be available in the Super Duty is a "paddle shifter" on the steering wheel that allows the driver to select any gear while driving.

When doing daily driving, you can allow the 6-speed Torqshift to operate as a normal automatic transmission. When towing, you can select the appropriate gear using the paddle shifter for optimal performance. This is the best of both worlds!

 

I love manual transmissions in general. I would drive any passenger car or performance truck with a manual, and in most cases I will not even consider a car because it does not come in a manual.

However, when it comes to HD trucks, I have no desire to own a manual. I use my truck to plow snow and I plan to tow a boat with it. While I have never plowed with a manual, I cannot imagine it is easy to launch a manual on snow and ice while trying to move heavy snow. I have tried pulling boats out of the water on steep launches with a manual before. It sucks, and with my old 2wd manual I had to set the parking brake and launch with it engaged. It was either that or roll back into the water.

Also, I am willing to bet a lot of the reasons for deleting the manual option besides the small number of buyers is the added engineering cost. Many of the advanced functions used in today's diesel engines for emissions, drivability and harshness are drivetrain dependent. So if they have a second transmission, then there is a second calibration that must be developed. And due to the nature of the manual, this calibration can be more time intensive.

 

For me, manual trans is the only way to go. Although I would not want to pay more for it, I would if available.
As stated before, the ONLY real draw back to a manual trans is having to utilise the E brake frequently. Even I don't fully trust mine. I usually turn the engine off and put in first. Iv never had any trouble starting on hills with trailers. That sounds like operator error.

I'm sorry but all other complaints having to do with manuals are simply cheap and cheesy.
Don't want to sound mean here, but there was a lot of whine to go with the cheese on some previous posts.

I do agree with the reasoning behind Ford discontinuing the manuals. I believe people have been getting more and more lazy.

 

ford guy, you are right no doubt. People are lazy, and Ford is only looking at their bottom line and not what the customer want. Most salesmen out there dont even know what we use the trucks for. here in FL I know of three dealers in particular that females in their 20's do the ordering from a Ford issued "dealer stock" guide. Trust me this is true because you can go from dealer to dealer and see almost the exact same thing, and the same color. I have had salesmen tell me things like camper package does not exist, and off road package is standard and you can only get a long bed if its a dually. This is the reason for this crap. Dealers order junk, and ford and the dealer has to discount the crap out of them to move them. I will not buy another ford unless they come back witht he manual. And not some sissy paddle shift video game garbage either. And yes operator error on the part where some one cant take off on a hill...or the vehicle was pulling WAY to much weight.

 

Let it go man... Time to move on and accept the fact that the manual is gone, go enjoy your Dodge. By the way, have you driven an '11+ SD yet? Lots of flexibility with the new transmission... Check it out if you haven't.

 

I'm always amused by these threads. If you look back over this one as an example, most of those who say they will never buy another Ford because there is no manual transmission, are driving older trucks that they bought used. Not everyone, but by far the majority. So for them, here is a clue - Ford doesn't care what you think because you don't buy their new trucks.

 

You must not have seen a 2011+ 6 speed then !

it's not a paddle shifter (which is too many working parts IMHO) but it is a + and - on the shift lever that allows selection and control of the 6 speed however you want (within reason )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTlrObOQ0_A

 

I understand why many want automatics. Still don't understand why they would ever quit making a manual option. Iv read every post here. Just still not convinced. I think its dumb.

 

this thread reminds me of the arguments of the early 90's when motorcycles were just getting fuel injection. most wanted the new technology for performance gains and fuel economy gains, but there were folks like you "old guys" that just couldnt believe they were doing away with carbs.

get over it! if you want a manual trans, buy a corvette you grey haired, slow poke, grumpy *******s!