I accidentally hit the unsubscribe button. Just subscribing again

 

I really hope that the GM/Ford transmission has a granny low gear in the mix. Looking at the ZF 8 speed that is currently in Dodge/Chrysler vehicles it has something like a 4.51:1 first gear with a double OD, so I assume the 10 speed may have a granny low. It might end up being a better contender to the old manuals like the T18/19, Stuart-Muncie transmissions, ZF5/ZF6, NP435...a granny low I think is what autos have been missing for years.

 

The 3.5 EB uses the block from the previous cyclone engine family (3.5 Duratec). Same architecture used in Tarsus, Edge, Flex, Fusion and other transversely mounted mounted architectures. The 3.5 Duratec was originally designed with SPFI, EB applications have adapted DI to the 3.5 architecture.

This heritage part of the reasoning when longitudinally mounted in the F150 the 3.5 provides us with a super convenient oil filter location. Can't really get to it in from the back, nor the front. It's just there in the middle, just where someone wouldn't put it. Just one of the core fundamental attributes left over from the 3.5 Duratec.

 

I would not say that its a good location for an oil filter but I won't say its a bad spot. I worked on an 2012/13 (not sure which) F150 EcoBoost last week and did an oil change on it. It was a 4x4 (not FX4) and the skid plates underneath made it difficult to get to the oil pan plug. Having the truck on the drive on lift made it a bit harder to reach the oil filter in front the engine. Being up front and back a few inches makes it a bit of a PITA to get to IMO. If it was off say by the wheel well via remote oil filter kit or designed that way, it would probably be a bit easier.

But they need to for sure drop all the plastic BS covers on top of the engine. Its just more crap to take off to do spark plug/coil pack replacement. Other than appearance they are really just there to get in the way.

I do wonder what would the power figures be if they did a compound turbo setup vs the current TT setup? Small turbo to spool up a larger turbo (like the 6.4L PSD in a way)?

 

joemac, wow, you are completely correct. I was wrong.

 

The 6 speed already has a quite low first and double OD. I doubt the new transmission will be all that much lower. Current gear ratios are:
4.17, 2.34, 1.52, 1.14, 0.86, 0.69

 

I still don't get why they have to make a 10 speed transmission. Its doubtful the economy would be any better over an 8 speed or 6 speed. Going by the laws of diminishing return.

 

I agree, except I know nothing about them laws! I'm thinking if Ram 8 speed is working good for power and economy and not shifting too much, seems to me the more gears the more it might shift while driving up mountains or other situations. But, I don't know much. Except that I don't like too much shifting looking for best gear. If, if mind ye, the 8 speed is the good spot, maybe F150 should go with that. I reckon we just have to trust them engineer boys to get it right. But, they sure didn't get the spark plugs in earlier models, oil filter location as mentioned, some shuddering issues, and some Ecoboost issues right, so me confidence ain't at 100%.

 

Pretty much no matter what else you do (take weight off, adding extra gears, more aerodynamics) at some point you won't get any better mileage...pretty much it'll just be wasted money or it'll take too long to break even.

Everything seems to be rushed into production so that way they can say their vehicle can do this that and the other thing that your vehicle cannot do. I don't even know if they got the intercoolers fixed for the 3.5L yet (haven't looked into it) or any of the other things.

The only benefit I can see out of these new ones is extra gears for towing and getting up to speed much more smoothly over the older 4 and speeds, especially from a dead stop or going into an incline. Like I said before its essentially an old school 3 speed with a granny gear and a gear splitter all in one in an automatic form.

 

I would love for the 10 speed to be a normal 6 speed during normal driving but have a 6.something low gear and a 5.something second and a few mid gears to be used under certain loads or while in tow haul mode, similar to the 5r110w. This could make for a tow monster when needed and still act like a civilized tranny normally. Or maybe have a really low gear to use only in 4low to help in those house pulling situations

 

I just hope it won't be a problematic transmission since they have been working on it for over a year now and it'll be coming into the trucks in 2016 or 17...whatever 18 months from this December is.

 

Chrysler has rated the Jeep Cherokee as being able to achieve 31 MPG's. The Ram 1500 gasser is already rated at 25 and the oil burner will be rated at 28.

Having more gears will enable Ford to use a numerically lower rear axle ratio and apply the same or better capability to the ground as they are with the ZF6 or 6R80 as we know it.

Anyone here remember going from a single speed bike to a 3 speed than to a 10 speed?

 

That the oil burner Jeep Cherokee or the gas burner mpg? I have yet to see any commercials for the diesel 1500. Seen one or two for the diesel Cherokee but that was more or less advertising by Mythbusters.

 

New 10 speed has a slightly wider gear spread.

What you get in return is: 1 ring gear choice that give your MAX towing and MAX fuel economy all in one truck.

Wouldn't surprise me if the ratios were something like 4.88, 3.88, 2.88, 1.88 1.52, 1.18, 1.00, 0.88, 0.72, 0.60

3:55 ring gear with the tow/haul function locking out the top three.

 

That is what Ford needed to do from the beginning.

Imagine a 6.2 Ecoboosted Raptor