I believe that the only ratios available with the manual now is the 4.10 and 4.30. I would opt for the 3.73 if it came with a manual. Yes, I do drink coffee and that will take some gettin' used to with the manual, but I'll manage. I'm not too concerned about resale as my current truck is 8 years old. It's not like I'll use it for 3-4 years and try to sell.

 

It has been my experience that they do. I have an 05 F250 with a 6spd/v10/4.10 combo, and the mileage increased steadily for about 6500 miles when it was new. I am now getting 13.5mpg or so on the highway unloaded/mildly loaded. 10.5-11.5mpg towing on the highway. Around town my mileage seems to be lower, around 11 unloaded, but this is probably because I am into the go-pedal a little too much. It has been my experience towing that keeping the revs up actually helps MPG versus luggin the motor down at all. Pulling some of the grades on I-80/81/84 out through PA, I kept the motor up around 3k in 5th gear (1:1), and she just pulled like an animal, like the trailer wasnt even behind me. It would have pulled the hills in OD without a problem, but it just felt and sounded better down in direct.

 

I have the 4.10 as it was the only way to get the limited slip when I ordered. Also, I have the automatic trans.

 

I have a 2002 F-250 Superduty 4x4 reg cab V-10 6-speed with 4.30 gears. It is a
XLT with every available option. I bought the truck as a leftover in 2004 with only
18 miles on it! I asked the dealer why it was there so long, and he said nobody
wanted a manual trans. I think manuals are very hard to get in any truck because very
few like to drive them. I personally would'nt drive anything else!

 

Amen to that

 

I never drove a truck with the Torqe-shift tranny,,but my 99' was a PSD with the auto,,,and I did'nt like the way it had a mind of it's own,,not locking up for like 2 miles when cold,,hit a hill with the trailer on,,and would,nt downshift in time,,to keep a good speed,,,hit the same hill when empty,,and it would downshift,,,ahhhhh,,the manual in the V-10 is perfect,,,power,,grab a gear when ya want it !

 

If you really want "rare", order that manual with 2wd, of course, re-sale would be thru the floor!

 

So, don't re-sell it. Keep it for 20 years.....

 

The 4R100 doesn't lockup until it's reached "operating temp" or some other preset temperature. Not a bad idea, really, letting the TC slip builds up heat faster, warming up the tranny quicker.

Your other comments are, however, spot on

If it wasn't for the wife, I would have gladly gotten a 6-speed - however, I still like the auto for the traction...

 

got it! drive it till it drops.

 

2WD with a manual and a V10 is as close to bulletproof as it gets. That's what I have and the only thing that holds a candle in my opinion would be an older 150/250 with the 4.9 inline six and a ZF 5-Speed. Drive 'em as long as you want to with basic maintenance. Too bad you can't get that anymore. I'm looking around for a decent used one as my son gets his license in Feb.

 

had a 90 f150 4x4 manual v8. problem was the dual fuel tanks. newer 250's have single tank. less parts to have trouble with. thats why the 2wd manual. looking for 10 years with only driveway maintenance.

 

I currently have 4WD and for the 2-3 times a year I engage it, it just isn't worth it. I definatly want 2wd, super cab, V10, manual, limited slip rear, XLT. I don't need anything else.

 

I have a 05 250 Super duty V10 torque shift auto 4X4 4.30 limited slip tow command the best truck I have driven. Power quiet and nice to drive. As for trannys your heavy equipment has autos in wheel loaders, dozers, scrapers the do build good heavy auto trannys for work and this tranny Ford has seems so far to handle this operation of the trucks. Time will tell but so far this tranny to me seems to a very good job compared to a manual trans.

 

You just need to learn how to shift that beast ,remember it ain't a gt mustang I have no problem shifting in a drag race