A six speed Tranny doesnt meen it will always shift 6 times. It depends on the Load, Grade, Temp, Ect... It is computer controlled. This is 1 thing about the new Trannys. I will say that I wish it had a Higher Final drive ratio. I own an 06 250 superduty I have 4.10 axle ratio and it has a Torque shift 5 speed which is a 6 speed tranny at 70 with 17 inch tires I am around 20000 to 2100 Rpms. The computers also plays a prts in fuel economy because I put a soft cover on the bed and only had fuel economy increse the first few days , and same for the K&N I installed. The computer was flashed When I got the truck it was only getting around 8mpg after flash I am up to 12.88 mpg roughly. Just my 2 cents
I just wanted to point out that the new expys with a 6spd have a msrp of about 5k less than the older expys with the 4spd. that kinda disproves that they will be more expensive. as for service and repair im sure the 6spd will be more expensive tho.
2 speed trannys are great if you have enough engine that is in drag racing application but the little pea shooters of today dont have the torque and rpms just rpms Give me a 2 speed powerglide behind a 460 or 514 or an FE motor anyday
Arguing against more gears doesn't acknowledge the realities auto makers face with getting their fleet mileage numbers higher. The number of gears in the case of a automatic transmission does not impact its lifespan. Today's 4 and 5 speeds have longer life than than the 3 speeds of 20 years ago.
I have to go with you on that one. You are correct. And because of the 5 speed Tranny in the Super Duty . And it is a proven Tranny I will not be going back to a standard when I buy my next truck..
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00 F350 4x4 Power Stroke 6spd drw rack body 4.10
02 Explorer XLT 4X4 Red
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04 F250 4x4 5.4 6 spd pickup 3.73
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6 speeds- its to kep it in the sweet spot
thats what they do on motorcycles- 100hp-500/700 lb bike
if they had a larger sweet , it wouldn't be neccessary
if I go all the way back to 70's, and my yamaha 2 cycle, no dyno's were needed to spot the sweet spot
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"never threaten anyone- - - - it ruins the surprise"
85 f250sc 4x4 460
The fine for missing the CAFE regulation is $10,000 per 1/10 MPG miss, times EVERY VEHICLE SOLD THAT YEAR!
The fine is $5.50 per 1/10 MPG off times every vehicle sold. That's basically squat, and luxury car companies who don't make 4 cylinder sardine cans to get their average back up - BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, etc - pay it without complaint.
Bad press from the greenies is much more significant than a couple hundred bucks in in penalties on a $25,000 car.
The new 6-speed won't need new special tools to service.It's the same parts,just more of them.It does the same things as a 5-speed but it's done more efficiently.Cost probally won't go up very much if at all to fix them.
It won't need a new special filter or a new special transmission fluid.Once again,same parts just more of them.
And more moving parts equal better chance of something going wrong is well,wrong also.If you make sure you have trans fluid in it,there shouldn't be any problems.It's when you neglect the trans fluid you have problems,and it's the same with a two-speed transmission.
"how bout you spend less time using each gear so it'll last longer?"
-captin
I was under the impression that shifting does more damage to wear components like clutch packs, than spending time in a gear.
"Today's 4 and 5 speeds have longer life than than the 3 speeds of 20 years ago."
-webmaster
Thats because todays technology allows for the manufacture of better components. 4 speeds of today will likely out last 4 speeds of 20 years ago. Or maybe they won't.
"2 overdrives = better mileage"
-laketrout
I dissagree, my girl friend drives a 96' contor which only has a 3 speed tranny in it. for a car of its size it gets very good fuel economy (30 mph). and as for the six speeds keeping the RPM's in the sweet spot I beleive (correct me if im wrong) the the 4 speed in my 06' has clutching action between gears to keep the RPM's in a sweet spot.
People is all a marketing ploy, if your tranny has 6 speeds they can charge you several thousand more dollars up front for the truck. Then they can charge you more money for speical tools and filters and oils to service it. Then they can charge you more money to rebuild it because there will be 50% more parts. and don't forget it will be more complicated for do-it-your-selfers.
Don't get mad at me its just my opionion and I would love to hear more of yours!
Hey, then why don't we go to a 3 sp tranny and drop the power rating of the 5.4L to 250whp and 300 lb-ft and then it will last longer?
I have an 07 Expy and the 6sp tranny is awesome. The only thing that some may consider a minus is the fact that the truck must be at a complete stop before it will shift down to 1st gear. It does make me now come to a full stop at stop signs. As for cost there isn't much difference, look when the 5sp came out for the SDs, it was only a couple hundred more than the old 4sp.
My 02 Ranger Edge that I had was the 3.0 with the 5spd auto and that tranny was one of the only thing that made it fun to drive rpms stayed right in the sweet spot maybe a couple hundred rpm drop when shift
