I've been a truck driver for years also, Before my current job, I owned and operated my own excavation company. I know what a pain it is to deal with a 13 speed in city traffic. The ZF6 shifts so smooth in comparison...

Great turn out on the votes! Keep em' coming!

 

I should add that there was a point where I believe manual trannys were superior. I would much rather a ZF-6 over a 4R100, for example. The old 4-speed boxes had such a tall 1st gear and so much space between gears that they were a real PITA towing.

The more modern 5- and 6-speeds don't suffer from that problem. This has changed a manual transmission from a probable benefit depending on application to a personal preference, since they don't really do anything better anymore.

 

I voted no. I tried the manual mode (I know it's not exactly the same thing, so don't flame me), but the new diesels have so much grunt they climb through the gears so fast, the auto would beat a manual. It was faster when i left it in Drive, than when i manually went through the gears.

 

More More ! Get Up And Vote !

 

I am getting old. Guess what I voted for.

 

While my '04 PSD torque shift automatic was the greatest auto i ever drove, I'm a stick shift guy. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Mainly because its fun, but also because of the NO MAINTENANCE on a stick. I know, I know...its not that much more money, but at the end of the day, over the lifetime of the truck, it adds up.

 

The 5r100 trans was a fantastic trans. It was every bit as good as the venerable Allison. The new trans is even better. It's reliability will need to be tested but Ford knows what it had to be better than.

 

I'd like to know what kind of Maint. you would do on an automatic. I have done none on my 05 142,xxx and 06 125,xxx miles.

 

1. The amount of ATF needed each time. - Much more than ZF6
2. The cost of the filter each time. - No filter on ZF6
3. The cost of the service if you have it done. - Varies, but always less on ZF6

 

absolutly not. i hate manuals. can drive them great just dont enjoy them. i'd be the kinda guy to buy a auto sports car lol

 

The first clutch you replace will pay for a lifetime of maintenance on the automatic. If you tow even moderate size loads, it is not if you will need a clutch replacement but when. My brother is a maintenance freak and his 99 F350 dually truly looks as good, inside and out, as the day he left the showroom with it. He has been through 2 clutches in 130000 miles. He tows very heavy. Not knocking the manual, just reporting the news.

 

1. Never needed any.
2. Never replaced it.
3. That means it hasn't cost a penny more or less then the ZF6!

Your "points" are not valid!

 

You might want to check your maintenance schedule. I believe on the 5R110 you're supposed to change the transmission fluid every 30k. If you've never changed it, then I'd say you're one lucky guy to still have working transmissions.

 

I want to divorice Dodge for warranty and dealer issues...
Truck eats first bucket of trans parts at 19000 then at 24000 starts to slip return to dealer "words from stupid f__k service manager It was 2 qts. low on fluid and has no problem." After returning home a few days later before leaving for vacation with boat !!!!! think I will test tran. with a load....22' trailer and a load GCVW was 14000. Going out to eat sounds like a nice trip. so about 10m mile on the highway it starts to slip and overheat so I limp it a few miles of the highway and drop the load. Drives alright unloaded so we go eat and head home to trade trucks to go get trailer.
Glad we stop and ate because truck makes it about 2 mile from home at which time I think it pluged trans filter and became undriveable. With my now full stomach and really hot head I think I will just walk home. So after getting the trailer and having the truck delivered to the dealer I call the on monday morningto inform the that the truck was in need of work. The service manager told me it would be about five days before they could work on it so not having many options I wait. So about the next tuesday I call "Stupid F__k" to ask about my truck He tells me they believe that their is a containment in the fluid. Like "all the moving parts of the trans?" no like the wrong oil. Well all the work on the truck has been done at the dealer the fluid level was corect when the truck went in the first time that they said it was 2 qts low. He now clames that it is over full and it is not a waranty issue because it is vandalism the truck went home in the garage and was drove about 30 mi their was no chance for vandalism. I am now in the process of having the fluid tested to check for vandalism.



Any way I do not want a automatic I want to shift the gears myself.
But with Ford and GMC that is not a option.
I think I am buying a 2011 F-350 as soon as I can.
With an auto

 

Wow, I need a translator. If you want a manual trans ,it will not be in a 2011 Ford Super Duty. The 2011 is available with an automatic only.