Im currently looking for a ford to replace my P.O.S. Chevy 2500 Duracrap. this is a link to the one im looking at: Details of Used 2000 Ford F350, South Bend, IN - Yahoo! Autos

I want a manual, because my chevys transmission (The all-mighty Allison 5spd Auto) wont shift into OD until it has been running in 5th for a while, causing my fuel economy to be around 13mpg trying to go 55mph, and the 5spd Allison has a 2000rpm speed of 65... but a friend of mine keeps telling me that because of my knee problem, i can't drive a manual i. e. i have a bad clutch knee. Part of my problem is because i am so tall, 6'6 3/4" to be exact. I need the powered seat of the ford and with that i almost cant reach the pedals. The whole reason for the post is to ask: Is the Clutch a hydraulic assist, and how hard is it to press and release the clutch? Also: Can you start in second gear for, say, going around town? I am use to a 1985 GMC C30 454 with a 3spd, which has an extremely heavy clutch. thats the only manual i have ever driven. But this isnt going to be my daily driver, that may be a 1989 Lincoln Mark VII. I would use this truck for plowing and winter time type stuff with weekly driving during the summer. Any help would be most appreciated!

-Ryan

 

I'll take a stab at it: Truck looks good for a 2000-it has what I believe is an '08-'10 Tailgate and tail lights on it-may be even the whole bed.
It has the special cut-down '05-'07 Grille, and some '04ish aftermarket headlights too, plus '05-'07 emblems, I hate the wheels btw, all that aside it just may be familiar to some of our members due to possibly being a fellow members old truck that he traded in or smething....
As far as the clutch pressure I've never driven a six speed SD truck so I can't help there but I do think you CAN start out in 2nd gear most of the time-if you do a search here you will find a helpful posting about what to check on these trucks BEFORE purchase.
MPG on that truck will most likely be mid to high teens provided it hasn't been modded for all out power with no regard to mileage.
Hope I've been some help!

 

A few observations:
- The 4R100 and (especially) the 5R110 trannies are darned good. Taken care of and not abused, they will last a very long time (200k or even a lot more is NOT unusual). And if they do break, there are several companies making bullet proof versions.

- It is easy for a knowledgable/skilled person to change the behavior of an electronically controlled automatic transmission through software adjustments. I know Mike at 5-Star Tuning does a fantastic job of making the 4R100 shift perfectly in the gas models.

- I'm not aware of any "hydraulically assisted" clutches, but I believe these are a hydraulically actuated clutch. Very smooth and linear.

- I would never call the clutches in an SD "heavy". Considering the amount of torque they can handle, I find them surprisingly light. Try one - it should be light years easier than your old GM.

 

Ryan, to answer the questions you asked:

• My daily driver through Los Angeles traffic is a 6-spd 7.3, clutch doesn't bother me one bit, it is very light - although I only use it on starting/stopping, and flat-shift all the other gears (not b/c of clutch effort!).
• The clutch is hydraulically actuated.
• You can start in 2nd with no load on the truck.

To answer some of the questions you might have, but didn't ask:

• I personally wouldn't buy a 7.3 with an automatic, the 4R100's have a habit of dying, not if, but "when" dealing with the diesels low rpm torque - particularly when tuned (gas engines paired with the 4R100 work better) - there are some aftermarket shops that do great jobs of fixing those issues, but budget ~$4k for a repair to get a bulletproof transmission. (I would rather budget ~$800 for a new clutch - mine has 180k miles on the original, and still is fine - although I expect to need to replace it soon). The 6.0l's 5R110 automatic is much better suited to the diesel engine, but it comes with the 6.0l engine - and reliability on some trucks with that engine has been spotty.
• While the truck you linked looks good, the price is on the high end for the miles it has on it... Not sure what 7.3's go for in your locale tho, but might be worth shopping around

 

May be there is anouther member close by that could go & check it out with you??

 

Within 200 miles of my area, I have seen a 2002 F350 Super Cab Long Bed 6spd with 244k miles be priced at $21k. I've seen most trucks with 6spds and 250k+ miles go for the same price or more than what autos with half the miles go for. I think its a "rare 6spd" thing. I'm from Noblesville, Indiana. There aren't many sticks in this area, most people are lazy through here and I'm close to the "rich" Towns of Carmel and Geist/Fishers, IN, meaning they all have the more expensive cars, and not many trucks. So I have to go out about 100 miles to find a truck for myself. This truck is in South Bend, IN which is roughly 100 miles from Noblesville. My first Ford came from Sherwood, OH. Believe me, I shop around quite a bit

 

VIN: 3FTSW31F1YMA65153

I believe this is a mexico built truck also, judging by the 3FT in the VIN....

 

It looks like there is a hole in the back of the headrest from where a monitor has been installed and removed... not sure how you wold repair that...

 

With more monitors, duh!!! lol

 

OUCH!
I think I know where I might be selling my truck... (I paid less than 1/2 that for a truck in perfect condition w/ 160k miles...)

 

I would definitely pass on that truck. With all of the poor "upgrades" the truck has, it is worth about $4K.

This one is near you and a way better deal.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

Cars for Sale: 1999 Ford F250 4x4 SuperCab Super Duty in Sublette, IL 61367: Truck Details - 290916337 - AutoTrader.com

Cars for Sale: 2000 Ford F250 4x4 SuperCab Super Duty in Salem, WI 53168: Truck Details - 290798729 - AutoTrader.com

Cars for Sale: 2001 Ford F250 4x4 SuperCab Super Duty in Wayland, MI 49348: Truck Details - 290121921 - AutoTrader.com

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

 

Thanks, but you don't know what I'm using this truck for, also the trucks you have are not "big" enough for what I will be using it for. Don't assume, ask first. Besides, the "poor upgrades" don't matter. And if this truck is only worth $4k, your trucks only worth $4k

 

DELETED. I will not try to help you. You have it ALL figured out on your own, as is indicative of what you think is a good deal. Pay damn near 15K for something worth 4K.

 

Damn dude, defensive much? I do have it all figured out. I don't need someone helping me find a truck, all I asked was about the clutch, not if someone would help me find a truck. Around where I live, THAT IS A GOOD DEAL. I don't live near you, if I did, then I would take your advice. Until then, back off