Why no manuals?
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 7
Why no manuals?
I guess it is the whole supply/demand thing but I do wish the consumer had the option of a standard transmission. I had a 94 Explorer standard and it was a lot of fun. When was the last year a standard was available in a half ton?
What are your thoughts on this in general and any chance of it coming back?
What are your thoughts on this in general and any chance of it coming back?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,013
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From: Maine, Virginia
I think the manual tranny saw it's demise with the end of the 2008 model year and the end of the 4.2L V-6 engines.
These new transmissions are so smart and efficient that no one could make a manual transmission work anymore efficiently.
Ford thinks no one wanted a manual, I disagree. I think it should still be offered, it's about choices even tough I'll never get another.
These new transmissions are so smart and efficient that no one could make a manual transmission work anymore efficiently.
Ford thinks no one wanted a manual, I disagree. I think it should still be offered, it's about choices even tough I'll never get another.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,311
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I think part of it, is what Tim said...No manual can work better than a modern day Automatic.
But I also think part of is just the demographic today...See I am 22 years old, and the majority of the people I know that are my age...Don't know how to drive a stick. Fourtunatly enough for me, my dad took me aside as a kid and taught me how to do so. But it seems as though most of the people ''I know at least'' that are my age, don't have a clue how to handle a Manual Transmission.
And just, overall slumping sales of manuals. I remember reading somewere that in 2008 ''Fords last year offering a manual F-150'' Manual transmissions only made up like 5% or 10% of their overall sales. There was just no demand for them anymore. Sad but True. I agree though that Manuals should still be offered for those select few that perfer to row their own gears.
But I also think part of is just the demographic today...See I am 22 years old, and the majority of the people I know that are my age...Don't know how to drive a stick. Fourtunatly enough for me, my dad took me aside as a kid and taught me how to do so. But it seems as though most of the people ''I know at least'' that are my age, don't have a clue how to handle a Manual Transmission.
And just, overall slumping sales of manuals. I remember reading somewere that in 2008 ''Fords last year offering a manual F-150'' Manual transmissions only made up like 5% or 10% of their overall sales. There was just no demand for them anymore. Sad but True. I agree though that Manuals should still be offered for those select few that perfer to row their own gears.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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I prefer manuals over autos for a few reasons. My Mustang is a manual, but my F150 is an auto, I have been ok with the auto until a couple of days ago when I was trying to pull out a tree. I have realized that you can't rock the truck with an auto, it's hard on it to go back and forth in drive and reverse. I never realized this disadvantage until I watched my brothers manual F250 try and pull out the tree. All you have to do is put in the clutch and let the truck roll back then let the clutch out to go again.
Off topic here, but we have broken 5 tow straps on this tree, I have dug around it, chopped through the roots, even dug underneath it. It just won't come out.
Off topic here, but we have broken 5 tow straps on this tree, I have dug around it, chopped through the roots, even dug underneath it. It just won't come out.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Not enough demand for a manual to justify the option. Today's auto's are stronger than the manuals is most cases. The manual used in the 97-03 was terrible for a truck. They had about half of the towing capacity that the automatics had and the SuperDuty ZF trans was too big to put in the F150.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
This is where you use a winch.
Set a Deadman to hold the winch vehicle.
Using two ****** blocks take a strain on the tree about 4 feet above the ground.
P is the winch
The top block is attached to the winch vehicle.
(Chain it to the frame.)
The bottom block is attached to the tree (W)
A 8,000# winch can pull 24,000# with this set up.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: South Jersey
My father in law always had manual trannies until his 2008 Fusion. His last 2 trucks were an '85 F150 with a 300 6 and a 4 speed, and a '96 Bronco with a 5.0 and a 5 speed. He is not happy that manuals are not offered in vehicles like they used to, but for most people now a days (not all), autos are efficient and preferred more. It's sad but true.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
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OFF TOPIC: Can someone tell me how to add a profile picture that will show when I post?
Also how do you add the info. at the bottom that shows up with each post automatically?
Thanks and good discussion about the manual. This all makes sense, it just seems like it should be an option. But it's just not lucrative for Ford these days.
Also how do you add the info. at the bottom that shows up with each post automatically?
Thanks and good discussion about the manual. This all makes sense, it just seems like it should be an option. But it's just not lucrative for Ford these days.
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From: SW Virginia
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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A major contributing factor to the lack of manuals in the F150 is probably the fully manual mode on the automatic transmission. No need for a clutch, and it provides complete control. I love it, but don't really use it too often anyway.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,493
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Not enough demand for a manual to justify the option. Today's auto's are stronger than the manuals is most cases. The manual used in the 97-03 was terrible for a truck. They had about half of the towing capacity that the automatics had and the SuperDuty ZF trans was too big to put in the F150.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Jalopnik did a writeup a while back on why many MFGs are dropping manuals - the extra cost of software: Manual Transmissions Are Hideously Expensive Because Of Software
I take everything I read there with a grain of salt, but it seems on point.
I take everything I read there with a grain of salt, but it seems on point.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
. Saw it on the FTE front page and knew I had an article on it.