Just wondering here. Did the new transmissions do anything for fuel economy or just capability?

My '04 Expy gets pretty darned good MPG's for being the behemoth that it is. I don't tow anything so how is the six speed going to help me?

Discussion?

 

Thats what they (Ford) claim. My buddy has a '10 SCab with the 4.6 and on a recent trip back to western PA on the turnpike averaged 22ish with a LK and 275/70 Kelly Safaris which are a mildly aggressive tire. I don't get on the hiway much right now, I'm working close to home fortunately. It definately keeps the rpms down.

 

Tim I have been curious about this too. The 1st gear in the 6spd is pretty steep and 5&6 are incredibly geared towards mileage at cruising speed as compared to the 4spd of prior years. I would love a 6spd in my truck with an agressive torque converter lockup schedule to harness the true potential of my engine. Aside from having to make more shifts...I see the 6spd as a good thing

 

I would say yes. I have the 3.73 rear end in my truck. At 70mph I am right at 2100 rpm. My old truck with a 5 speed 3.55 was at 2300 i would say the lower the rpm the better you could see in mpg. Also when Iam towing in my new truck. When I hit a hill it may drop to fifth and jump to 2500 rpm. Where as my old truck would drop to 4th and would be at or above 3000 rpm.

 

Not sure its the holy grail but compared to my old 03 explorer with 5spd trans it is def better. It shines more when towing or going up grades. Like said above when it downshifts to 5th it is much less drastic. But I do think it would still help you in our flat land here. When going through the gears they aren't spaced as far apart so rpms don't have to rise and fall as far, and I believe 6th gear is a high gear than your expy. Is it 5 or 4 spd?

 

My Expy is the same 4 speed used in the '04-'08 F-150's.

 

It is benefit. It helped make the underpowered 5.4L more competitive. The extra gears help keep the engine in a usable powerband which improved performance and economy.

 

The 6 speed is a BIG reason I traded my 08' 5.4l for my 10' 5.4l And it's a night and day difference all around, capability, mpg, general feel IMO

 

I have to agree with having more power band also. It's nice to not have to downshift making the engine scream to accelerate when towing or passing someone. The low first gear makes for nice take offs, and the 5th and 6th gear overdrives help mpg's a little. The 6 speed and the electric fans help free up a little more power on the 5.4. I don't think it is underpowered at all, just not as powerful as the competition.

 

I drove a friends new 2010 and I really hope someone comes up with a tranny swap so i can ditch my 4-speed and put one of these new 6-speeds in my truck. I really prefer my body style plus all the stuff I already have done to the truck I really dont want to start over again. anyone seen a thread anywhere about a tranny swap?

 

Welcome to FTE! Your best bet would be to start your own new thread instead of having it buried in another. You might get more responses that way. I don't recall anything on the subject but others will chime in. Good luck!