I am about a month from needing to make a decision on what direction to go with my transmission. 1969 Short Bed was Three on the Tree Manual. I have added IFS and 4-Link with Coil overs from No Limit. 351w stroked to 392 pushing 500HP Carb pump gas. Keeping Bench seat Family truck no chance I would sell. I will run it out at Famoso(Drag) and some at our local Road Course just for fun! More to see what it will do! Not my daily driver weekend fun.

Auto Pro: Drag Cars all use Auto, Easy to drive as I get older, Plan to buy another classic(manual?), Long term, lower maintenance, Cruising, Cab space

Manual Pro: Never owned a bad *** 5 speed, Fun of slamming gears, Just cooler, Better for road course, melting tires and driving fast,

So give me your opinions and maybe more Pros for each side, Thanks!

 

If you don't need OD, you might consider one of these. http://www.broaderperformance.com/9-ford-c4-

I have the $850 S/S in a Maverick with a 347 pushing 400 FWHP and like it a lot. If you register at mmb.maverick.to you can get a 10% discount.

Pros: small, light, cheap for a 500 HP transmission. Lots less likely to break stuff than with a 5-speed manual.


If you you want OD, how 'bout a 4R70W with manual valve body? I have a used, stock one out of a '00 F150 that'll go in a '70 F100 with (hopefully) 400+ FWHP. It will get a standalone controller but I expect there are manual valve bodies available that would let you do the shifting.

Pro: Lots less likely to break stuff than with a manual 5-speed.
Cons: big, heavy.

 

My preference is manual but that's all it is: my preference. Not sure what getting older has to do with manual vs. automatic. Maybe easier on your knees but seems like the workout might do them some good. Anyhow - I prefer the manual and think it would be fun in your application.

 

Should have mentioned I want over drive, some freeway driving involved. Freeway driving is 75mph now not 65mph as it used to be.

yeah looking at the 4R70W or AODE as a possible.

I will check the link out, thanks!

 

Real hot rods have three pedals.

Go manual... a TKO-500 behind a QuickTime bellhousing. A 0.68 OD and 3.50 rear gears will turn about 1900 RPM at 70 mph on 28.7-inch tires (275/60-15).

 

Auto on the column without a doubt. It's no fun changing gears with 2 people up front with you. Just put it in drive and tell them to hold on. I've also always believed a good automatic is way better than a straight gear.

 

I do agree with Hio..the tko is the way to go

 

6 speeds are my choice when I have the coin for one but there pricy but the gear ratios are fantastic tire melting first three gears and still cruise nice at 90 mph on the freeway but that's my preference I like to shift

 

For drag racing, a built auto is the only way to go. It can shift faster than you can with a manual anyday.. Not saying youre slow but with shift pressures increased and a good race tune youll blow the doors off a manual transmission anyday. my 2cents..

 

My thoughts exactly. If its a cruiser or a racer, go with an automatic....wanna buy tires every 6-8 months from playing around, go with a straight gear. Haha.

 

Apparently you have never ridden in a stick vehicle with someone that knows what they are doing. All that "my auto is quicker" crap is nonsense.

I'll give the fact the truck needs to be family friendly so I would vote for an automatic. Just the fact more leg room for three passengers. If you can't tell I'm a diehard stick guy. I've got two championship trophies to proof it.

 

Ok..for the family..an auto on the tree..just to save room. I do like manuals more because it seems like most..not all..are simple boxes with gears and if you choose the right one..are practically indestructible. I've had a lot of issues with automatics in the past.

 

LOL, yeah, thats the key. There is no such thing as "builtproof" when you start putting alot of HP on a transmission. Ive seen automatics fly apart and Ive seen people rip gears out of straight gears.

My truck used to be a straight gear but I switched it to an automatic and that was the best thing I ever did. Ive got 3 mustangs, all straight gears and yes they are fun to drive.....but if I want to go out, kick back, and cruise around, I will pick my truck any day. When my truck was a straight gear, I was constantly going from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd while riding through town (stop light to stop light) since I have a rather large cam in my truck. Now with an auto I dont have to do that anymore. In my opinion, an auto or a 4 speed in the floor.....or ANY shifter in the floor in one of these trucks is a pain when you have 2 people riding with you. And guys who would rather have a 3 spd over an automatic on the column in oneof these trucks is beyond me unless they are using the truck for hauling or pulling things, which in this case the way your talking your not going to be doing much of that......but hey, its your truck so do what YOU want to do with it! Good luck!

 

Since this is a family truck, go with the column auto. Your middle seat passenger will thank you for it!

 

Oh but it is quicker........ If you suck at stick.

It all depends on the setup. You can put alot of money into a auto and she will cook better than any pro in a manual. But Manuals are funner. Easier to burnout, Drift, better for towing (IMO) and all around better for driving.

I Like to choose what gear I am. Driving around town you can upshift and bog down so you get better gas millage. Plus passing some elderly lady in her boat anchor cadi you can down shift and floor it......

Of course if its a cruiser than whats easier than taking your foot off the brake and putting it back on the gas.

In my familys drive way at the moment is a 1997 f-250 (Auto), 2013 kia optma (Auto), 1973 MGBGT (4-speed) and 1971 f-250 (4-speed). The kia and the 97 f-250 are nice for road trips but sooooo god damn boring to drive!