View Poll Results: Which Tranny
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Auto Vs. Manual
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
Auto Vs. Manual
Just yesterday, I took a drive up to Havre to look at a 1990 F350 with a bad E4OD. It decided to follow me back home.
The truck goes fine in reverse, but will barely move forward if you rev the motor up to 2500 RPM. This leads me to believe the forward clutch seal is out.
Anyhow, I have two options - both of which I like:
Rebuild the auto (myself)
Swap in a ZF5
I am a bit of a power junky. I will be turbo-ing the motor in the near future (probably when the tranny's out). I will use the truck to pull 10 to 15 thousand pound loads quite often. When not towing, I like to go fast (well, as fast as an old IDI will go).
I am partial to positive engagement, but autos are nice for driving around.
So the question is, do you think I should go with a manual or built auto and why?
The truck goes fine in reverse, but will barely move forward if you rev the motor up to 2500 RPM. This leads me to believe the forward clutch seal is out.
Anyhow, I have two options - both of which I like:
Rebuild the auto (myself)
Swap in a ZF5
I am a bit of a power junky. I will be turbo-ing the motor in the near future (probably when the tranny's out). I will use the truck to pull 10 to 15 thousand pound loads quite often. When not towing, I like to go fast (well, as fast as an old IDI will go).
I am partial to positive engagement, but autos are nice for driving around.
So the question is, do you think I should go with a manual or built auto and why?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
I have to throw in a vote for having your truck grow a pair... (of man pedals). If you're worried about the clutch, drill the flywheel and put a 13" Superduty clutch in it. No computers. No sensors. No BS. Most importantly you tell the truck when to shift not the other way around. But this is one of those personal preference arguments, the right answer is really which one you like better.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: Sweet home Alabama
V8 400HP tire smoken fire breathin hot rod stick all the way nothin like stabbin gears,V8 diesel Work truck with a turbo auto! And relax
With the foot to the carpet and the boost a boostin ;D
With the foot to the carpet and the boost a boostin ;D
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
I say manual, no tranny being the boss of what it wants to do cause I like to control shift point. I am also used to driving one all day year round an it could wear you out if your not used to it. so its up to you
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
This is one of the problems with an auto.......
If you go with one, definitely get a good billet tc and upgrade the pump as well. I've posted these pics before but they never get old.
If you go with one, definitely get a good billet tc and upgrade the pump as well. I've posted these pics before but they never get old.
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: copperas cove tx
I rode with my dad in his KW all the time as a kid, nothin like the spool of a turbo after you shift for the coming hill. Manual trannys are more dependable for less money. Where as an auto needs vave body work a new tc and oil pump, a manual just needs a good clutch.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Holland, VA
I have a 1990 F-250 XLT with an EZ Dumper and 8' Meyers snow plow. I prefer the E4OD for that little truck.
I also have a 1987 International S-1758 dump truck with a five speed manual, two-speed rear end, and 9.0 diesel. When I feel like shifting I drive this truck.
I also have a 1987 International S-1758 dump truck with a five speed manual, two-speed rear end, and 9.0 diesel. When I feel like shifting I drive this truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,345
Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
im an E40D fan all the way.you say you like to go fast and will be installing a turbo.well,a zf5 can't touch an E40D truck with all things equal.the E40D will shift far quicker than you can with the zf5 so the manual truck's boost will keep falling off during every shift,where the E40D truck will boost and hold strong and you'll leave the manual trans truck far behind on take off.so the auto doesn't just have the advantage of being nice to drive around.it leads to a much quicker idi truck too.
just do your homework and build the E40D to match your performance level with the upgrades and she'll last ya.they can build these things to take the built up psd and cummins.
just do your homework and build the E40D to match your performance level with the upgrades and she'll last ya.they can build these things to take the built up psd and cummins.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
I prefer the manual for dependability and for letting me choose my shift points. But the autos are far easier to drive in traffic. If the auto is built-up correctly, it should be fine, but the toasted auto in my '01 PSD F350 (34k) sort of scared me away from the older 4 speeds. The only thing wrong with my 5 speed is the lack of a sixth. Plus the manual makes it feel like I'm driving a real TRUCK, right down to matching revs and driving without the clutch. My ex father-in-law ran Mack dump trucks and when he was hiring drivers he'd have them take him for a test drive in one of his trucks, if they used the clutch once the truck was rolling, they didn't get the job.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
Yeah, NMB2 had a ZF in his truck and it was a turd at take off... NOT...
Rumor has it that his truck has two things hanging by the passenger seat. A rosary and a roll of toilet paper!
With a clutch you can wind it up and make a boosted launch. The hiccups in boost as you shift are minor. If you are drag racing with it, worry about it, if not, just get what you like. Mostly the opinion on this forum is that shifting is a chore. I don't do a lot of stop and go traffic and I ~like shifting, so for me a ZF is the cat's ***. But like I said before, it is a taste/personality thing. This subject has been hashed here before. If you like auto there's no sense in trying to convince you manual is better or vice versa.
Rumor has it that his truck has two things hanging by the passenger seat. A rosary and a roll of toilet paper!
With a clutch you can wind it up and make a boosted launch. The hiccups in boost as you shift are minor. If you are drag racing with it, worry about it, if not, just get what you like. Mostly the opinion on this forum is that shifting is a chore. I don't do a lot of stop and go traffic and I ~like shifting, so for me a ZF is the cat's ***. But like I said before, it is a taste/personality thing. This subject has been hashed here before. If you like auto there's no sense in trying to convince you manual is better or vice versa.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,345
Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
why bring this up though? here;