Tranny options?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
Tranny options?
After owning my 2010 F150 for 5 years now, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t like the 6 speed and probably would not like any of the other offering. The problem is computers. They never work like they are supposed to. Mine is basically an okay transmission, but it annoys me that it doesn’t always shift properly. I think I prefer the old school manual transmission. Yes, automatic trannys are very convenient, but I hate things that seem unfixable. I am not really shopping for a new truck right now, but I started wondering if Ford even made a truck with a manual transmission these day. Does anyone know?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
Nope, no manual transmissions for many years now. I suggest looking at a tune for the computer. Edge had a transmission-only tune for my ‘05 that was amazing. I’ll seriously consider one once my warranty expires.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
After owning my 2010 F150 for 5 years now, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t like the 6 speed and probably would not like any of the other offering. The problem is computers. They never work like they are supposed to. Mine is basically an okay transmission, but it annoys me that it doesn’t always shift properly. I think I prefer the old school manual transmission. Yes, automatic trannys are very convenient, but I hate things that seem unfixable. I am not really shopping for a new truck right now, but I started wondering if Ford even made a truck with a manual transmission these day. Does anyone know?
I was just thinking that this might alleviate some of the problems you mentioned.
Just a thought.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 21
The 6 speed is much better than the 4 speed automatic. (Both transmissions are excellent). But I think the early 6 speeds had not as good programming, mine is a 2013, and it's very controllable. Only thing I don't like downshifts when slowing down, when in tow/haul. And it stays in 5th too long in tow/haul. To solve that I turn off tow / haul.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
I’ve never done a tune. Is that something I just buy and plug in myself, or would I need for a shop to do it?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
The 6 speed is much better than the 4 speed automatic. (Both transmissions are excellent). But I think the early 6 speeds had not as good programming, mine is a 2013, and it's very controllable. Only thing I don't like downshifts when slowing down, when in tow/haul. And it stays in 5th too long in tow/haul. To solve that I turn off tow / haul.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
You load the tune yourself. There are a couple of favorites on the forum. There was another thread talking tuners the past week or so you can dig up and review.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
MPT offers just trans tune. The one I saw was for a 2017, but take a look, call them if you have to, they're very accessible and easy to talk to.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
So, there’s no guarantee for sure. It is cheaper than a new truck however....
For my ‘05, I found the transmission to be sluggish. It never responded well to throttle inputs and was always one step behind what I wanted. The Edge tune removed that slug and made it much more responsive. It downshifted quicker and held higher gears longer, especially when I was wanting to go fast. It made the 5.4 feel like it actually had some stones. The only transmission that read my mind better was the Allison I had behind the Duramax when I went rogue and bought a GMC...but I digress...
As an owner of a ‘16, I can attest it doesn’t get any better with the newer trucks. We have a few rants in various threads about Ford’s transmission logic. There’s Sport Mode and manual buttons for shifting, but they’re not a permanent solution for the underlying issue. I just have a 6-speed like you...Some owners of the newer 10-speeds might be able to contribute if the newer system is any better...
For my ‘05, I found the transmission to be sluggish. It never responded well to throttle inputs and was always one step behind what I wanted. The Edge tune removed that slug and made it much more responsive. It downshifted quicker and held higher gears longer, especially when I was wanting to go fast. It made the 5.4 feel like it actually had some stones. The only transmission that read my mind better was the Allison I had behind the Duramax when I went rogue and bought a GMC...but I digress...
As an owner of a ‘16, I can attest it doesn’t get any better with the newer trucks. We have a few rants in various threads about Ford’s transmission logic. There’s Sport Mode and manual buttons for shifting, but they’re not a permanent solution for the underlying issue. I just have a 6-speed like you...Some owners of the newer 10-speeds might be able to contribute if the newer system is any better...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 6
From: Fountain Valley
Unibody, if you've had it reprogrammed and it works ok and goes back it may be the way you drive. These 6's and 10 speed adjust to your style. I was ez in my 6 speed '13 and it shifted too quick but it was my fault. I hated being aggressive with in town driving so I lived with it. The new 10 sp skips gears all the time and not always the same ones and I'm sure if my driving. This the first one I've had with Sport Mode and it better but I'd rather have a trans not slow me down when I'm in traffic... Times have changed and all this stuff is from emissions and fuel milage...it's what we've got.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
Yes I was told that they learn your driving, but I can’t see why it would think I want to shift to 2nd quickly and then right back to 1st in the blink of an eye 
. I know I’m not aggressive off the line and maybe it wants me to be, I don’t know. However, I’m very consistent in my driving, but the truck isn’t consistent in it’s shifting. I guess I could do my own tranny swap and go back to manual, lol. And I agree, it’s all driven my fuel mileage. 
I was recently reading up on the cam phasers problems we have. In the USA, the recommended oil for the 4.6 is 5W-20 (for fuel economy) and yet in other countries, they still go with 5W-30 and don’t have the problems we have.
. I know I’m not aggressive off the line and maybe it wants me to be, I don’t know. However, I’m very consistent in my driving, but the truck isn’t consistent in it’s shifting. I guess I could do my own tranny swap and go back to manual, lol. And I agree, it’s all driven my fuel mileage. I was recently reading up on the cam phasers problems we have. In the USA, the recommended oil for the 4.6 is 5W-20 (for fuel economy) and yet in other countries, they still go with 5W-30 and don’t have the problems we have.
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Mar 23, 2004 01:07 PM