Anyone ever think to ditch the automatic and drop a 5 or 6 speed manual into one of these trucks? This generation I mean.
I wanted to buy one of these trucks in a crew cab brand new. After talking with Ford corporate I found out I couldn't special order a manual shift version of this generation truck. Kind of annoyed me, a lot. I like the look of the truck, the comfort, the style, etc. But I always prefer the manual shift, and by the time I could swing a new Ford the SOB's stopped putting the trans I want in the truck I want.
Never the less, still a Ford fan. I own 3 Ford trucks now. a 65 F100, 95 F150, and 06 Superduty Powerstroke.
I'm always tinkering on trucks. I love them. I buy them sick or broken and revive them. I got to thinking, why not pick up one of these rigs maybe good, maybe accident damage, or a bad tranny, whatever. A decent deal, and put a manual trans in it, build the truck I wanted to buy new.
You can put any tranny in anything if you want to. I'm just wondering, has anyone done it? I know there are computer things to consider.
Let me know what you think!

 

My Dad circa 1977, "Anything can be done with enough $$$$ and a big enough hammer!!"

I like the tranny controls I have now. The little button on the shifter locking out higher gears and the option to run in M works well. I'd love to go back to a manual with a clutch, etc. but after a left hip replacement last winter and crappy knees I'm not too sure how well it would work for me.

 

I've been looking looking online for a lower cost truck to attempt this. What I have discovered is that there is no cheaper truck to do this with. lol A low priced truck that I did find had engine issues and high miles to boot. Everything else I find are nice trucks, higher miles, and price. I may have to rethink my idea of cheap!
One thing that stands out with these crew cab trucks is so many are 4x4. I am in SC, why in the world do so many people here buy a 4x4 truck?? If you are farming or logging or into construction, etc then I can see it, but many of these are daily drivers, again, in SC. It seems like a waste to have a 4x4 here. A work truck might require it, and someone into off roading will need it, but how many people off road with a crew cab lariat?

 

The last year a v8 F150 had a manual option was 2003, the v6 lost its manual in 2008. There is nothing in the 09+ trucks that will support or readily adapt to a manual. With the 6r80 as durable as it is and having such a low first gear and excellent torque multiplication. I don't think the trade off is worth it, look at the guys running drag strip with the autos.

 

A 2019 mustang gt can be outfitted with a 6 speed manual so why not a truck? The mustang trans might not a good for truck use, towing and hauling, but even in brand new mustangs there is a manual that bolts up to a 5.0.
Aside from that, there are some decent manual transmissions out there that could be bolted up to a 5.4 with the right bell housing. I haven't spent much time yet looking into possible setups but I am confident that it is possible.
Check out the hotrod scene, people build cars all the time with parts that weren't intended for the vehicle they are building. It's not about trade off, it is about building what you want because you can't buy it that way.
Auto trans has it's place, just not in my truck!

 

I have been thinking a lot about this manual shift thing, and looking at a lot of trucks for sale. What I find is very over priced high mile 8-10 yr old trucks.
I have come up with an advanced version of my plan. I was originally just thinking a manual transmission. What I have an issue with is the 200k mile rigs I find for sale, for top retail prices.
So my thinking has changed a little bit. I'm thinking about searching for a truck with a bad engine, or trans, or both, because it won't matter.
The new idea, drop in a turbo diesel and a manual transmission. No more crappy timing chain issues, bad cam phasers, etc! Black smoke is no joke, diesel is the answer. And I'm not talking Cummins swap. Everyone does Cummins stuff. I'm not like everyone! lol I guess I just need to find a truck now!!

 

But what engine other than a 12 valve cummins would you want in a truck?
Rob

 

As Ford390 said, with the reliability of the motor and auto trans, it makes it difficult to justify putting in a manual... I had one in the 1970s- 1990s .... Then got a 2002 CREW with an auto ..... Now a 2013 with AUTO.... sure seems simple.

 

I would pay more for a manual and once you taste a cummins standard the automatic is just not the same.

 

I don't doubt the reliability of the auto trans. I just don't want one. And I too would pay more for the manual option.
As for the Cummins, I agree that they are one of the best engines out there, but the 6BT is a little more than an F150 needs, and the 4BT is just not refined enough to drop into a crew cab family truck, they vibrate a lot and are noisy. That said, benefits of Cummins is the ability to get parts and adapters to use the engines in anything.
But I like being different. Also, the Cummins following has resulted in the engines being pretty over priced for what they are. You can find a deal now and then I guess. Look at the classifieds. You'll see a $1000 dodge truck with a Cummins and the price is $10,000. lol
I'm thinking about a 4 cylinder turbo diesel out of an Isuzu cabover. They are smooth and quiet, smaller and more than capable for a half ton truck.
Another good option might be a mercedes diesel from a sprinter van, they get awesome fuel mileage and are also very quiet engines.