will be ordering a new 250 SRW, 4X4, 4.30ls, V10, CC, debating on manual or auto trans. Have driven manuals for years, idea of not shifting is appealing but I recognize the benefits of a manual. In these trucks with the V10, what transmission works best for you on daily drive, hunting, camping, etc...... Tks for your input!!

 

I myself like the auto trans, gettin' lazy in my "old age"

 

I myself like the 6-speed manual,, LOL, just had to vote to tie it up,,my 99' was a PSD auto, and it hunted for gears alot, I hear the Torqe-shift auto is alot better, but I am very happy with my 04' F-350 V-10, with the 6 speed, fun to drive, more control, and even in OD,(6th) you can putt around at 40 mph to 95 mph (with the 4:30 gears), just depends on what you want.

Later,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

If you are going to tow anything, get the manual. A lower percentage of sticks fail. Plus, the auto is at least $1,000 more up front, and gets less fuel mileage.

 

I definitely think the 6spd is the way to go. In fact, the fact that Ford puts a good manual transmission in the super duties is one of the main reasons I decided to order a Ford.

I like your choice of 4.30 gears as well - it seems to help the truck get up and go.

Bill

 

I've had a 4-speed 435NP in my '74 F250, and it's great for the grunt and power.

However, we've had some deep snow (1-2 feet) here on Long Island the last two winters... I find that I like the traction of the auto V10 a lot better! With a stick, I would have either been spinning the wheels in 1st, or burning the clutch in 2nd to get moving. Many times I've been in a deep pile, and the auto allowed me to slowly increase the throttle until it started moving, with a stick, I don't think I would have been able to do it that easily.

By the way, I get over 16MPG with the V10, shortbed, supercab, cab-high cap on the bed, 3.73's and an AUTO... doing 75MPH on the highway. Checked many times, half of it is going back to the same gas station and same pump, so I'm pretty confident in that number...

Since the days of lock-up torque converters, highway mileage on the autos seems to be very close to a manual.

Of course, you may be replacing the auto at about the same time you would replace the clutch for a manual

Caveat: I do not tow anything much, so I don't know about an auto and towing, but with a decent load, it was still a good pulling machine.

 

Tks for the feedback everyone! You all make good points and I agree completely with everything said. The ability of the auto to slowly and consistently apply power in the snow situation is an excellent example of where it can do better than a stick. Other than this and shifting all the time I believe the stick to be a better choice. However, having said that I keep wondering if I'd prefer not to shift or have reliability and control comparable to manual hubs and a transfer case...

 

Don't hate me, but I have ESOF too, not my choice, I found my '01 on the lot brand new, in June '02, with only 25 miles, got about $3K off the sticker on a Ford Red Carpet (unlimited mileage!) lease, 4 yrs, and around $9K buy-back after 4 years (I'd have to be crazy not to buy it, it'll have only 30K miles on it, and I could sell it for more than $9K).

While it's the opitomy of laziness, I do like it. I do use it a LOT even in the summer, even just to pull it around the back of the house, because it needs to be used often to keep from locking up (especially the hubs)... it's nice to drag-race people in the rain too, even if it's just to make sure to use the ESOF

If it was a WORK truck, I would never have gotten ESOF.

I'm pretty confident in the servo on the transfer case, it's the hubs I'm leary of... but at least there is the manual-lock option for that too ...

(anyone notice there is a filter/breather on the hub ****? and make sure to keep it clear of crap?)

4x4 LOW with the auto, I tied it up to an Acura Legend I've been storing in the yard for 2 yrs. It's got one flat tire, all four wheels were chocked, and the ground was soft, so it had sunk into the ground about 4-5". Without even hitting the gas, the auto in 4x4 LOW pulled it right out.

 

Regarding the snow issue. With the 6 speed, you can put it in L and wont even have to touch the gas. Just let off the clutch and it goes just like an auto.

 

6 speed definately.

 

6 speed if you like hearing the V10 growl! Auto if you like being bored!

 

Mine growls plenty with an auto - people hundreds of feet down the street turn around and look at only 3000RPM!

 

I have been plowing alot lately, 17.5 hrs on 1/28 and 1/29 with my V-10 and the 6-speed, and I am very pleased with it's ability to take-off even in 2 WD, without spinning much.

I do have some weight in the bed but it does very well,,ohh and If you want to blow it around in 2WD,,,, , it does that well also, gotta love them big lots for having some fun doing a teadious job hour after hour,,the 6-speed gets my vote !

Later,,,,,,,,Mark

 

6speed !!!!!!
Ls rear diff 3.73 (1800-1900rpm=70mph)fuel milegage /6th gear od
don't get the open diff

put it in 4lo in granny gear it will push or pull any thing you want.

Rich

 

The "real" gear reduction in a 6-speed granny gear will produce more torque out the rear of the tranny than an auto will, any day. Even though the torque converter is supposed to multiply torque, I doubt it does as good a job as a plain ol' gear-to-gear torque multiplication...

So there, I contadicted myself, this thread has gone on so long