Manual or auto??? HELP
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
manual; do you want a computer deciding when you need a gear, or you?
esp when you can see whats 500 ft ahead and want to just stay in a gear, or down shift ahead of time before bogging down.
my truck is made 1/98 and had the 6spd.
i never considered an auto except for snow plowing.
esp when you can see whats 500 ft ahead and want to just stay in a gear, or down shift ahead of time before bogging down.
my truck is made 1/98 and had the 6spd.
i never considered an auto except for snow plowing.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
I a stick man, That being said, the ZF 6speed as a tight sift patern, if you are not use to driveing a stick or a hot roddign be prepared to grind a few tilll you get use to the feel. but I think the a the 6 is my trany of choice, J.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
I'm going to be contrary and vote for an automatic. Why not relax and let the truck do the work? Modern automatics are pretty nice, and efficient. And easier to back a trailer. And smoother takeoff. And nicer for putting an arm around your sweetie. I know, our old grannies and grampas didn't need no darn automatics. Well if mine were alive today, they would love not having to rassle a clutch.
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Eliminating the sigs sux! 1995 F-350 6-speed dually extended cab
132,000 miles, 13-19 mpg
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Eliminating the sigs sux! 1995 F-350 6-speed dually extended cab
132,000 miles, 13-19 mpg
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks Alaska
Though I do agree with diesel-lady on the having a free hand to put your arm around your girl or boyfriend. But my girl shifts the gears for me (the truck guys). I don't even have to hit the clutch. Poor mans auto I guess.
Autos are good for one thing. Making it easier to drive liesurely (sp?).
About speed and a 6 speed. Well that tranny was meant to pull, not slam through the gears like a sports car.
Keep leaning towards the stick.
Autos are good for one thing. Making it easier to drive liesurely (sp?).
About speed and a 6 speed. Well that tranny was meant to pull, not slam through the gears like a sports car.
Keep leaning towards the stick.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Just think about the future on your truck. I like stick best, especially in the past with thousands of pounds of cattle in a trailer trying to get out of creeks, hills, those darn stop signs in towns, etc. But, now I don't do this on a regular basis. I have a spouse that does not know how and is scaird of a stick shift. Sometimes we have to drive the others vehicles. I also do mostly interstate driving. I will only sell the calves maybe twice a year. No bad or extended winters. When I decided to get this PU I knew an auto was the only logical choice. I don't like an auto but it comes in real handy with stop go traffic or backed up stop sign on hills, etc. Just happy I got a nice PSD, auto trans and all.
All that aside, go stick if you can but do you need one? Unless you do, an auto will be better.
All that aside, go stick if you can but do you need one? Unless you do, an auto will be better.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: northern Maine
I own a manual. I never use 1 gear unless i am pulling something heavy. How about all of you? do you use 1 gear empty. just wondering if i am hurting the clutch. Instaled conversion New luk kit.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by shendoa
I own a manual. I never use 1 gear unless i am pulling something heavy. How about all of you? do you use 1 gear empty. just wondering if i am hurting the clutch. Instaled conversion New luk kit.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
I never use L gear, except with the big trailer, and I only use 1 if I'm pointed uphill, or disposing of some jap crap from a stoplight.
Oh, and sports car speed shifting is not only possible with the ZF-6, it's really not all that difficult once you develop the knack for it (a good clutch also helps immensely).
Want to speed your shifts up a bunch? Remove the old man spring from the top of the pedal.
Oh, and sports car speed shifting is not only possible with the ZF-6, it's really not all that difficult once you develop the knack for it (a good clutch also helps immensely).
Want to speed your shifts up a bunch? Remove the old man spring from the top of the pedal.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
'93 non-turbo stick, '99 auto, '02 stick, '03 auto, '04 auto, '04 auto - The new auto's tow great, ALL the manual's tow great. I can't threaten an employee into towing with the '99 automatic. Its terrible. WE use the non-turbo 7.3 as a tow vehicle before we use the powerstroke auto in the '99. I tow small excavators and bobcats as well as materials on trailers averaging about 10 -12,000 lbs. The '99-'02 automatic is great empty, but just can't get the heavy loads moving with the same confidence that the manuals can. The new automatic behind the 6.0's grabs much faster, and drives great. They definitely hit a home run with the new transmission. I swore I'd never buy an automatic in a tow vehicle, and since then I've bought three.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
cookie88, so you take off in 2nd in your 01? I always started in 2nd with my 92 (5 speed) but my 99 (6 speed) ive always started in 1st, unless loaded (then L). Do you ride the clutch much starting off in 2nd?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
No at all. It takes off in 2 easily on flat ground. If I'm nose up a and it feels like it's going to lug I just pop it into 1. Obviously, with any of the trailers hooked up it lugs it down too much for my tastes using the higher gear.
There were a few times back when I first got the truck that I accidently took off in 3. These trucks have more than enough torque to overcome most "accidental" shifts. The trick is to get off the dang clutch and let the torque do it's job.
There were a few times back when I first got the truck that I accidently took off in 3. These trucks have more than enough torque to overcome most "accidental" shifts. The trick is to get off the dang clutch and let the torque do it's job.