Manual or auto??? HELP
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: CO, Springs
Manual or auto??? HELP
OK, I am looking to get a 99-01 Powerstroke or cummins. Which ever I can get the better deal on and I like better.
Anyways, I will not be doing any heavy towing 4,000 max. Manual I think are fun to drive and I have no problems driving them. I more worried about shifting once I do the mods I am going to get. Mods will be intake, guages, chip, ex, and maybe a couple more things to bump up hp.
Do the manuals hold up better with more power? Are they cheaper to upgrade? With all that extra hp will it be hard to keep up with the truck?
BTW if I get the cummins I think the only way to go is a manual as they have had a lot of problems with the auto.
So on the ford with my use what does everybody think??
Thanks in advance
Anyways, I will not be doing any heavy towing 4,000 max. Manual I think are fun to drive and I have no problems driving them. I more worried about shifting once I do the mods I am going to get. Mods will be intake, guages, chip, ex, and maybe a couple more things to bump up hp.
Do the manuals hold up better with more power? Are they cheaper to upgrade? With all that extra hp will it be hard to keep up with the truck?
BTW if I get the cummins I think the only way to go is a manual as they have had a lot of problems with the auto.
So on the ford with my use what does everybody think??
Thanks in advance
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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I like my 6 spd. Clutches are not cheap but compared to the price of a rebuilt automatic tranny it is quite a bit cheaper. I have not had any luck at all with rebuilt auto trannies and won't ever have another automatic truck. But I pull heavy as well and I tend to keep my trucks untill they die, so long term maintenance costs factored in to my decision. If you are going to spend alot of money on a truck--get what you want--you don't want to be stuck with a truck you are not totally satisfied with. Good Luck.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Where Critters Are Free
6 Speed
For pulling a trailer I would and I have gone with a standerd. Auto,s do not cut it with me they do not hold up. Out of 4 trucks we own we have one auto the only reson for that my wife has a bad knee and that is what she drives. I get 85,000 miles out of a clutch thats not bad with the weight we deal with at times. Good luck Also it is more fun driving a standerd As long as I can walk I will drive standerds.
----------------------------------------------------
88 F250 300 six 5spd pickup 2wd
99 F250 5.4 auto rack dump 2wd 4.10
00 F350 7.3 turbo 4x4 9ft rack body 6spd 4.10
04 F250 5.4 4x4 6spd pickup 3.73
----------------------------------------------------
88 F250 300 six 5spd pickup 2wd
99 F250 5.4 auto rack dump 2wd 4.10
00 F350 7.3 turbo 4x4 9ft rack body 6spd 4.10
04 F250 5.4 4x4 6spd pickup 3.73
Last edited by sglaine; Mar 20, 2004 at 07:15 PM.
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From: waterford nj
I own two manual F-350's
One a 97 351 Gasser and an 02 PSD.
I would never and have never owned an automatic.
Manuals are inherently stronger and a manual lets you decide when to go for another gear; not a computer that can't see you were just about ready to crest that hill anyway. Engine braking with a manual is another positive, as is better mileage.
A manual transmits power more efficiently because it is a direct mechanical link between motor and drivetrain, not a slush box full of fluid, wheels, discs and whizzbangs.
With the creeper gear built into the 5 and 6 speeds, you can idle away from a dead stop with a heavy load with minimal clutch action.
I put 162,000 on my '87 F250 (Borg Warner T-18 4 spd. with creeper) and sold it to a landscaper who ran it another 25,000 on the original clutch. The current ZF 6 speed is a close second to the Borg.
I have 80,000 on my 97 and 32,000 on my 02 and would expect to get close to 200,000 out of each before changing the clutch.
One a 97 351 Gasser and an 02 PSD.
I would never and have never owned an automatic.
Manuals are inherently stronger and a manual lets you decide when to go for another gear; not a computer that can't see you were just about ready to crest that hill anyway. Engine braking with a manual is another positive, as is better mileage.
A manual transmits power more efficiently because it is a direct mechanical link between motor and drivetrain, not a slush box full of fluid, wheels, discs and whizzbangs.
With the creeper gear built into the 5 and 6 speeds, you can idle away from a dead stop with a heavy load with minimal clutch action.
I put 162,000 on my '87 F250 (Borg Warner T-18 4 spd. with creeper) and sold it to a landscaper who ran it another 25,000 on the original clutch. The current ZF 6 speed is a close second to the Borg.
I have 80,000 on my 97 and 32,000 on my 02 and would expect to get close to 200,000 out of each before changing the clutch.
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From: CO, Springs
Thanks guys keep the comments coming
I am also concered about shifting with 400 RWHP and 600+tq.
I have heard from somewhere it is pretty hard to keep the truck moving without lossing a lot of time?? As you have to shift gears to fast..... Never driven a 3/4 ton truck with 400 HP and a stick. How is it when you are running thru the gears?
Thanks again I agree with getting what I want it is hard to find what I want with low miles and at a decent price
I am also concered about shifting with 400 RWHP and 600+tq.
I have heard from somewhere it is pretty hard to keep the truck moving without lossing a lot of time?? As you have to shift gears to fast..... Never driven a 3/4 ton truck with 400 HP and a stick. How is it when you are running thru the gears?
Thanks again I agree with getting what I want it is hard to find what I want with low miles and at a decent price
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Pa.
Ah, so you are a go fast guy! Well the ZF6 will never be i a sports car but i heard there are a few guys at the track keeping up, and there is supposed to be someone making a short throw kit, which would help
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: waterford nj
The throw on the ZF isn't bad and the gear ratios are properly spaced. In fact I skip gears when running empty because the ratios are spaced so closely.
You really don't lose momentum between gears.
The only thing I had to get used to was having reverse up and left as opposed to right and down like most earlier Ford truck trannys.
You really don't lose momentum between gears.
The only thing I had to get used to was having reverse up and left as opposed to right and down like most earlier Ford truck trannys.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
all the autos are the same. I think there were 5 spd ZF's available in 01 though. I have the 4r100 auto tranny in my rod knocker, and i have not had any problems with it, but nothing beatings shifting hands with your truck.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I am also concered about shifting with 400 RWHP and 600+tq.
So they are all the same from 99.5 to the 02's?? Auto and manuels?