Automatic or manual transmission?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,351
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From: Benton County, MN
Automatic or manual transmission?
Manual all the way. Less things to worry about going wrong. I'll put my NP435 up against anything. We have five Ford trucks. Four are 4WD and all of those are manual. My ranger is 2wd and was a 4 speed but when I put the 302 in I could not find a manual at the time. So I went with the C6. I did leave the clutch pedal in with aspirations of getting one in there someday.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 788
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Automatic or manual transmission?
I couldn't vote. There are just to many variables/uses. I shift up and down all day long so when I get done and get in the 4 wheeler the last thing I want to do is start rowing again. Now if I was in a high performance car of some sort that's a different story. Also a diesel powered pickup should really have the crashbox in it. A manuel does really seperate the boys from the men. I learned on a '59 Chevy at the tender age of 11. I've never looked back.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47
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From: Tallahassee
Automatic or manual transmission?
JOSEPH! ya gotta learn a stick. i'd take a stick over auto, but where i live, too many gosh darnned hills, slow traffic, ##### drivers, ya just cant let the engine do what it was meant to do, as soon as ya finally get up to 5th, u have to suddenly downshift and brake, kills the clutch and everything. my ranger was a stick, loved her to death, except when i'd get stuck on a REALLY steep hill (i wanna know whose freakin bright idea it was to put a light in the MIDDLE of a steep hill? even automatics have a tough time getting up it, it's like going completely vertical, and of course u always catch the red, so ur struggling). u wanna know how i learned? i bought a truck with a manual transmission, i had to learn. took it out to a parking lot, and did donuts for awhile until i got used to changing gears and stopping and starting without stalling out. it's all in the timing, soon u get to the point where u can just "feel" when to shift. it isnt hard, just be sure u find someone who is patient and experienced with a stick and have them take u to a parking lot.
Tyger9791
'96 Ford Explorer XLT "Tonka Truck"
Tyger9791
'96 Ford Explorer XLT "Tonka Truck"
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
Automatic or manual transmission?
Manuals are more fun but when you go to a city and you have a really high first gear and a clutch that chatters its a pane(rush hour, hills, etc) then an automatic would be better and easier on the vehicle to.
82' Flareside with ZOOM ZOOM
2/4 Drop
Soon to have 325hp 351 Clevo
(maybe more,in a 3600lb truck)
Backed by a C6 with a 2000 rpm stall and a 3.50 9 incher
American Racing AR-23 (series 23) wheels
Upgraded interior
Soon to have a kick @$$ stereo
82' Flareside with ZOOM ZOOM
2/4 Drop
Soon to have 325hp 351 Clevo
(maybe more,in a 3600lb truck)
Backed by a C6 with a 2000 rpm stall and a 3.50 9 incher
American Racing AR-23 (series 23) wheels
Upgraded interior
Soon to have a kick @$$ stereo
New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo USA
Automatic or manual transmission?
My Explorer has a stick and I love it. I actually learned to drive stick when I took it for a test drive. I just like the feel of having the power right there and not waiting for the auto tranny to do what it's gonna do. I don't much care for the stop and go with the stick, but I still love driving vehicles with sticks.
I don't mind autos, but if you have a heavy truck and have a smaller motor in it, an auto tranny is just a waste, IMHO.
I don't mind autos, but if you have a heavy truck and have a smaller motor in it, an auto tranny is just a waste, IMHO.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Automatic or manual transmission?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-May-02 AT 08:45 PM (EST)]With a Manual Transmission " You Drive" a vehicle.
With an Automatic you basically only, "Steer" a vehicle.
End of lesson.
[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
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With an Automatic you basically only, "Steer" a vehicle.
End of lesson.
[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=green]Do You Need To Decode Your 78 Truck Data Plate?
[/font
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html
[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven![/font]
[font color=green]Please Feel Free To Visit My Website.[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V [/font]
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Automatic or manual transmission?
mil1ion, you're absolutely correct. It's almost indignifying, in my perspective, to be driving an automatic!!! Driving is a bore in most situations at the very least. My good friend has a '99 Wrangler w/ 5 speed, and it's a blast. All I can dream of any more is a '73 F-250 with a 390 and NP435. (The NP435 was available then, right?) 
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mystic USA
Automatic or manual transmission?
If you're a "Manly man doing manly things" (as we used to say on Harley Road Trips) you want a 6 speed and a diesel! On the other hand if you’re married and SHE drives the truck on occasion and she doesn’t have hair on her chest she’ll want the automatic (and if you want to see that chest, you’ll get the auto!. Also I have a plow package and they recommend an automatic in that case. The diesel costs 4,000 more and although the sound does make my b’s tingle... just like the sound of a Harley, unless you really need the endurance of a diesel the V10 is the way to go.
Frank (Old Dog)
'02 F250 Lariat4x4 Crew V10-Auto Long Bed
'95 F150 XLT
Frank (Old Dog)
'02 F250 Lariat4x4 Crew V10-Auto Long Bed
'95 F150 XLT
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Automatic or manual transmission?
The stick shifters are looking strong. BTW for those who are fans of automatic trannies, if you never tried a manual, give it a shot, but if you simply prefer an automatic, that's fine. The automatic trannie is a pretty impressive device and when set up well, with good positive shifting, performs quite well. I will always prefer a manual, but to each his own. If I ever do get a bad knee/leg and have to have an automatic, I will want it set up for full manual shifting, with lock in on each gear--don't want that slusher kickin down to first on me when I have the lever in second (wife's Aerostar does, but motorhome's E4OD won't).
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 213
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From: Six Shooter Junction
Automatic or manual transmission?
Hey now, wheres the choice for the autos with manual valve bodies. Thats what I would really like to have, one of these I will.
Chase
1979 F-250 4x4
71 460 Holley650, MSD OFFROAD, L&L Headers
C6-B&M Transpack
Dana HD44Front/60Rear
35 inch Goodyear Implement Tires
4 inch Skyjacker System
Much more to come
[link:www.tarleton.edu/students/jwillms/ChasesOldFord.com|My Truck]
Chase
1979 F-250 4x4
71 460 Holley650, MSD OFFROAD, L&L Headers
C6-B&M Transpack
Dana HD44Front/60Rear
35 inch Goodyear Implement Tires
4 inch Skyjacker System
Much more to come
[link:www.tarleton.edu/students/jwillms/ChasesOldFord.com|My Truck]
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Conyers,Ga.
Automatic or manual transmission?
I drive my work truck with a 13 speed tranny around Atlanta traffic 10 to 12 hours a day. That gives me all the shifting I want in my life time. I would get a automatic in it but it was a $12,000 option. I don't want any extra shifting so a automatic in my small truck is fine.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Automatic or manual transmission?
I am 35 and have never owned a vehicle with an automatic. Autos are just boring. A few years ago I had a starter go bad 100 miles from home and since I was parked on a hill, roll started it and drove home. That told me what I already knew.
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