I hope this hasnt been covered before. Does the manual get better mileage that the automatic? Not sure I like the idea of a six speed shouldnt it be a three speed? Im leaning toward the manual. Is it any good for this engine or is the auto batter?

 

The TorqueShift transmission is a phenominal transmission. In my opinion, it is as equally impressive as the 6.0L itself. If it were me, I wouldn't buy anything but the TorqueShift. It is worth double what Ford charges for it.

 

#1 Most PSDs are auto, try to find a manual on a dealer lot.
#2 Do you enjoy being stuck in traffic with a six speed?
#3 How much does it cost to replace a clutch, and related parts?
#4 Auto is a better choice for towing, and easier on the rest of the driveline.
#5 Difference in fuel economy, we're not talking big numbers here (2MPG?)
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

 

Don't give'em any ideas!

It is worth double what Ford charges for it.[/QUOTE]

 

I am lucky in that I dont have to drive in trafffic. The clutch in my last car went 150k miles and when it was replaced was perfectly good, but as the transmission was out of the car it got done. I could tow my boat behind my Toyota Tacoma with a four speed no problem after learning how. I just wonder is the manual any good? Id never have one if I was driving in traffic.

 

For what it's worth: IMO the auto is great (fantastic) on my 6.0 although if you will be frequently towing a heavy load and don't mind jamming the gears, the manual could be for you. A friend has a 7.3 manual that tows a very heavy boat (13,000+ lbs) and that truck performs very well... He likes it better than an auto

 

Having driven a stick since the mid '70s and thinking at one time that there was no way I'd ever think an auto could out perform a stick, I have to say that I've had to eat my words.

The Torqshift is simply fantastic. Specifically when towing in stop and go traffic and pulling up hills, and holding back going down hills it is great.

Even at the dragstrip there was no way I'd want the manual.

It's possible that you could do a tad better mileage wise under the right conditions with the manual due to eliminating losses from the slipage of the TC. But out on the highway the TC is going to be locked up anyway and then it will freewheel and coast down the hills so it might even be a plus to have the auto on the highway - not sure.

But I'm so sure that all the pluses of the auto outweigh any possible improvement in fuel mileage that the manual might have. If I had to do it again I'd still buy the auto.

 

I LOVE MY SIX SPEED!!!

Read the posts. There's so many questions about the automatic. There's a lot of them that don't hold up. Many that do, but I think those are the drivers more in tune to the rig. Automatics haven't held up to Diesels in the consumer market yet. Not the Fords. Not the Dodges. And there's problems with the Allison behind the Dura-Izuzu.
My brother is a conservative driver. His Dodge 3500 is on it's third automatic. I have two friends with 7.3 Fords, both have had automatic issues.

I've only had my truck for four months, but towing, with a little different gear selection with the 6.0 and 6spd is the perfect match in my oppinion.

If you like a stick, then buy it. I doubt you'll be dissapointed. Grany low is just what it should be. Drive it like a 5spd. A little taller set of tires. (295's with the 3.73:1 rear gears will give first gear a little more legs) I wouldn't get the 4.10:1 rear gears unless you're working in the mountains.

As far as the clutch in traffic. It's not a heavy pedal clutch of 1970's Fords. I don't live in L.A. But I do travel through Seattle's worst once in a while. If I had to do that every day, well, I might like an automatic for what ever verhicle I was driving.

The best thing to do is go drive one. We can't decide for
you.

As for fuel economy, with only 5,600 miles on my truck so far, all I can give you are my numbers for an engine, (bone stock except for the Zoodad mod). Towing 1,000 miles two months ago, ~6,000 lbs. across Washington Cascades passes four times. Averaged 14.5mpg. Since then, empty without a canopy, I get 17mpg for the local county road and city mix daily to/from work. Best so far has been 19.5mpg on Interstate 5 in the fast and car pool lanes. -Canada to Tacoma and back. I expect that to improve a bit.

I'll step down off'n my soap box now.

 

I would generally always prefer an auto.. Especially in the commute.. But, this is my second 6.0/torqueshift and both have had, 'or' developed (later) the 'clunk' bang condition.. You may want to do a search on the topic.. Not all have it, but it can be pretty annoying 'and' loud at times, with some owners pretty upset to have laid down 40K++ to get a truck/trans that jerks and clunks.. Me included If they'd square away the clunks, I'd give it a SOLID ten!! If I were to have to buy a third 6.0 at this point, it would most likely be a stick.. The trans conditions/issues were ONE of the deciding factors for the trade off.. And with no fix in the near future.............????

........................HP........................ .

 

I own a Manual 6 speed and I love it as well.

I have owned auto's for years but I fugured if I was buying an F-350 6.0L PSD,CC, DRW there was a reason. It was cause I was pulling a 30' enclosed with my '86 Buick Regal drag car. My '01 Chevy HD was not cutting it. I could watch the trans temp rise evertime I hooked up the tralier. After all "heat" is the biggest killer of the automatic trans.
So I bought the 2004 F-350 w/ manual and it pulls my trailer wherever I want to go with no problems. Traffic is no problem you just figure out how to drive in it. take your time, if you like to tailgate then yes you will be shifting allot more.

I know allot of guys that pull big trailers with the Chevy's. I would say about half of them have had auto trans problems.
I pull a loaded trailer that weighs 12800 pounds w/truck it totals 21400 pounds.
I have heard great things about the new Ford auto's. Just have never driven one.

Also interesting is the F-350 manuals have a tranny cooler too.

 

I love my 6 speed also. Yes, It isn't as easy to drive as the auto, but I prefer the 6 speed. I ordered my truck with it, I actually hadn't even driven one with it until I recieved the truck. I went off the word of others on this site and they didn't steer me wrong. The only problem I have had was I killed it the first time I went to take off because I was in 3rd instead of 1rst. The gear pattern takes a little getting used to, but I love it now. As for shifting.....You usually only ever use 5 speeds plus reverse, which is a lot less thatn the 13 speed I'm used to in our grain hauler!

If you don't like shifting, or if you want a smooth flawless ride, then get the torqueshift. It is phenominal, but if you like more control, less worries, than the six speed is for you. IMHO Good Luck!

 

With the 6.0, the only good option is the AUTO.
The 6.0 shines with an auto and seems to struggle with a manual.....needing a lot of driver finesse and input to get power to the ground.

The powerband just isn't manual trans friendly like a Cummins.

Drive both. The auto is the only way to go. The manual is clumsy as hell.

 

Mileage can actually be worse in a manual if the improper gear is selected (very common). Sometimes a little more RPM dictates less load and less fuel consumed.
Anyway.....The auto is the only choice. It's smooth, strong, fun, reliable...MUCH better out of the hole and is the vast majority choice for resale ease.
Most people when shopping for a 6.0 will shun it for two reasons:
1: Becuase it is manual
2: Because it is not 4WD

A local lot has a hell of a time selling 6.0's that are either or both of these.

 

I drove a manual F250 before I bought the TorqueShift. Definitely like the TorqueShift better.

A side note on eating words, I once said (I think to you Daryl) I would never buy a Fumoto valve. I just ordered one.

Back to the point--get the Auto.

 

Not ever having driven the TS can't give any opinion on it but have towed a fair amount in mountains and flat with the manual. I haven't had any problems with too much downhill speed or ability to maintain cruising speed on highway. I feel that you have a bit more control or "touch" with clutch/manual than auto. (Had auto in F-150 with the 4.6...Way too small of powerplant for my trailer/payload.) Anywho I throughly enjoy the six speed. 6 speed been berry good to me!