Are there less problems with the 6.0L & 6-speed manual transmission combination? I am going to order a new truck 2006 6.0L. I have a 2004 F-350 6.0 Fx4 cc. Have a Torqueshift that was flashed and it ruined the Tow/Haul function. Am probably going back to the manual transmission. This was the first automatic in about 35 years. It was great with original setup but after flashing the truck it removed the lower (3>2>1) downshifting and engine braking is not as it was. FMC says they can't restore it to original setup.

 

the one and only complaint i have heard about the 6sd is the lack of torque to get a load moving from a stand still. the 6.0 needs alittle more RPM's than the 7.3 to build power.

 

I have a 6.0 with a Torqueshift and it is great empty and even better with a big load. I find backing a trailer with a auto trans to be the easiest. This is the best combination (6.0 + Torqueshift) and most are order this way. It will also help resale. Go try one.

 

Bobcat,

I have a 2004 6.0L with Torqueshift now 27,000 miles, 21,000 of those miles with problems. This is the first auto in about 35 years. I pulled heavy equipment for years with a Freightliner tractor. Pull 30' houseboat, small 14' fishing boat, horse trailer and quad trailer. One thing I like about the manual transmissions, when backing I will shift into 4x4 low range not lock the front hubs. This allows the truck and trailer to creep ever so slowly. Forward or backward. Also I like the control the manual transmission allows when going downhill and using the engine compression to maintain speed instead of brakes. The Automatic I have was great at first but after FMC flashed it, I lost the lower gear downshift mode. Now only 5>4>3 no 3>2>1. One problem now with this reprogram Tow/Haul is if loaded with a cabover camper with or without trailer, if you want to gear down, you can't go from Drive to 5th 4th 3rd etc. It only allows you to downshift to 3rd from Drive. Not what I originally bought. It was a great tranny but now it is actually dangerous. I did drive a (2) 2005 6.0L F-350 trucks. Automatic and Manual transmission. The automatic that I drove was setup the same as my current truck is. Couldn't get it to downshift through all forward gears. Here in Northern California we have some very steep and narrow canyon roads, and the manual transmissions have always worked. If Ford can come out with the Automatic Torqueshift that they advertised, in Tow/Haul it downshifts through all forward gears may consider it again. I just don't think I can trust FMC to keep it operating as designed and advertised. They screwed my 04 torqueshift up and say they can't restore it to original condition that I bought. Now I hear they can. So maybe I will get someone else involved to get this problem resolved. I was wondering if the 6.0L Diesel with the 6-speed manual transmission has as many returns to service department for nagging problems. It seems that the computer programs in the Automatics are causing too many problems. What bothers me is you can have a truck/engine/transmission operating just fine, and then FMC gets some big idea to change what isn't broken. They break it and and can't step up to the plate and just restore it. They can do it but won't...go figure.
Ford trucks are still the best out there but can get so much better.
Bad new always travels faster than good news.

 

i hear you paclik. I have always had a manual truck as well, granted i've only been driving for 8 years, but having this automatic, even with mine working perfectly, i ordered a six speed truck. No matter how good they make it, and how good the electronics, in my opinion, nothing beats the control and knowladge that it will do exactly what you want, since you put it in the gear and made it do it.

resale ... it will definatly make it harder, but i hope to keep this truck for so long that that wont matter. its definatly a matter of preference, and if you dont mind pressing the clutch, and want to have control, jump on a six speed. i have converted so many people over to manuals, after burning up autos and getting in a stick shift and saying, hey, i could deal with this. after a couple months, they'll never want to go back.

 

There's a thread going in the buyers forum about issues with the manual transmission. The thing to remember is, even though the transmission is manual, the engine has a "drive by wire" system. Bottom line, a move to the manual isn't going to get you away from the long arm of computers.

 

iskybantilus,
I agree, I think the only way for me to get what I want is the manual transmission. As for resale, I keep them a long time.
1976 F-250 360 4x4 manual - 15 yrs 128,000 miles (father-in-law has had it since 1990)
1990 F-250 7.3 4x4 manual - 13 yrs 230,000 miles original clutch (had people crawling over each other to buy it from me)
2001 F-350 7.3 4x4 manual - 2 yrs 48,000 miles (lemon)
2004 F-350 6.0 4x4 automatic - 1 yr 27,000 miles (bigger lemon)
NEXT will be 2006 F-350 or F-450 6.0 4x4 manual

Thanks Polarbear I will check it out, I am concerned about the "long arm of the computer" But I don't think those engineers have programed the heated seat to also apply a slight electrical shock to your *** to make you shift the manual transmission.
I hope those rascawee engineers aren't reading this, don't want to give them any more dumb ideas to try.