I am new to this site. i have been searching around for info on how everyone likes the 6 spd manual. I plan on buying an 03 or 04 SD with a 6.0 within the next month or 2. I have driven a truck with the torqshift and i think it is an awesome auto tranny and i would be perfectly satisfied with it. but i enjoy being able to drive a manual using the clutch and choosing my own gears. how does everyone like the 6-spd? does it shift smooth or is it real slow shifting gears. etc. thanks

 

**also how is it towing with the manual. i plan on towing between 7000 and 10,000 with a small slide on camper sometimes also. thanks

 

Manual. No problems.

Pros: Easy smooth shifting, great for descending long hills without/minimal brakes, great control in slippery situations, bomb proof for power upgrades (is what I hear).

Cons: Heavy clutch if in stop and go traffic, slower shifting if drag racing.

I don't drive in traffic much nor do I drag race so I wouldn't want anything but this ZF6 manual.

 

I wish I would have gone with the stick for fun and $ savings as I don't drag race my current configuration. btw-The TS is the best auto I have ever operated.

 

You don't hear about many problems with the knee-banger tranny's and the people who own them, swear buy them. I drive one from time to time and they're not bad. I'm lazy though so I'm staying with the auto.

 

The Torqshift is (in my opinion) the best choice by far.

The power delivery of the 6.0L doesn't work well with a manual trans and I actually find it extremely annoying to drive. The 7.3 was much better with a manual.

Adding a tuner makes it a hell of a lot better, but the engine really shines when matched with the torqshift trans.

 

Love my '04 Psd 6'speed, its all control. You can actually use the tach meter, and you cant beat it for slow creeping, the low gear is a puller.

 

thanks for your input. sounds like you can't lose with this engine i think if i find a good truck with a manual ill buy it if not there are plenty of torqshifts around.

 

the ZF6 was a great choice for me - decending Mt Washington in 2nd is great, no brakes to worry about. It's smooth shifting, fun to drive, granny gear will climb trees and the turbo whistle.... lets just say it sounds like a jet winding it out. I just added the flashpaq and it was icing on the cake. Slow in a drag race compared to an auto? who cares, I'd have to get out and lock my hubs anyway LOL

 

Personal preference is the only measure
you're asking us to suggest what you will like and we can't !

Personally, Not even my sports cars have a manual tranny any more...
but that just ME !!!
the auto's selector (or in the case of the sports car, the "fake manual" shifter)
can hold it in any gear I want - or I can even start in 3rd if'n I don't want to wake up my neighbors in the morning

Another point - the Tow/haul feature of the torqueshift also gives you a LOT of engine braking control if you are in an extreme situation where it's needed (most of the time it's not)

good luck on YOUR decision just drive a few and realize that you will have it that way for a LONG time !

 

There are also a lot of benefits to having a torque converter (and to be able to control lockup through flash devices) in a turbodiesel application.
The Torqshift just does a nice job of keeping the engine in its sweet spots.

 

good point. im actually leaning towards the auto. ill be sure to put up a picture and stuff once i buy a truck

 

I have an 04 6 speed PSD and originally, I agreed with Vic: it was annoying to drive since it lacked the low end torque my friend's 7.3 did, plus it would "rev out" to 3500 rpm too quick.

So, since I have a friend at SCT with whom I worked at Ford (I think Vic knows Jerry) who flashed my truck with various calibrations and the annoyance went away, except for the need to constantly shift.

My solution -- I installed a 3.08! With the added low end torque of the new calibration (even the not-so-crazy one), I can sprint to 65 mph in 2nd gear and cruise all day at 1700 rpm at 75 mph while getting 23+ mpg.

The only thing I miss is the ability to do a 2nd gear start but now even "L" is useful I can LAUNCH past traffic in L and do a throttle on L-1 or even L-2 and have all sorts of fun.

BTW, my latest tankful running the equivalent of the Innovative "race tune" is 18.8 mpg running at 85 mph to work and lots of spirited acceleration in and around metro Detroit.

Also, I Vericom-ed it yesterday and ran a 14.85 @ 102 SMOKING the right rear (open diff) tire through 3rd gear. 0-60 mph was 6.7 sec with the wheel spin.

Almost forgot -- went to Muffler Dave's in Wayne, MI and had the particulate trap and muffler removed for a straight pipe and the EGT drop and power gain was great. It sounds like a jet now....perhaps not what I really wanted but for $50 it was worth it.

I can't wait until I put on the Snow Boost Cooler...more torque!!
BillWoeb

 

my 65 year old dad loves his auto - I keep my truck in it's "sweet spots" by myself :-)

 

I haven't heard of anyone complaining about the 6-speed. I have a torque shift and love it. Very strong tranny