Stick or Auto?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Stick or Auto?
We are building a chapter-sponsored truck to do trail rides and also compete in the street class at California, Nevada, and Oregon mud bogs. The truck we are looking to use is a 68/72 F250 V8 with a divorced Xfer case.
Our truck has to be 1975 or older to avoid smog testing problems. We have no experience with mud bogs or competition. Most of us grew up around farming, ranching, or logging so we do know a bit about 4wd.
The truck we are considering has a 4 speed stick, several members think that a C6 would be better. I don't know, but don't think we want to be shifting a truck 4 speed in the middle of a mud bog.
What do you guys think? Does anyone on this forum compete, and, if so, what is the best transmission to use? Why is it better?
Thanks
Our truck has to be 1975 or older to avoid smog testing problems. We have no experience with mud bogs or competition. Most of us grew up around farming, ranching, or logging so we do know a bit about 4wd.
The truck we are considering has a 4 speed stick, several members think that a C6 would be better. I don't know, but don't think we want to be shifting a truck 4 speed in the middle of a mud bog.
What do you guys think? Does anyone on this forum compete, and, if so, what is the best transmission to use? Why is it better?
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
There are a couple people on here that do cometitions professionally, and they will be able to tell you what you need to do to the transmission to make it take the abuse.
I'd want a auto, and the C6 is a good choice.
I'd want a auto, and the C6 is a good choice.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Thank you - We are not pros, this is just a fun chapter project. We will be using stock parts, or aftermarket parts we can install along side the road. Mostly we want a stout 4wd that we can let anyone drive in very rough country.
Do you normally drive an automatic? Why do you think an automatic would be better? Not arguing, just seeking information.
Do you normally drive an automatic? Why do you think an automatic would be better? Not arguing, just seeking information.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Clint, the reason that mud boggers run autos is that keeping up wheel speed is critical. Taking your foot off the gas is a big no-no and a manual (especially the old cast-iron beasts) takes quite a bit of time (compared to an auto) to shift.
I love driving a stick - I am going to convert the Bronco to a 5 speed eventually. A mud bogger is about the only place I'd ever use an auto.
I love driving a stick - I am going to convert the Bronco to a 5 speed eventually. A mud bogger is about the only place I'd ever use an auto.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
a well built C6 hands down! no shifting and you CANT kill it! unless it over heats. you can beat the shnot out of it and it still kicks! just ask KO for details! lol
a good shift kit, stall converter, R code servo, and heavy duty bands and that thing would be killer in the pits! hell if you wanna get trick get a fully manual valve body.... you get all the advantages of an auto with no speed loss b/t shifts but the fully manual aspect that you get to choose the gear!
-cutts-
a good shift kit, stall converter, R code servo, and heavy duty bands and that thing would be killer in the pits! hell if you wanna get trick get a fully manual valve body.... you get all the advantages of an auto with no speed loss b/t shifts but the fully manual aspect that you get to choose the gear!
-cutts-
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
a well built C6 hands down! no shifting and you CANT kill it! unless it over heats. you can beat the shnot out of it and it still kicks! just ask KO for details! lol
a good shift kit, stall converter, R code servo, and heavy duty bands and that thing would be killer in the pits! hell if you wanna get trick get a fully manual valve body.... you get all the advantages of an auto with no speed loss b/t shifts but the fully manual aspect that you get to choose the gear!
-cutts-
a good shift kit, stall converter, R code servo, and heavy duty bands and that thing would be killer in the pits! hell if you wanna get trick get a fully manual valve body.... you get all the advantages of an auto with no speed loss b/t shifts but the fully manual aspect that you get to choose the gear!
-cutts-
But the simple truth is, if your even thinking of entering mud drags or bogs you just plain need a auto, sticks are great and I know guys that run them in the street stock class, but they usually are out of the competition after 2 runs (double elimination) unless they happen to run up against another stick shift truck. in superstock and above no one even considers a stick as an option unless you want to consider a Lenco a manual trans
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
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An automatic is the only way to go if you want to win in a mud bog competition. Trail riding allot of people prefer the standard. I run the street classes in mud bog competitions and run a 77 f-150 with a C6 behind a 400. I had the transmisson rebuilt and an auto/manual valve body installed. It allows me to run automatic on the streets and shift gears like a manual during competition all with the throttle pinned to the floor. I have been racing for about 8 years and have never been beat by a truck running a standard transmission. Shift time kills them and if you try and run one gear it is either to high or too low to run the whole track. If you are just doing it for fun and dont want to spend the time to change to an automatic then stay with the standard, but if you are like most people you would like to win and in that case go automatic all the way.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Thanks guys, C6 it is. We have a good one out of a desel setup that fits the 460. Skipped-link gave us a cam so I expect we will be a bit better than stock horsepower, but this tranny should work just fine.
It also has the advantage that almost anyone can drive it - the chapter is building the truck so we will be flipping coins to see who gets to drive.
On the trails we will likely let somebody's kid run it - kids fear nothing and will always push harder then any sane adult. Our first race is with the Nevada Chapter - they are not building a truck, but instead running their members. (NOT SKIPS!!!).
Should be fun for all - if we can even get them to show up!
It also has the advantage that almost anyone can drive it - the chapter is building the truck so we will be flipping coins to see who gets to drive.
On the trails we will likely let somebody's kid run it - kids fear nothing and will always push harder then any sane adult. Our first race is with the Nevada Chapter - they are not building a truck, but instead running their members. (NOT SKIPS!!!).
Should be fun for all - if we can even get them to show up!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
A diesel C6 shouldn't fit a 460. Bellhousing pattern is different, and the internals are different too, valvebody is a whole nother ballgame...
I mud bog with my diesel... works just fine with the stick, but, I'm not out to win races, and where I run, the pit is 260 feet, and there is a bottom you can get to... Next year tho, it's the 460 truck, and it's going to have a built C6 in there with 39" milis....
I mud bog with my diesel... works just fine with the stick, but, I'm not out to win races, and where I run, the pit is 260 feet, and there is a bottom you can get to... Next year tho, it's the 460 truck, and it's going to have a built C6 in there with 39" milis....
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
The tranny used an adapter plate to go to the desel - it was one of the origials. The member who has it rebuilt it last year, and seems to know what he is doing. We will buy the C6 that is with the 460 anyway - - -
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Yes, the diesels use an adapter plate, but, it is not to the 460 pattern, 4 of the bolts are in the same place, but, the dowel pins are different, and the Diesel transmission most likley isn't drilled for a starter.
I have both... If it was a bolt in, I'd not have had to search for 2 months to get a good core to re-build for my 460.
I have both... If it was a bolt in, I'd not have had to search for 2 months to get a good core to re-build for my 460.
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