I am leaning towards the V10 when I order my 2008 F350. My question is about transmissions. I have heard good things about the auto, but I don’t want to rule out the manual. It seems like the extra gear in the 6 speed might help wring out a bit more fuel economy. I have searched and I can’t really find much about them. My questions are, would I see a slight increase in fuel economy, how durable are they, are there any inherent problems with them, etc. I currently row my own gears, so the manual is no big deal, but autos are nice.<O</O

 

My $0.02 would be this.

Do you tow heavy with your truck?...if so...my thought is that a manual does NOT rob any HP from the drive train...so you'd be able to TAP all of those ponies for the task at hand...If I towed REALLY HEAVY...I'd want the 6sp manual...

Also when towing...you'd have COMPLETE control over gear selection...

Although I do NOT have a 3V with torqshift...I've read GREAT things about that combo and the tow/haul mode is supposed to be very good...

end of $0.02...

joe.

 

My understanding is that the 5 and 6 speed manuals both end at the same gear ratio. I like the stick, I've got a 5-speed and I didnt' even hate it when I was commuting in Northern Houston traffic for a year. The other thing I have read is that the 6-speed is supposed to be a better built tranny than the 5-speed, but I bought used so I bought what was available.

 

I tow, but not super heavy. This will be my daily driver. I have heard good about both transmissions, but the manual is $1500 cheaper and I had heard there was some increased MPGs with it.

 

I have an 07 v10 6 speed with 4.30's. I had to order it as no one had a gasser with the manual. I get 11 MPG around town shifting at 2K and I have gotten as high as 14.9 MPG on the highway. I have towed a 7K trailer and got around 10 going across the country. Oh yeah this is a 4X4 also.

 

They may call it a 6 speed manual, it even has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 on the shifter ****. But, it really is a 5 speed manual with a deep, granny low.

If you compare its' 2 thru 6 gear ratios, you'll find they mirror the 5 speed manual gear ratios pretty closely. There is nothing wrong with that, the deep 1st gear will get a heavy load moving with very little clutch slippage to engage the gear.

Now, finding 2nd after coming out of 1st is fun. Coming out of 1st throws the stick up to the right in a diagonal line. But 2nd is actually more sraight up, kinda like a dog leg, so holding the stick in a straight upward line and trying to hit 2nd and not go into Reverse or 4th while coming out of 1st takes some practice. From a standstill, going into 2nd and not Reverse when you're in a hurry makes for some interesting moments as well! The "that's not iiit!" thought comes to mind quite a bit!

Trueth be told though, you'll more than likely, seldom, if ever, use 1st unless you're hauling or towing heavy loads.

I've been rowing gears for over 200,000 miles between 2 different Ford trucks over the last 14yrs. And it doesn't matter to me what the traffic conditions are. If you live in an area with lots of stop and go, and you've never spent much time beside a stick, think hard about your decision.

The ZF6 manual offered in the SD is a great manual transmission. Ford tests their manaul transmission equipped trucks hauling a load weighing 1000lbs over what they rate it to haul, while going up excessively steep roads. They do this to ensure the clutch will not slip and the transmission will do what it was designed to do. It is a great, light duty, manual, and if you like rowing through the gears yourself, you'll have a good time with this one.

Enjoy,
RustyFuryIII

 

Truth be told, the auto will deliver better MPG. The brain/CPU works in unison in perfect harmony and can control the best pattern in combination needed for shifting. And yes, I do have the 6-speed manual in my truck. The manual does allow for better control of shifting as far as down shifting or streching out a gear to the max. but, MPG goes to the auto. The manual is fun to drive even in traffic (keep in mind I also own an auto PSD if the fun gets old). The shifter shows 1st thru 5th gear with R for reverse and L for deep LOW. And yes it can be a buger finding 1st when shifting from LOW or at the very least...interesting. You can save some big $ going with a manual, however, as I understand it to replace a clutch or throw out bearing can get expensive very quick. On the other hand to have the auto rebuild can dig deep into the pocket also. Bottom line the choice is yours (maybe). You say to row the gears is no problem, but the auto is nice. Is there a spouse that may need/want/wish to drive the truck? Can he/she (trying to stay politically correct) drive a manual transmission) if the need should arise? How old are you, how often do you trade vehicles, will the manual get old and turn into a PITA a few years down the road?
As for leaning towards ordering the next truck as a V-10...that should be a no brainer, hands down, heck what did you expect, your on the V-10 Forum.
The trannie is a personal choice, we will respect you either way...as long as it is a V-10

 

Mine is marked L-1-2-3-4-od

I was told that the ZF-6 was a commercial truck transmission, just happened to find it's way into light duty trucks. Guess some people will tell you anything to get you to buy. I actually ordered mine with the 6, would have no matter what line of BS I was given.

 

Isn't that granny low a speed? Why is it different than the other ratios?

Why not call it a four speed with overdrive and granny low? How about a one speed direct drive with granny low, three underdrives, and one overdrive?

As you probably can tell I can't understand why a trans with 6 distinct ratios can't be called a six speed.

 

It is a 6 speed. Low is a speed. It is a VERY low, slow speed but a speed none the less.

My truck will run to the rev limiter at 15 mph in L and about 7-8 mph in 4L-L.

Is od a speed? It drops the revs by about 1800 from 4th.

 

He just wanted to make sure the OP knew what the gear ratios were like in the 6-sp trans compared to a 5-sp.

Don't read into it too much or take things so literally!

Call it whatever you want to... Ford calls it a 6-speed.

 

It would be so sweet if it were a 7 speed with double overdrives. A 0.50:1 7th would really help highway mileage.

 

Even with the 5-speed I have only used 1st gear a very few times and then mostly just to see if I could jump at a green light faster then the Cheby who was reving his engine next to me.

P.S. I did succeed once and just lit the tires up the other time.

 

A friend has a 6.0L with a six speed. Whenever I drive it I always use L. Everytime I drive it there is an 11,000 pound trailer connected to it. I use all six gears, and sometimes reverse, too.

 

Jonrjen, that is a good point. The reason I am considering the manual is the cheaper cost. I just wasn't sure if there were some MPG benefits. There is a spouse and she doesn't drive a manual. This has caused some inconvenience sometimes, since I currently drive a manual. I have driven one for 14 years now and over 200,000 miles, so I guess I am pretty used to it. To answer your other questions, I am early 30s and I tend to hold onto vehicles a long time. I do drive in quite a bit of traffic here in Western Washington. Seems like more so everyday.


I should probably pony up for the auto, since it seems they are just as durable and there are no glaring issues with them. The V10 makes sense, if nothing else because I am tired of driving underpowered trucks. I had a Full size Chevy V-6 for years and will never go with a 6 in a full size again. There doesn't seem to be significant mileage differences between the V10 and the 5.4. It seems like a good, strong engine. I have test driven both and of course the V10 felt better. The diesel would have been an option if the fuel economy was better in the 6.4. I know the fuel economy will be bad since they are heavy trucks, but having made the decision to make A Super Duty my daily driver, I just wanted to see what my options are. Thanks for all the good info.