If my "stocking" dealer had the same truck with a stick I'd have bought it.

 

Exactly my thoughts. Ford floods the dealerships with autos so when a buyer comes looking for a stick and cant find one they end up settling for an auto instead of going through the process of ordering one. Exactly why I have ordered all my trucks. It seems to me that Dodge stocks a lot more manuals at their dealerships so in turn they sell more. Maybe if I hit the powerball I can figure out a way to fit a 6 speed behind the new scorpian diesel.

 

I'm sure they will survive, at least Jeep, Viper and Dodge trucks will. I can say less about other nonsense they build.

 

I think this may prove to be a poor decision. They may not sell like the auto's do, but there will always be a "need" for a manual. And people will vote with their wallets. I think Ford may be getting a little cocky...

 

I am involved with rv's and I know Dodge trucks that pulled any weight had to purchased a stick because the auto could not take the work pulling. I had a Dodge and know first hand. I purchased my Ford with an Auto because it makes the job easier on the driver. I can drive 16 hrs and not be as tired as I was shifting. I did it for a living and when I drive my truck now I want no part of a clutch. Now I sit back drink my coffee and drive down the road very happy. I could not ask for anything better than my 6.0 and my diesel. For you people that want a stick if that makes you smile buy one and enjoy it.

 

I think I can speak for all of them when I say..."we'd like to"

 

I now prefer an Auto, but hate to see the manual go.

Back in 2005 when I purchased my 2003 SD...first truck with an Auto (see sig)...I wasn't sure if I would like the Auto. At the beginning...I would still want to push in the clutch. This is going from my '76 F150 with the very trusty NP435. Over the years...I have come to appreciate the Auto.

My next scheduled truck should be a NEW 2011 SD CC 4x4 with the new 6spd Auto. Not sure if it will be the F250 (with rumored IFS) or F350 solid axle.

YES...I am brand loyal!


biz

 

Though my truck is automatic, I will not buy another one. Love the truck, hate the automatic. Bouth an auto cause the dealer had it. If they had the same truck with a manual trans would have bought it instead. I have yet to ever drive any truck with an autothat I liked. They hunt for gears continuously and have slow sloppy shifts. Plain and simple, i want to select my own gears, doesn't matter weather i'm in city traffic or on the open road, i want manual, there is a reason that 3 out of my 4 vehicles are manual shift. actually had to pay an extra $1000 to get the manual in the newest one. I will absolutely will not buy another automatic anything. If the truck manufacturers quit selling manual trans, it goign to be time I build my dream 77 F250 highboy.

 

autos suck. thats as suttle as it gets. il die with a my shiftr in my hand lol. we have 2 auto 08s and mine is a manual. all are nice trucks but uck ones even spartan tuned and i just dnt like it. they will always be just slop boxes to me. i drive semi all day and jump in my pickup somedays and drive a couple hundred miles and i just idk.. itl never get old. sorry if im rude but thank you

 

Based on your siggy you had the older auto and that is true, those do suck.

 

I wouldn't count on dodge trucks to survive, buyers tend to shy away from vehicles that you can't get parts for. having to scour dark corners of the inter net to find simple parts to keep them on the road is not a good business plan for a manufacture. Simple things like blower motors, ignition switch's, front end parts, interior pieces, have all been in short supply for the last several months but since their bankruptcy it has gotten even worse. We are getting quite a collection of disabled dodges waiting for repair parts and all of our year old or newer dodges are waiting on permanent back order for emission related parts on warranty. So if you can't live without a stick after 2011 buy 2 or 3 dodges so you can still have something to drive while you wait for parts, or just suck it up and enjoy a nice smooth shifting tough built Ford Truck.

 

I have had both,,,04' V-10, 6-speed, w/4:30's,,,was a great truck,,,even plowing snow with it,,1st to R,,was easy and low enough to take off in most stuations,,,Not as complicated as the Auto,,as far as sensors, electric solenoids,,etc,,,,But sometimes it did not want to go into gear very easy,,,clutch in,,,,HMMMMM,,,finaly it would go!
Also my driveway is steep,,,mailbox at the bottom,,,get the mail when I come home,,,steep hill and E-brake on a heavy truck,,,, wanting to roll backwards,,could work better !

That being said I now have a 06' F-350 Six-O, TS auto,,,,this has been a great transmission! Pull's like a 20 legged Mule,,,shifts nice,,,does'nt hunt like my 99' auto did,,Tow/Haul mode is awsome,,,when stopping w/trailer,,easy to park on a hill,,,even Hooking up my snowplow,,slight up hill spot,,,drive up to MY 9' Fisher MM plow,,,leave the truck in drive,,Ideling,,,,get out,,wiggle the plow,,,(if I am lined up correctly) the truck pulls right in and stops,,,,CANT DO THAT WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION !!

I think Ford should still offer the Manual tranny,,for those who want it,,,,will that prevent me from buying a New Ford SuperDuty,,,Not at all,,,the Price will $$$ !!LOL

 

Most people that do complain about the auto hunting for gears all the time had the older trannys and thus basing their opinions on the older trannys.

 

Yep I would agree tex!,,The Torq-Shift is nothing like the older 4R100.

 

FYI.... some have stated "hunting for gears" ??? (on edit - others type faster than me )

that is the pcm telling you that no matter what you think,
you are NOT in the correct gear for the conditions,
such that it is not at the peak torque spot
(the sweet spot) for the hill, load, speed, whatever....

Not that it NEEDS fixing, but one way to improve that is a SCT tuner that livens up the torque and locks the torque converter in the higher gears....

talk about a nice push when rolling along @ say 50 and pushing on the pedal creates a nice strong push like turning a rheostat without any downshifts, noise

can't tell you the number of times I've head "WOW!" outta my passengers