Anyone have a 2005 F150 [2W drive] with a manual tranny [V6]?

How do you like it?

 

I don't believe that Ford has started manufacturing the 5sp Manual in the 2005 yet. I have checked for availabilty and have been told as of a few days ago that they are not yet available. I too am wondering about people's impression of this combination. Should I be one of the first to purchase one, I will let you know how it goes.

 

The 8cyl 4.6l has depressing acceleration, why would you want a 6cyl 4.3l? I do understand that the stick will improve the get-up-&-go of it but would be harder to find a 6cyl also, I think.

 

I understand your point. Personally, I am leaning toward purchasing the 6cyl because 1) it's the only engine available with a manual transmission, 2) the feedback on this and the other F150 forum I participate in is that the 4.2 is a solid and dependable engine that responds well to "improvements", and 3) I am hoping that the weight penalty of the 2005 vs older models is minimized in the standard cab/short bed combo.

 

The reg cab short box should not be any heavier than my 99 supercab. I also have a Leer hard tonaue cover on it and performance is fine. I can take V8 auto's in the stop light drags with out much problem. My 99 weighs in at 4650 lbs with 1/2 tank gas on the local trucker scale.
Dan

 

99F150 -- I looked up the 2005 4.2L V6 Manual trans curb weight on the Specs page of this site, and it was listed at 4615 lb. Just barely less than your 99 super cab with Leer tonneau. So if you say that your 4.2 provides enough pep for you that makes me feel a bit better.

 

Forget the manual version if you intend to tow anything substantial. It's the very same transmission Ford has been putting in their F150's for the last 16 years. No improvements here for a truck which has everything else made heavy duty.

I'd personally go for the automatic if buying the F150 - and I love manual transmissions. V8 availability is part of the reason no doubt, but the other is
that I would not want a heavy truck like this one, equipt with a beefed up Ranger
transmission. It also has poor ratios IMO. First is too low for any kind of speed, you move about 70 ft and then you need to shift. But it's also way too high for pulling any loads without slipping the clutch quite a bit. Overdrive is too low as well - .80?

They need a 5 or 6 speed transmission like this;

Granny first for heavy load hualing/towing
3.30:1 or so second gear ratio for good empty/unloaded starts and gear speed pulling
Nice high overdrive for fuel economy - maybe .66:1 or so.

I mean with a truck which can carry 3000lbs and tow 9900lbs, it seems rather ridiculous to neuter all of this capability with a weak mini truck transmission.

In short, you'd be getting a truck which is otherwise over engineered in every regard, but the transmission. Go automatic and forget the manual in this truck unless you will never tow anything more than a pop up tent trailer.

 

I doubt if you took on a 5.4l, you would beat them.

 

Megalodon1 - I think you have some good points. However the only way an F150 is going to carry 3000lbs in its bed is with the heavy duty payload package. The vast majority of F150 buyers (I'd guess 90%+) do not get this package. That means that 90% of F150 owners have "neutered" their truck from the start. Further, the 4.2L V6, manual trans-equipped F150 has a GREATER payload capacity than the 5.4L-equipped, non-heavy duty payload model. Now for towing, forget it, the 5.4 V8 kicks serious but. Since I have no plans for any serious towing, that is a non-issue for me. Everything I haul goes in the pickup bed.

Your point about the clumsy and outdated 5sp tranny is well taken. That is indeed a bummer. There is compromise in nearly every choice we make, and what I finally choose is up in the air until I put that down payment toward a specific truck. In the meantime, it's fun to weight the pros and cons of each engine, transmission, bed length, body style, etc.

 

Can always have a new one installed aftermarket

 

I understand that they need a stronger trans but come on a granny gear for the F150 soccer dad trucks for what to move more groceries.Ya maybe a taller OD and a lower 1st gear but hey that 6.69 granny I have in my truck would just make the truck more gear spread and drop the acceloration because that granny gear takes away from the soccer truck drive ablity in gear splitting.They should do what dodge did and go 6speed in everthing an lower the 1st from 3.91 to about 4.6 or so So that the weekend warrior can pull a boat up the ramp without a clutch smoke show- been thier seen it many times.That gear reduction from 3.91 to about 4.6 would boost towing a good deal. like from 3500 to about 5500 which is all the little 1/2 ton is ment for anyway. I would put a lower reverse like about 5.3 or so because The F150 4.6 I drove It was eather slip the clutch or back out of HEB parking lot about 30MPH so ya lower reverse a good deal it would make clutches last a while longer
Dustin

 

I agree a 6 speed from the f250 would be perfect. the 1st and rev. in my 99 are way too high for a heavy trailer with my 3.08 rear gear. If I had the low 1st gear my other 5 ratios would be fine.