auto vs. manual

[Jake]

O.K. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I have a question about the auto vs. manual trans.
I believe Smokey answered this before, but I can't find it(Please forward if possible)

IS THE AUTO AS STRONG/RELIABLE AS THE MANUAL?

IS ONE BETTER FOR HEAVY TOWING OR OFF-ROADING?

The reason for the ?'s... I ordered my PSD 6Spd on 7-31-00 and it came in today with the 235hp engine. The dealer has been great and offered to reorder the same truck in order to get the 275hp, but I am now considering the auto trans.( the better half, likes the auto also, not so crazy about the 6spd)
My fear is the auto may not be as tuff...I say this with regret because I have never owned an automatic, except in my work car, which has had 3 trans. in 2.5 years.

[kreynol2]

It takes more care and feeding, that's for sure. Heat is the main problem. If you can avoid it/control it/monitor it, it will most likely do the job, but you don't have those concerns with the manual. Sometimes, extra cooling in the form of a fan/extra cooler is needed for big loads or stop/go driving, which tends to heat up the tranny.

Up side - it is strong enough for my needs with the extra eye on heat, and my wife can spell me on drives.

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Kevin

[John Wallis]

I recently ordered a 2001 F350 PSD 6 speed. My thought is that the auto is pretty much stretched to its limit with the PSD @ 500+ torque. Probably fine for everyday driving, but if you are towing any kind of load, the automatic may be a problem down the road.

My present truck has a C6 with a GV O/D, good beefy tranny, and probably adequate for the 6.9. But it's a hassle to select the right gear for the conditions…looking forward to being able to just put it in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or whatever and not worrying about it shifting up or down until I want it to. If you check the past posts, you'll se numerous problems with the auto….very few with the manual.


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1984 F250 S/C Centurian 4x4, 6.9 ATS turbo, GearVendors, C6, 4.11 gears, 74K miles

There was a running change to the 4R100 auto transmission system about 05/00. An additional tranny cooler was added to the bottom of the radiator. This may have solved the previous overheating concerns? The auto is by far the most controlable in difficult 4x4 driving and towing in the mountains. It is simple and easy. It does take more care, like monitering the temps, and perhaps adding some aftermarket stuff (larger pan, synthetic oil, aux cooler, fan, filter).
However,the manual tranny would probably survive a lot more abuse than the auto and does not require any special attention.
But of course there are those cussing tobacco chewing rednecks that must have one of those stickshifters and foot pedals in their truck just 'cause . .....boondocker

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00F350,XLT,PSD,4X4,3.73LS,CC,SB,Auto, www.ford-diesel.com hat and license holders.

[DanL]

Personal preference (manual might be a litte better suited to the 275 engine). Plus, wives can and surely do drive manuals - the clutch is not very stiff. Finally, with the manual hubs, you get extra levers poking up. Just like the old days.

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2001 PSD F350, Lariat SRW SC LWB, True Blue/Med Graphite, 6 spd., manual hubs, camper pkg, trailer pkg/hitch, 6 CD, LT265, Tele TT.

[aces full]

Boxers vs Briefs......Blondes vs Brunettes......Yankees vs RedSox..... White Wine vs Red Wine......Dem. vs Reps..... etc etc etc

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'00 Excursion Ltd/PSD/WD Chip/Stull Billet Grill/ Turbo Lifesaver w/F1 Module, K&N Air Filter, Clear Cornering Lights-- I miss my truck!!!!!!!