Manual transmission still available?

[RonKZ650]

I tried the Ford build my truck thing on the internet and I seemed to come up with only automatic transmission available. Is this what everyone runs now? I won't be buying if this is the case as I've had my 97 for 11 yrs and hated it for 11 yrs thanks to the automatic. Never again.

[Justin C.]

Manual is definitely still available, it just depends though. It's not available in a King Ranch, and isn't available with certain options regardless of trim.

Justin

[torino73]

I have a brand new truck sitting at the dealership right now that I ordered 4 weeks ago, and I guarantee you it's a stick. I did the online build before I ordered the truck, and yes, there are several options that will rule out the stick- one of them is the supplemental cab heater, just as an example. You shouldn't have any problem building the truck with a stick, you just have to pay close attention as you go through the options, or it will boot the stick shift out. I think Ford is headed toward what Chevy has already done- that is deleting the stick in a full-size truck altogether. It makes it easier for them on the assembly line, and, because of the percentage of the population that cannot live without a cup of coffee in one hand and a cell phone in the other while driving, not many sticks are ordered anymore. If you are serious about ordering a truck, sit down with a reputable dealer- they'll be more than happy to help you with it.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by RonKZ650

I tried the Ford build my truck thing on the internet and I seemed to come up with only automatic transmission available.

Hand shakers with PSD engine are available in XL, XLT and Lariat trim, but several options are not available unless you order automagic tranny.

Seats? No captain's chairs and console - you're stuck with the bench seat (which I prefer, BTW).

Adjustable pedals? Nope.

Driver's Memory Pkg (for mirrors, seats, and pedals)? Nope.

Fancy trim such as XLT Sport, King Ranch or Harley Davidson? Nope - all require automagic tranny.

Do you need the 4.30 rear axle in the TowBoss pkg on a dually? Sorry, Charlie, but the TowBoss pkg requires automagic tranny in your Dooley.

Even the Tow Command pkg requires automagic tranny. (You can order the Tow command brake controller, but not the Tow Command pkg which needs the "tow haul" mode of the automagic tranny to work right.)

So if you tried to add one of those options to your truck on the build website, it probably added the automagic tranny for you whether you wanted it or not.

[torino73]

Like I said above- Ford is leaning toward eliminating the stick. They will probably continue to make amenities unavailable with a stick shift in an effort to get order numbers low enough to legitimate doing away with sticks altogether. Moo, moo, baa, baa- get in line with the rest of the lemmings. If yuppie America doesn't want it- you can't get it.

[jas10]

Torino,
Let me know what you think of the 6.4L 6-speed compared to the 6.0L. I had a 6.0 hand shaker but gave it up because it just didn't have enough low end power. I'm considering a new 6.4L 6-speed in the future, but I'm going to have to have a chance to take one on an extended test drive before I pull the trigger.
-john

[Airforce]

Yes I also want manual trans if I order one, but also find that there are too maney lack of this that and the other. I have been hearing over the years that the Ford auto trans aren't wonderful. It may make me go back to the Allison trans which I hear is better. I would really like to get a ( I don't know) 8 spd manual trans but.

[titaniumfan]

Coming from a 2006 Silverado LT3 with an LBZ Duramax to a 2008 F-450, I'd have to agree that the Allison 1000 is "better": 6 speed, better shift quality, and better tow/haul mode logic. The Ford isn't quite as nice but gets the job done and I haven't heard of any failures (though TSB 07-17-3 does address shift quality).

But the transmission is only part of the package, and the problem for me was that neither the 2500HD nor the 3500HD could *legally* handle the payload I needed (in case of accident, courts/insurance will nail you if overloaded). In fact, the 2500HD and 3500HD shared many of the same limitations, including the same small brake rotors, tires, and some other things which I've forgotten but were buried in the 2006 sales brochure. Dunno if the 2007+ Chevy/GMC redesign addresses this.

As far as the F-450 goes, it's a far superior package for me than either the 2500HD or the 3500HD. Yeah, the highway mileage isn't nearly as nice, but I chalk that up to 4.88 vs 3.73, 5 speed vs 6 speed, engine RPMs at 75mph, brick-like aerodynamics, and a much heavier truck. Now I have the payload capacity that I need and the brakes and turning radius are excellent too.

Just my .02. Your mileage may vary :-)

[zanegrey]

Hey Fella's,
I was able to build an 08' cab and chassis with Lariat trim & hand shaker!
Yes though, you can't get a lot of options like Captains chairs with center console, etc.
So far the 6 speed manual is great, just as smooth as my 06' 6.0 but with NO TURBO LAG!
It pulls more like my old 01' 7.3 PLENTY of low end and plenty of high end. I hauled cattle for the first time yesterday coming up from Denver on I-70 to Silverthorne (9.000 ft.) It pulled like a champ all the way back to the ranch and averaged almost 13 MPG (12.9)
As a side note, I bought an 08' center console on eBay last week and going to replace the 40/20 center console that you are stuck with. I'm told that it will fit but I may have to set it back on the two brackets so that it won't hit the hand shaker and make a little more room for the cup holders. So well see how the monster garage goes, I just don't like the 40/20 console it's too fat where you rub elbows all the time and cumbersome placement for cup holders. Plus with the new navigation system in the dash, you no longer have the slide out cup holders, so I'm hoping that I can solve this issue with the eBay new center "take-out" console. I see though that Ford deleted the clip holder on the top? Why do that, it was pretty handy on my 06'
I'll post a few pic's of the new rig with Bradford Built flat bed and center console conversion when I get it completed.

So take heart fella's, you can (for now) still get the 6 speed for us old school drivers.
You just have to settle for a little less than you are used to. Sorry, I'll just never go to the Auto. I'm too set in my ways no matter what anyone says about how "great" they are. Driving in the future will become operator-less if things continue, I like running through the gears myself....There's still a few of us around.....

Cheers from Colorado~
Leo

[troy520]

Hello, in my opinion, I wouldn't rule out the Torqueshift until you spend some time driving one. I was a die-hard manual fan until I bought '03 and '06 six litres with Torqueshift automatics. Really impressive transmissions compared to the four-speed auto in my '00. Very little left on the table compared to a manual.

[dwilliamsceg]

I have an 08 manual tranny. I love it. Much better mileage (17city, 22hwy) with 3.73 gears.

[RonKZ650]

God bless you die hard manuals guys. I suppose the new automatics work just great but don't you feel foolish driving one? I've felt that way for 110,000 miles now in my 97. Never felt right at all.

[torino73]

Rest assured. The 6-speed is great in the new truck. I have now driven 3 6-speed Fords, never had a shifting problem with any of them. They are a little rough when they are new, but they break in quickly. Go ahead and get it, you won't believe it.