I picked up a truck trend magazine to read an article about the new 5.4 expy vs the 6.0 suburban.

This is a division of Motor Trend magazine.

If you are interested in how the new 6 speed performs, you should read this article. They nearly 100% preferred the less powered and heavy expy with the 6 speed over the 6 liter sub. The sub had 4.10 gears and I believe the expy has a 3.55 rear. First gear in the 6 speed is a deep 4.xx gear and 5th and 6th gear are OD gears.

They felt like the expy towed and drove better all the way around esp in towing. They claim that the expy didnt have tow/haul mode and didnt need it. The 6.0 had a slight lead in the middle of the 1/4 but the expy was gaining ground.

Point of posting this in this forum, is the 6 speed is what I wish the F150 had now. It is going to be one of the two holy grail's of performance for these vehicles. IMO the other is going to be a diesel engine.

Its a good read to give you an idea of what to expect when the F150 gets the new tranny. Hope that the new unit proves to be reliable. Even thought the new tranny is not available in the F150 yet, I am a little dissapointed not to have one in my truck already.

 

cool, i really wish that ford would have dev. at least a 5 speed auto when they redesigned the f150 in 04. cant wait for the 6 speed!!

 

I dont know why they didnt consider the torqueflight. Possibly it was too heavy for the F150. I dont know anything about the dimensions. Surely the 6 speed can not be light.

 

FWIW - we just picked up an '07 Expy EL last week and LOVE the 6-speed transmission (among other things). I'm going to have to give strong consideration to replacing my SCrew when Ford puts that transmission in the F-150's. Funny thing is....I didn't think the SCrew needed any significant improvements but now after spending time in the Expy, I'm all for a 6-speed in our trucks.

Dave

 

Good info all. You Expy guys work out the 1st year teething bugs for us please ok! So its probably 08' to get an F150 w/ this tranny, and I'll buy one 1 year old after someone else takes the depreciation hit, so its 2 more years w/ my current truck, thats cool!

 

I know this is a little off-topic but. . doesn't the Explorer also have a 6-speed transmission? My girlfriend's parents have a new ED Explorer and its pretty quick and the transmission shifts PERFECT!

 

A friend just got an Expy EL, loaded with every option. The thing runs very well. I like the 6 speed. He sold a 2006 Infinity Q53 and likes the Expy better. He needed the extra room. The sticker price on it was a bit of a shocker to me, over $52,000.

 

It's the exact same trans but 1st and 2nd are slightly higher gears.