I have a 2007 F-150 4 door 4X4 with a 4.6 L V8. I want to convert it to a standard transmission. Has anyone done this or know of what it might require and cost to do so?

 

Well I know 03 was the last year for an f150 to offer a standard with the 4.6l. You would have to see if it bolts up to yours first. Other than that you most likely can if it does match. I thought about doing that with my 89 firebird I had but never did.

 

You would definitely have to get a custom tune, because the PCM will go nuts when it can no longer see the automatic.

You will need a M5OD-R2 out of a 99-03 4.6 4x4 and pedals etc. out of a 05-08 4.2 F-150 with a manual. You will need a manual transmission flywheel out of a 97-03 4.6 Romeo (vin code W). I'm sure there are plenty of other issues.

 

Don't see why they stopped making a manual 4.6l anyway....or why they never made one with the 5.4.... I would love a 5.4 with a 5 or 6 spd in my truck. Would love a 6 spd in my truck right now too. About 2400 rpms at 75mph kinda sucks....its even 2100 at 65 which is kinda high considering my 04 heritage was like 1800 at 65.

 

They stopped putting it in the 4.6 (and never offered it with a 5.4) because the M5OD-R2 is a light duty transmission, and the extra weight of the NBS would have made its durability even more marginal. Sure, they could have offered the ZF out of the Super Duty, but it won't fit in the stock tunnel without mods.

 

They quit making them because of the reasons GLC mentioned and because hardly anybody bought them. I don't want a manual in a truck because it's just a PITA to have the center taken up with a shifter with a long throw. Unless you are towing every day on steep grades, I just don't see the advantage of it. Auto trannies are just getting so much better at it, there's no need for the manual. That's why the SD's have the tow/haul mode with the brake-tap downshifts, which further eliminates the need for a manual. Hell, even Porsche dropped the manual tranny as an option on the 911 GT3 this year, simply because the auto tranny (with paddleshift) is faster than the manual tranny. It's just a sign of the times that technology is surpassing the manual tranny in most applications.

 

I'm more inclined to say, pick up a 4.2l v6 4x2 F150 with a standard, and do a 4x4 conversion on it. Way less issues if you want to try something.

All you'd need is some front end parts, a new tranny... not sure about the PCM if it'd need a flash or not, but that's way easier to worry about than trying to adapt an automatic to a standard.

I know it's not a v8... but 4x4 is 4x4 and with a standard it's a whole lot better.

 

Oh yeah?

 

Why would 4x4 w/standard tranny be "better"? Because you like having to slip a clutch while climbing over rocks or when trying to get moving in slick mud/clay? I just don't see the advantage there. The torque converter is much nicer when moving up steep inclines and over obstacles, as it avoids having to work the clutch to avoid a stall. Again, using engine braking on a downhill grade is nice in a manual, but you can shift into a lower gear in an automatic as well, so not much difference.

If you like using a manual just to have a manual, that's fine, but it's not "superior" in my opinion.

 

if you have.....time, money, patience, and knowledge anything is possible with these trucks...imo