As a person who does not believe in the Automatic transmission, I really like the Ford Lightning. But why are they all Automatic. Does anyone own a stick shift?

Anti-Honda

 

They are all automatics because up untill this year Ford didn't make a manual for the 5.4. Now Ford offers a 6-speed for the 5.4 and the 6.0 in the '02 models.

 

Ford is offering a new 6 speed for the 5.4 & new 6.0 diesel motors in the Superduty, not the F150.I am pretty sure that the superdutys have always had a manual transmission available(my dads Y2k superduty with the powerstroke is a manual not an automatic.The thing is that everybody wants automatic transmission these days and finding one with a stick is rather difficult (it took my dad 4 months).

 

Ford doesnt have a Manual strong enough to back the torque of this engine. Anyone who thinks a T56 is strong, i will laugh at you. I blew mine into pieces in a Cobra.

You wont be able to shift a L with a manual like you do with a car.

 

indy shift paddles like the Ferrari???? now that would be cool.

at the SVT Experience in 2000, there was a prototype Cobra with this paddle shift idea - very, very nice. could be in the Lightnings future.

 

Paddle Shifter would be entirely cool. But, what are the odds of Ford implementing this in reality?

 

The Lightning never came stick. All Lightnings Gen1 or Gen2 have been Automatic.

 

Curious, did you have your tranny aligned or offset from the bellhousing correctly? The slightest mismatch will put strain on the shaft and every internal thereafter.

T56's are brutally strong, but then again how much hp were you pumpin through that beast?

Oh, and Mr. Anti Honda...

Nobody wants a manual in a Lightning. Drive one and you will buy it

 

the "throw" of the stick is too long to have a manual. I have a manual reg cab f150 and the throw is very long. Wayyy to long for a performance vehicle.

 

Wanted a manual but not available. Drove an '01 SD 6-speed but its an industrial tranny, not for performance, slow engagement, think it has a granny first. Paddle shifter is the hot ticket! I'm sure Dodge won't have any problem selling their new 6-speed hot rod. Manual control is required for anything other than straight line performance driving.

 

Exactly!!! the auto isn't to bad in the Lightning. The shifts are a little soft, but with a chip, they are suppossed to be much better and firmer. The stock F150 wouldnt handle the power and is VERY sloppy and long thrown, I wouldnt want it.

 

Little over 500hp and it went kaboom. Alignment was perfect on the sucker too. You will see 03's dustin them soon enough.

 

I wouldnt want my lightning any other way then automatic. First no one can shift as good as a computer. Second you wont ever miss a shift with an Auto which is what you want when drag racing. And Third get a chip and Factory_Tech valve body and see how your neck snaps from the shifts. Also just read all the post the manual throw of the shift is to long and would make our trucks slow.

 

Drove an `02 Carrera with the Tiptronic...it was the smoothest, sweetest shifting I'd ever experienced

 

i agree that an auto is the way to go for drag racing,but a manual is much more fun on the street,i had a 93 serria gt with a stick,i changed out the shifter and put an off-set handle on it and could shift with the best of them,i think it would be nice to have the option!!