I'm in the beginning stages of looking at buying an 06 f150 fx4 crew lariat.Here is my problem. I like shifting my own gears.I drag a boat to the lake about four times a month; weight on it is about 2400 to 2600 lbs; Besides that I will do some light hauling.I have been told that gas mileage is better on an auto tranny because it can shift and keep motor in its "optimum efficiency range" better than anyone that was manually shifting. I dont have anything to compare this with as my only other truck is a 1996 150 with 4.9 manual 5 spd.I dont even know what is available manual tranny wise in the set up I am wanting .I dont want to compromise reliablity and working ability in lieu of a light duty setup that gets better milage. I would rather have more than I need as opposed to just enough . your comments and input hopefully will steer me in the right direction...Thanks..... Forgot to note ;motor choice is the 5.4...

 

5.4 witth a standard transmisson is only in F-250...

 

Here we go...

Fellow handshaker lover, ford has never offered a fivespeed in a F150/Bronco with the big V8 (351/5.4L). Even in the 92-96 B.S., the stick 302s/300s were a minority. The 97-03 B.S. was "rare" with a 4.2V6, and even a slimmer percentage with the 4.6LV8. With the new body style trucks, the ONLY way to get a fivespeed is a XL, 4.2V6, 4x2. I feel confidant in saying that is less than 1%.

Here is one I test drove...







It was nice, but no comparison to our '97 4.6L, 4x4, XLT, M5OD. (which is equal to a 5.4 speed and powerwise)

Why is there a lacking from ford and chevy in the nice V8 stick halfton? My only thinking is that since it is such a small minority that are willing to love the clutch, they can get away with no production and force the minority to spend more on a heavyduty truck where a stick is *slighty* more available. I don't think they could ever drop the stick in a 3/4ton+ truck (well I actually hope) due to some needs that autos can't fill.

I would recommend a F250 5.4 with a ZF6 for what you want to do.

Adrianspeeder

 

even chevy no longer has a 5sp standard with a V8 trans in a halfton...Dodge offers a 4.7 V8 with 6sp in the ram...even the 5.7 hemi can be had with a manual trans ( 3/4 ton ) in a F-250 I would go with a V10 and 6 sp trans...the 5.4 is under powerd in a 3/4 ton.

 

Another thing is that the tow rating is much lower with the manual. Not because of the engine, but because of the transmission.

 

it really burns me up that Ford has the nerve to CHARGE you $1000 for the OPTIONAL automatic transmission on the V8's, yet there IS NO manual transmission

if they dont want to equip it with an auto, fine, but I think its pretty petty to charge for the option...

Oh, and I just bought an 05 150 in August, the lots were FULL of V6 sticks, even in colors, not just white.

So they do make plenty of them

 

yes lot's of 4.2 with 5sp...but not in a 4wd, or even with a 4.6.. my 97 4.2 5sp 4x4 was (bought used on the cheap, it died a long time ago ) a better truck than my 04..

 

trust me its not the trans thats weak its ford not wanting warrenty clutches

in my opinion the whole auto tow ratings being alot higher than the sticks is mainly a marketing ploy to sell the more profitable autos when in reallity the stick could tow just as much if not alot more and you dont have to worry about it overheating.

 

I can pull a greasy rag out of a rabbits *** with mine no problem. Go with the handshaker....

 

Okay, that made me laugh!