Manual or Auto?
I had no problems towing with my 4.6 and 5 speed. Even towed another truck with an extra engine in my bed. Wouldn't do it all the time. But it's all in if you know how to drive with a manual. But you shouldn't have any problems with an auto either towing just a boat.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 348
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From: Pennsylvania
If I was going to keep the truck for longer than I plan on it, I'd get an F250 with the ZF. I'm mainly looking to use it for what I want, and then when I go to sell it, have an easy/quick sell...and most people are looking for auto's. I love driving a manual, but sometimes you gotta make a sacrifice.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
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From: Joplin MO
It works out in the end - you will pay less for a manual up front. I bought mine in 9/06 with 55k on it for $7700. The same truck with a V-8 auto would have been over 10k. Over 5 years later, and with 150k on it, KBB private party is still $3300.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 348
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From: Pennsylvania
Like I said, if I was going to keep the truck to go to school with, I would have gotten a 5 speed, but when I get my car to go to school, it will be a 5 speed (WRX).
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,636
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From: Vernon, NY
The M5OD seems to be hit or miss. I'm not sure if it's the transmissions themselves or what. I have a '97 with 240,000 that is all original, at least I'm pretty sure, I bought it with about 45,000. I haven't been real hard on it, I drive the freeway to work everyday. I use it on the weekends to haul appliances and building materials for some rentals I have and to tow jetskis. I used to tow a big trailer that was usually about 4-5000 lbs. So it can hold up well under average conditions.
There are a lot of people who have had problems. This just anecdotal but it seems like the most common problem is the clutch slave cylinder leaking. It's not a small repair, the trans has to be dropped and usually the clutch is replaced since the trans is out anyway. There are others that have more serious problems, it's tough to say if there are more problems with the M5OD that the autos because there are so few of them.
The real problem is finding one with the options you want. I have been looking for one for a while now Supercab, 4x4, reasonable miles and few others and it as been hard to find within 500 miles of where I live. If you want a reg cab, 2wd, V6 there is a reasonable selection because they made them after 2003.
There are a lot of people who have had problems. This just anecdotal but it seems like the most common problem is the clutch slave cylinder leaking. It's not a small repair, the trans has to be dropped and usually the clutch is replaced since the trans is out anyway. There are others that have more serious problems, it's tough to say if there are more problems with the M5OD that the autos because there are so few of them.
The real problem is finding one with the options you want. I have been looking for one for a while now Supercab, 4x4, reasonable miles and few others and it as been hard to find within 500 miles of where I live. If you want a reg cab, 2wd, V6 there is a reasonable selection because they made them after 2003.
Ditto.
If all you are towing is 1500#, you can do that with a 4.2 or 4.6 with a M5OD. I did a lot of towing with mine - a 5x8 cargo trailer full to the brim plus a full truck bed - and got about 14 mpg on the highway doing it. Unloaded, I get about 16 in town and 20 on the highway.
From those two posts, I've pulled boats behind mine. We used to pull a 24.5' SeaRay behind our '99 v6 Scab F150 with the 5 speed... pulled it like a charm, even up the steepest boat ramps. On the highway it was fine. Usually the truck would be packed with coolers, fishing gear, and usually like 4 people. So a lot of weight, but the truck handled it great every time.
My '07 will occasionally pull a 16' equipment trailer with a tractor or lumber on it. Pulls it just fine.
Here's what I pull...
