What is everyone's opinion of the late-model manual tranny? I have one behind the 4.6L V8 and haven't had any problems with it. The only thing is I can only tow 3300 lbs compared to almost twice that with all else being equal except having the automatic.

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1997 F-150, 4.6L, 5-speed, lots of mud

 

PI,
They don't last when I use them. The clutch is part of the problem. It is too soft
and it slips under load. Mine started smoking
going up the hils at Silver Lake. My 4th gear
syncro is going and the second won't be far behind. It is under warranty and it will be going in for service soon. BTW they won't warranty the clutch.


Regards


Jean Marc Chartier


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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
and air box, K&N air filter,
Superchips




[This message has been edited by JMC (edited 05-08-2000).]

 

Use the Search function. There are very detailed (and often heated) threads on this topic here on this board.

As for the towing capacity -- the reason that auto transmissions have higher towing capacity is primarily due to the startability of the automatic. If you know that you can start your load without smoking the clutch (e.g.: if you're not trying to pull a boat out of a launch, or need to start on hills), your transmission is rated for the torque of the engine -- same as the automatic is rated for the torque of the engine. The manual tranny should last even if you were to drive it at wot in second gear -- and probably would last longer than an automatic driven in WOT in second gear.

Starting the vehicle is the hardest on the drivetrain, since it has the most mechanical advantage, so the earliest (lowest rpm) and easiest (least time slipping) that you can fully engage the clutch, the better.

Hope this helps.

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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS

 

Its hard to judge if a manual trans is good or not from the internet. I mean depending on other people's driving habits. I myself am not the best driver in the world but I do use my truck off-road in the mountains etc...

So it does see some tough times on the trails and although I don't tow a trailer or anything. I do use my truck to tow out stuck trucks from mud holes or whatever. About slipping the clutch, the only time I smoked a clutch is with my first manual car (I live in a mountainus area) but... oh well. It never happened to my truck and it has 3.08 gears + a V6.

Right now I'm almost at 40,000 miles and never had a problem.

Have a nice day! (I mean it)

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Formerly known as 4byFord

Check out my site: eph1fifty.cjb.net My email: eph1fifty@hotmail.com
1997 F150 4x4 XLT with ORP 4.2L V6 and 5-speed manual.

 

I've got no complaints, 42K on mine, and no problems and I tow also. If you plan on towing with a manual I would suggest getting at least the 3.55 rear, than first gear should be fine for pulling out tree stumps.

 

I have 3.55 gears right now. Like I said I haven't had any problems, but I'm wondering if I'm going to start having problems any time soon. I have just over 50k on the truck right now, and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I guess if anything happens I'll have to cough up the dough for a new tranny.
Thanks for all the input.


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1997 F-150, 4.6L, 5-speed, lots of mud

 

I have the manual with the 4.6 and just about 40k. No problems, towed a trailer from Michigan to Utah, and a friends boat a couple of times. The manual is ok in my own opinion.

While surfing I went to www.blueovalnews.com and found an artical on the next manual for the F150. It's not good.... They are having problems getting the new trans reliable.

Regards

Sean
SLC UT

 

I've had no problems with clutch slipping under heavy loads or while towing - I am quite happy with the 5spd. It does have the 3.55 gearing. The 5spd seems well matched to the 4.2 engine.

I did have a 3rd gear syncro problem which Ford fixed and so far, all is well.

........Scott



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2000 F150 XL, 4.2, 5-Speed

 

Synthetic gear oil is the best example of value and performance that I have seen to date.



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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 AW-Disc, 3.73LS, Skid, 7700# HD Towing, Chrome LT-245, Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, keyless, Toreador Red, called "Nick"

 

Manuals are the best ever, the tow rating that Ford gives for the manuals is stupid, the only reason they do it is to save money on warranty work. Rookies are always smokin the clutch, or ruining the tranny somehow, and Ford doesn't want to get stuck losing money on stuoid repairs. Let the rookies keep their automatics, but for the heavy duty work, let the true trucks keep the manuals.

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1997 Ford F-150 XLT Super Cab, 4wd, 4.6 V8
5 spd.